you may also want to look at using your *A miles and go on LH. see you are in NC (but don't know which city). we went back in may on LH from CLT, connected in MUC (much better than connecting in PHL), and were able to pick from many more cities than just FCO and VCE (we went into NAP and out through VRN) 80,000 each for the new LH biz seats. plus the wireless internet let me catch up on all my business email over the atlantic (for only $30)