Plan "A"
Get an MBNA/TWA Aviators Visa/Mastercard that gives 1 mile for each dollar and 5000 miles for accepting the card.
Plan "B"
Get a Citbank/American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum Visa/Mastercard that gives 1 mile for each dollar and 7500 miles for accepting the card.
Plan "C"
Get an American Express/Sheraton Starwood Optima Card with no annual fee in your mother's name and get a 2nd additonal card in your name also without a fee. Get 1 Starwood point for each dollar. The points can be converted into either TWA or AA Miles.