I've done the connection in London many times. You do not have to go through Customs but you will have to go through security again. Your checked luggage will go direct to Rome.

There is normally a guard standing at the security check point that will let people jump the line if there is a long line and you don't have much time to make your connecting flight. The guard will check your boarding pass and if deems that you're cutting it too close he'll let you cut to the front of the line.

I haven't connected through London but regarding your air fare, I would say you might want to go ahead and take it. It sounds like a good one to me. I have been watching the fares for the last month and although I was able to get something slightly cheaper (but I'm leaving out of LAX), $750 still seems good to me. By the way, did you check Air France? They have been running winter and spring specials, including to Rome. Good luck!

I have changed planes in London and never had any trouble. Also, the shopping is great in the airport while you wait.

$750 seems high. I just paid $424 Northwest Airlines from a small town in Michigan and my daughter paid $393 KLM from San Francisco for tickets to go to Rome in Feb.

I've flown British Airways twice to Italy. I'd suggest holding off on a ticket for the fall for a while-at least till 3 months before you go. Sign up for their frequent flier service and they will email you notifications when they have a sale. I paid about $650 in October 2004 RT San Francisco to Rome.