ATL-EWR-FCO, FCO-{?} using NW miles
 

My girlfriend and I are looking to travel to Rome in December using my (~150,000) NW miles. We plan to depart 12/25 and return 1/1.

We'll be traveling from and returning to ATL. Using nwa.com I've found a good outbound flight departing flight on CO (ATL-EWR-FCO):

Thur, Dec 25
Continental Airlines 84
Booking class: E/ Business
Continental Airlines 40
Booking class: E/ Business

The above selection burns 100,000 miles, leaving only 50,000 for the returning flight (for the two of us). However, I have some flexibility on the return: I can use credits to fly anywhere FL flies. Combining this resource with my NW miles results in the following return itinerary (FCO-CDG-MSP w/ 50,000 NW miles, MSP-ATL w/ FL credits):

Thur, Jan 1
Air France 2305
Booking class: X/Coach
Northwest Airlines 61
Booking class: W/Coach

Thur, Jan 1
AirTran Airways 857

The above schedule works, but I wonder whether I can do better. Does anyone have a (better) alternative for the return? Again, I have 50,000 NW miles to get two people from FCO to anywhere FL flies on 1/1 (or 1/2 or even 1/3).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I see NW availability on Jan 1 for FCO-AMS-ATL. You'll pretty much have to go directly from your New Years celebration to the airport, as the flight leaves at 6:10am, but you get to save your FL points and you go straight back to ATL. The flights are KL1596 and KL621. Same flights are available on 4 January if you want to stay in Rome a bit longer.

If you want to keep your CDG/MSP routing you should be able to add NW1432 or DL1063 on to the end of that trip to get you back to ATL without needing to cash in the FL points. Both show availability right now for MSP-ATL.