What airport do you use in FL - or which might be convenient to you (for example - I almost always fly out of JAX but can fly out of MCO). Only reason I ask is some airlines work better than others out of certain airports - like AA rules in MIA but doesn't do beans here in JAX. How do you plan to get between cities in Europe (plane - train)?

There are some credit card deals that offer "status points" (like there was a Delta offer a while back). But the status points are separate from the mileage points. I've never heard of a credit card offer that made you instant platinum - but that doesn't mean it's impossible (just very very unlikely). And the lowest level of elite status on an airline will get you very little in the way of perks these days - particularly when it comes to international upgrades.

Also - since you're traveling in March - have you thought about the possibility of looking into sales on business first tickets? March is still pretty low season in Europe. Getting enough miles for 1 reward ticket - and paying for another on sale might work.

Note that domestic aircraft to Europe vary a lot in terms of comfort and amenities. Some are very plush - especially in the front of the plane. Some aren't. In some cases - you may be not be much worse off in the back of a plane sitting in a 2 seat row than you'd be in the front of the plane.

Finally - don't mean to intrude - but have you traveled a lot in Europe before? Only reason I mention it is Paris and London - while lovely and fun - are mind-numbingly expensive cities. Have you thought about someplace a little quirkier and a lot less expensive - like Berlin (which is the second largest city in Europe)? Don't know what your budget is for your trip - but I usually don't have much of a budget - and Paris gave me a nosebleed last time we were there in 2008. Robyn