Which airline/FF program to use? And with what card to pay?
 

Hello fellow travelers, I've looked and looked and did not see any thread specifically covering the topic which insterests me... so I apologize it this has been already definitevely answered...

To answer my questions requies certain knowledge and savvy, something which is in abundance here (I know, as I was here many years ago, as MileJunkie :(). Here it is, maybe someone as knowledgeable as you can advise me?

– me & wife looking to buy tickets for travel in Australia, SYD-MEL-CNS-SYD, Oct-Nov time frame

They have 2 major airlines flying these routes, Virgin Australia (VA) and Quantas.
– Quantas belongs to oneworld partners (AA, BA, etc.), I have AAdvantage account (~30K), and their credit card.
– VA is in Star alliance (United, Air Canada, etc.), and we’re flying United to/from SYD (from ATL). I have their credit card, too. Have about 32K pts in MileagePlus account (points for the flight there and back are pathetic, since tickets were $500/pp, so it’s not going to grow a lot).
– Finally, VA has reciprocity with Delta, where I’m Million Miler and lifetime Silver Medalion. 200K points, and I have Delta Platinum card as well.

Q: Which airline(s) should we fly in Australia? And which credit card should we use to maximize the points/miles earned?

I’d like to get either AA or MileagePlus miles/points to fly to Hawaii (preferrably, with wife 🙂

Thanks in advance for your advice.

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

Thank you, Mwenezi, for the welcome and the detailed answers...
I have bought two legs so far (SYD-MEL, and MEL-CNS), both were less expensive on Quantas, and provided my AAdvantage #.
Hopefully, some points will come my way....

Forgive me my ignorance, but what's Melburne Cup?

You will get some AA ff miles.

The (horse) race that stops a nation on the first Tuesday of November. All week the city & hotels are very busy. Cup Day (Tuesday) is a public holiday in Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Cup
https://www.flemington.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival

Qantas does not have a u

"Qantas does not have a u"

Sorry, completely missed that hint :(

> All week the city & hotels are very busy. Cup Day (Tuesday) is a public holiday in Melbourne

Thanks for the heads up.
Lucky for us, we're staying at Airbnb, and leaving on Sunday, Oct. 30-th to Cairns.