Answers to your 5 questions:
1)We would prefer coach class -- don't think we can accumulate enough points for first class, at least not in the near future.

2)Not sure I understand the significance of this question. I suppose I'd be willing to pay the surcharges if it pencils out to save money -- the bottom line is what it's all about.

3)Current Cards: --- We have just started acquiring new cards -- We're new at this game. For years,all we have used is the BOA Alaska Visa and it has served us well for their own flights (poorly for their partners). About a month ago we applied and received 4 Citi AA cards at 50k each (Visa & Amex for both myself and my wife.

4) We are willing to apply for as many cards as our credit will allow us to in order to get the bonuses. We put everything on cc, usually $5000-$7000/month, so it won't take us long to meet the minimum spending needing for most cards.

5) Our current goal is to get two tickets to Italy for next summer. We are frantically trying to meet our AA requirements on the 4 new Citi AA cards so we have the miles necessary to search through them. I think we will have them by Dec 1. -- we have about 180,000 miles with Alaska.