Making $1000 in purchases very soon. Best airline miles card?

I probably won’t be able to meet the $3,000–$4,000 spend required for many credit card sign-up offers. However, I do have a number of flights coming up next month for various occasions. And I have a long-distance girlfriend who I fly to see once a month. Right now, the option that seems to strike the best balance is the Capital One VentureOne card, which offers 40,000 miles after just $1,000 in purchases.

I have never entered the credit cards reward/miles realm and am a little overwhelmed by digging into it. I’ve done a little research, but I’d appreciate a quick CliffsNotes-style take on it.