Thanks everybody for the input. Just wanted to clarify where we are falling out bec i'm still a bit confused.

seg--flights--notes
5) mel-bme (need to check if this is seasonal; i don't believe it is)
14) lax-sjo (AA timetable does not list this as seasonal; the OW timetable i find to be quite useless)
15) sjo-lax (AA timetable does not list this as seasonal)
16) lax-dfw-gua(AA timetable does not list this as seasonal)
17) gua-mia-ewr (this flight is shown as eff Jan 31 so should be ok.)
18) ewr-mia
19) mia-hel (this is shown as nonstop MD11 so should have J class)
20) hel-dxb (this needs to change to ist)

SO BASICALLY if I change MIA-HEL_DXB to MIA-LHR-IST, then I should be all set. off to the races, flying the coop, ... taking off!

Unfortunately the mileage count is below the AA EXP threshold, but if I'm able to use Qantas link, i'm sure i'll be able to work something out for a bit more out of australasia.

thanks, will post the final itin when i figure it out.