I've decided on the Wyndham Rewards Visa, which gives me 2 free nights stay after first purchase, as well as 1 free night after spending $1000, it has a non-waived $69 annual fee that I will have to pay for the 3 free nights.
I'm thinking I'll also go for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, which will give me 50k rapid miles(only usable at southwest airlines) after spending $2000, it also has a non-waived $69 annual fee, but it will get us there and back with the 50k rapid miles.
I'm going to have my girlfriend get the Barclaycard Arrival Basic, which gives $200 after spending $1000(we won't spend enough for her to get the Plus card). This will pay for a portion of the car rental.
I'm hoping if I get these cards today then I'll be able to use the rewards by Late September, but If not, I can postpone the trip till next spring, and instead go on a less expensive vacation this fall. Whenever I end up taking this trip, I expect to have to pay $20 for the plane tickets, $138 for the annual fees, $150 National Park Entrance/Camping fees, $100 gas, $50 leftover car rental fee, $100 food and hopefully no more than $100 in Vegas. So all together that will be $658, still expensive, but acceptable. Does this sound like an acceptable plan?
I also looked at the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Visa, which after spending $2000 gives 70k points as well as a free night in a low cost hotel after the first purchase, with the 70k points I could get 2 free nights in vegas, but I can't take the free night from the first purchase in vegas because it's not a low cost hotel, Maybe I could use it somewhere in Utah. This has a annual fee that is waived the first year, so I almost went for it, but I decided on the Wyndham instead. Maybe the Marriott Card will be good when I go to California or Hawaii next year.