Emirates will start flying on 3/12 to Athens nonstop on a 777-300 aircraft from Newark.
(Think of the easy connection to TLV)
Best way to book it is via RT via JAL or via an open jaw ticket via JAL as well (which means u are returning from a dif. Airport)
JAL is a SPG partner & 20,000 SPG points transfer into 25,000 JAL miles.
When u book, u can book it a few ways both will be the same cost..
(Newark) EWR-ATH-EWR (and u book on the cheap some elal "up" or some aegean airlines flights to connect to israel)
JFK-Milan
Athens-EWR (newark)
U can mix & match...
The JFK-MXP (milan) route is an A380 & has a shower on board in first class.
Roundtrip in first is 100,000 JAL miles or 80,000 SPG + about $40 in taxes max (will be a bit less)
If u only need a one way.. best way is via JAL as well.. but its gonna cost u 90,000 miles. For another 10,000 u get a roundtrip ticket