I wanted to post results in case anyone else has this issue since I found a workaround.

I'd given up on flying and planned to have my husband rent a car one way and drive up solo. Then I read Jared's post yesterday (Online Travel Review) about booking one way awards on Delta by using Air France miles.

Signed up for an Air France Flying Blue account this morning. (FYI - 5000 point bonus for signing up; google for the code as I've forgotten it).

Called Amex MR and asked them if they could pretty please expedite linking my Flying Blue to my MR account. CSR was able to do it instantly. He then transferred 13000 points.

I booked the one way award on Delta this am for $2.50 in fees plus 12,500 Flying Blue miles.

Saved myself $383.

Anita