MileJunkieIsHereAgain Welcome to FT

For Aussie you should know
- Qantas does not have a u
- Virgin Australia VA is not part of Star Alliance

Airlines that fly in Australia domestically
- Airnorth Regional airline in northern Australia
- Qantas [OneWorld Alliance]
- Regional Express Airways (REX) Regional airline
- Tiger Airways (a low cost low quality carrier with low fares part owned by Virgin Australia)
- Virgin Australia (Delta partner)
- Jetstar (a low cost low quality carrier with low-medium-high priced fares owned by QF)

No matter which airline you fly you will not get many ff miles. So just buy on price & schedule. Fly QF and credit to AA or fly VA and credit to DL. Check fare booking class eligibility.

All fares are sold in Australia as one ways. No such thing as a "return", with or without those silly USA type conditions. A "return" is just 2 one ways. No particular advantage in buy a return (will not be cheaper). So you can fly 1 airline and another on the return.

Note that Melbourne in the first week of November will be very busy (Melb Cup week)

You could resurrect MileJunkie if you want to. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/milejunkie.html