Thanks for all the good information here. Lot's to think about. Going out of ATL is the easiest for us as we're going from FL. BUT, we have 2 granddaughters out on Long Island, a toddler & a newborn, who we plan to see prior to and after our Italy trip. That makes Newark a real pain to get to.
I have not checked to see if there might be better options from Orlando (2 hour drive) or MIA (4 hour drive) from us, or TPA (unlikely, but only an hour) and then just do the return to NY & see the grandkids then(But are fares significantly higher if different cities?). Wife hates flying ( mainly takeoff & landing) so want nonstop.

This one's easy - have to start working on flight to Japan for 2024 soon! :-) Have LOTS of Amex points, but I think best to save them for Japan.

(Retired, in good health, time to get lots of NON-BUSINESS travel in now!)