My vote is also for the Citi AA card. 50k is an excellent start.
I also suggest you apply for the SPG again -- the current bonus is 25k. When you transfer 20k SPG to a partnered airline, you get an extra 5k. So, between your 50k from Citi AA and a 20k+5k transfer from SPG, both of you can have 75k in AA miles -- more than enough for a European excursion.
I live in the BOS/PVD region too, am also planning a European trip, and also using the strategy above right now
If you're creative with AA routing, you can even get a free leg to a tropical destination... but that's a post for another time.
Let me know how you make out with your AOR! Good luck.