I am looking at flying Etihad to Europe this December.

I am looking at flying Etihad to Europe this December. Whom would be the best frequent flyer to credit the points to get gold status? I will also be flying to Europe again next June.

I wish I was able to travel for 57 days a year when I was a student!

Let me guess - arts student?

No, rich parents.

Haha relatives overseas. Anyway any help? I was going to stick with star alliance but aegean pulled the pin

I'd be very concerned if they pulled the pin. Surely the situation would have blown up by now.

...anyway, if you're Australian I'd probably go with Velocity.

If both of your flights are on Etihad I'd consider Etihad Guest, but I think the best choice would be Virgin Australia's Velocity because you're more likely to be able to use the Velocity points for Australian flights or upgrades, there's not a lot you can do with Etihad miles from Australia unless you have a LOT of miles!

I fly home to Scandinavia 1-2 a year, credit to Velocity (maintained Gold for awhile now) and fly SQ or EY. Find that Economy Flexi Saver(W) on SQ gives best status credit return per $ spend and makes Gold acheivable on 2 return Economy flights per year. Note you still have to fly 4xVirgin metal (domestic or international) to achieve eligible flights required for Gold. 

Therefore if your EY flight at Xmas is discount economy* you should get 140SC return then do SQ Flexi Saver in July 280SC = 420SC then buy a couple of domestic flights when double SC promo is on to get VA Metal ticked off and rest of the 80SC to get Gold. Then following year you will only need 400SC to maintain.

Hope that helps and makes sense.  

*assumed discount economy as your a student ;)

Yes I have also found W fares on SQ to be quite good value and get quite good status credit accrual. Not sure about EY though as I have never flown with them.