Anyone who can work a miracle with Delta will have you in their claws forever, I am sure, Mark ;) :D

I have worked with both Gary and Ben in the past, with great results. I think my better luck with Delta the 2-3 times I have used points with them to Africa has always been paying the cheapest fare I could get and upgrading (on my own thru Delta). Otherwise, I'm sure you remember the "other side" of the stories from Frank V and me about how they gouge for award travel, even worse when you fly from 2 different "zones". Since they are not a local airline for me, I no longer even use the AMex Delta card.