I'm planning a trip from NYC to Italy. I can get to Milan or Florence via Dusseldorf or Berlin for 49,000 Avios (i.e., 35,000 MR points if transferred by the end of the week) plus $163 (or perhaps a few dollars less) on Air Berlin, or I can get to Milan nonstop for $632.30 on United or for $658.30 on Delta, Alitalia, or Emirates. (All prices round trip in economy.) So spending 49,000 Avios would save me $469.30 if I fly United or $495.30 if I fly one of the others.
Am I correct that, at these prices, the AB flight is no bargain at all, assuming Florence isn't considerably more convenient than Milan (it probably is not)?
So which airline do I pick? From what I've read (I haven't flown any of them myself aside from United, which didn't impress), I'm leaning toward Emirates. Thoughts? How do the KSML's compare?
If I use my Amex PRG to pay one of the non-U.S.-based airlines, will I be hit with the 2.7% foreign transaction fee? I wouldn't mind picking up 1975 MR points, but it's probably not worth paying $17.77 in fees to get that. (I could alternatively use the Barclaycard Arrival+, netting me $14.48 with no risk of a fee.)
Pardon the potentially obvious questions; I'm new to this stuff. Thanks.