I normally fly Star Alliance, and collect Aeroplan, and have nothing meaningful anymore in other programs.

I am taking a flight Toronto - Dallas - Brisbane - Townesville - Brisbane - LA - Toronto, with the flights operated by American and Qantas (ticketed on Qantas). In economy.

I have no plans in the near future to fly back to Australia, and there is a small chance I may use American to fly domestic, but certainly not a lot.

Is there a program you can recommend that would give me the best options (e.g. in terms of miles, but also expiry of miles, etc.)

It would be nice to get something out of this one trip, but if not, for the miles not to expire before I can earn more on a similar carrier.

Is there any "alternative" FF program (like the Aegean of * Alliance) I should look at to simply gain some sort of status more quickly?

The only hotel program I have anything useful with is Priority Club, if that weighs into things at all (most other hotels I have bits and bobs, but would consider joining a hotel program if that was the best way to get / use some miles from the airline (like I do with Marriott - Aeroplan for example).

Thank you!