I've been doing a lot of reading and organizing re: collecting miles for travel. I am looking forward to getting started but just wanna make sure my initial steps and introduction to collecting points are setting me up for long term success!

My main goals in collecting points:
1) I'd like to collect some miles for domestic travel for myself (thinking about moving to a new city so doing interviews and also visiting family at home)

2) I'd like to accumulate enough points for 2 RT economy class tickets to Europe, leaving from BWI/IAD/JFK for summer 2014 or Xmas 2014. My dad turns 60 this year and I'd like to arrange a trip to Europe for him and my mom using points that I accumulate.

Currently, I have a CapitalOne Venture card and somewhere near a 730 credit score (I'm in my twenties and also have a BoA Amex and have been tied to my dad's credit cards since I was 16--he has an excellent credit rating)

I was thinking about taking advantage of the Chase 50k Southwest card for myself (I live 2 miles from major SW hub; currently I can get to the main city I would be visiting for about 12-14K points RT, depending on Wanna Get Away fares). However, SW flights are domestic only and this 50K offer apparently ends this coming week.

I am spending close to 2500$ on rent and bills alone (neither of which are doing anything for me since I am paying straight from checking account). I have read about the Bluebird/VR manufactured spending and I am pretty confident that I am easily spend $3000 or more a month between VRs/Bluebird and regular spending to meet spend limits.

Is there another card that I could sign up for sometime over the holidays that will help me get started accumulating points? I've seen a lot of suggestions on blogs and here recommending the BarclaysArrival and the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

So long story short:

Should I apply for the SW card for myself and wait a few weeks before applying for another miles card that can be used for international flights?

Any feedback or recommendations for different cards/approaches to meeting my goals?

It's been great reading threads and learning more about the process--y'all are inspiring! Hoping to start my miles collecting and hit the friendly skies sooner rather than later!