The Starlux American Airlines partnership takes its biggest step yet on September 30, 2026, when a new codeshare goes live. Starlux also says a frequent flyer partnership is in the works. If you’ve wanted a way to use AAdvantage miles on one of the best business class products across the Pacific, this is the news you were waiting for. It’s a real step forward, but you can’t use your miles yet.
Below is what the codeshare does, what it doesn’t do, and how to book Starlux with miles today while AAdvantage catches up.
For my review of Starlux Business Class, click here.
What the Starlux American Airlines Codeshare Includes
American and Starlux have had an interline agreement since August 2025. It let you book both airlines on one ticket with your bags checked through to your final destination. On September 30, 2026, that relationship becomes a codeshare.
In practice, American will put its AA code on select Starlux flights between Taipei (TPE) and Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA). Starlux will put its JX code on select American domestic flights out of Los Angeles and Phoenix. That makes it easier to connect from an American flight onto Starlux on a single itinerary. The Points Guy counts roughly 26 American flights carrying the Starlux code at launch, and that number could grow.
Phoenix is the notable gap. Starlux flies Phoenix to Taipei, and Phoenix is an American hub, but American isn’t putting its code on that route at launch.
| Route | Operated By | Code Added |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei to Los Angeles | Starlux | AA |
| Taipei to Ontario | Starlux | AA |
| Taipei to San Francisco | Starlux | AA |
| Taipei to Seattle | Starlux | AA |
| Taipei to Phoenix | Starlux | Not included |
| Select US domestic from Los Angeles | American | JX |
| Select US domestic from Phoenix | American | JX |
What You Can’t Do Yet With AAdvantage Miles
This is the part that matters most for points collectors. At launch, you can’t earn AAdvantage miles on Starlux flights, and you can’t redeem AAdvantage miles for Starlux award tickets. AAdvantage elite members also won’t get perks like priority boarding or lounge access when flying Starlux.
A codeshare only covers tickets and schedules. The loyalty side is a separate agreement, and it hasn’t launched. So if you book an AA-marketed ticket on a Starlux flight after September 30, don’t expect AAdvantage miles to post.
The Frequent Flyer Partnership Starlux Says Is Coming
Starlux has said a frequent flyer partnership with American is in the works. It would let members earn and redeem miles between AAdvantage and COSMILE, Starlux’s loyalty program.
What We Don’t Know Yet
A few open questions will decide whether this turns into a real sweet spot or just a nice extra.
The biggest is premium cabin award access. Airlines often limit which cabins partner programs can book, so we don’t know yet what kind of business class availability we will get.
Another is pricing. No one knows yet how many AAdvantage miles a Starlux award will cost, or whether pricing will be fixed or dynamic. We’ll update this post once real terms are out.
How to Book Starlux With Miles Right Now
For now, the go-to option for US travelers is Alaska’s Atmos Rewards. Atmos members can earn and redeem on Starlux, including business class. First class isn’t bookable with Atmos points.
To build up Atmos points, Bilt Rewards transfers at 1:1. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1, plus a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you move in a single transfer. Always confirm the award space is there before you transfer, because transfers can’t be reversed.
You can search Starlux award space on Alaska’s website or with a tool like Seats.aero, which saves a lot of date-by-date clicking.
Award prices and availability change constantly. Treat these numbers as an example of what’s possible when you catch the space, not a guarantee.
Should You Book a Codeshare Ticket Now?
If you’re buying a paid ticket and want a smoother connection, the codeshare helps. Say you book an American domestic flight into LAX that connects onto Starlux, all on one ticket. If your first flight is delayed, you’re protected on the connection, and your bags go straight through to Taipei.
If you’re buying a paid Starlux ticket and want to earn miles, credit the flight to Atmos Rewards for now, since AAdvantage earning isn’t live.
If you’re holding AAdvantage miles and hoping to redeem them on Starlux, wait. There’s nothing to book yet, and there’s no reason to move points around on speculation before the terms are out.
Who Should Skip This
If AAdvantage miles are your main currency and you’re flying to Asia in the next few months, don’t build your plans around this partnership. Your AAdvantage options to Asia today are still partners like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
If you mostly fly out of Phoenix, the initial codeshare leaves out the Phoenix to Taipei flight, so the smoother connection doesn’t help you there.
If you’re chasing Starlux first class specifically, Atmos can’t book it, and nothing suggests AAdvantage will be able to at launch either.
The Bottom Line
The Starlux American Airlines codeshare is a real upgrade for paid travelers connecting through LAX to Taipei. The loyalty partnership Starlux says is coming could be much bigger for points collectors, but only once it launches, and only if business class awards are actually bookable with AAdvantage miles. Until then, Atmos Rewards is how you fly Starlux on points. Keep an eye on this one.
Fine print: Award pricing, availability, and partner terms change without notice. Examples in this post are for illustration, not guarantees. YMMV.
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