Quick update here:

My dates are still flexible, but would like to go the second week of May, so that I can have my trip coincide with my uncle's.

I applied for the AA card with Citi and was denied, am going to try to get them to reconsider, but as of now that's where I stand with Citi.

Got approved with Barclays USAir card for 40k miles. Can I use this to get one-way? I tried searching their website, but can't seem to find anything.