I'm afraid earning and then redeeming miles for a flight in October may prove difficult in such a short time frame. The award availability alone will make it difficult, but not impossible. Your best bet would be to apply for something like the Chase Sapphire that allows you to use your points toward purchased air fare. This would greatly increase your options.

And I +1 User Name's comment on research and reading. Pretty much everything you need to know is on this one site.