Thanks, findark. The prices are high for me because I fit in category D and maybe even category A (since it's in September and not October or November). We're not in category B as it's 8 months in advance and we're staying 10 days (Thurs-Sat). I worry too much about finalizing details to wait too long for sales/category C...

1) I did see the $4000 J class fares (that's the out-the-door price with taxes/fees) but I don't want a 21 hour layover (to be fair, I don't even want a 6 hour layover!), 2) I didn't check other Italian airports as I didn't want to get on a train for 2 hours after 15+ hours of travel, and 3) We are traveling on a Thursday but returning on a Saturday, which I recognize isn't a "good" travel day but I didn't want to fly that far for just 7 days (if we left Thursday) and we can't stay longer. I recognize that's being indulgent, but we don't travel very much and are not seasoned travelers.

I know we are not likely to get the upgrades, but everyone said the same thing when we went to Taiwan and were all shocked we were upgraded. I think I'll just buy it since we are so restricted. Thanks all!

Fingers crossed we get lucky again!