American Airlines and STARLUX Launched a Codeshare. You Earn Miles, You Cannot Redeem Them.

2 hours ago

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American Airlines and STARLUX Launched a Codeshare. You Earn Miles, You Cannot Redeem Them.

American Airlines and STARLUX Airlines launched a codeshare partnership in late September 2026. Flights are bookable now for travel from September 30, 2026, and AAdvantage members earn miles and Loyalty Points on codeshare tickets. Award redemptions on STARLUX are not available, and neither airline has given a date for them.

The short version

American's code goes on STARLUX flights to Taipei from Los Angeles, Ontario, San Francisco and Seattle.
Phoenix joins once regulators approve it.
STARLUX flight numbers go on 26 American domestic flights out of LAX and PHX.
Travel starts September 30, 2026, and tickets are on sale now.
AAdvantage earning is live. AAdvantage award redemption on STARLUX is not.

Which routes does the American and STARLUX codeshare cover?

American Airlines is placing its AA code on STARLUX flights between Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE) and four western U.S. gateways: Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA). Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is pending regulatory approval. Going the other direction, STARLUX is adding its own flight numbers to 26 American domestic flights feeding LAX and PHX, which is what makes a single ticket from a small U.S. city to Taipei possible.

American's announcement says customers get "Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class options on STARLUX available for purchase on aa.com or American's mobile app."

Do you earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on STARLUX?

Yes, on codeshare tickets. The American Airlines AAdvantage program credits these tickets. Members buying a codeshare flight under the partnership earn both redeemable miles and Loyalty Points. Loyalty Points are the currency that drives AAdvantage elite status, so a Taipei round trip booked this way counts toward Gold, Platinum and above. Neither airline has published fare-class earning tables yet, which is the piece to watch before you book a deep discount economy ticket expecting full credit.

The practical catch: the AA code has to be on the ticket. A STARLUX-marketed flight bought directly from STARLUX is not a codeshare, and earning there follows STARLUX COSMILE rules instead.

Can you book STARLUX with AAdvantage miles?

Not yet. Both carriers describe mileage redemption on each other's flights as something they are still working on, with no announced timeline. STARLUX award space does not appear on aa.com. If you want to fly STARLUX on points today, the routes that work are Alaska's Atmos Rewards and Etihad Guest, which we compared in our guide to booking STARLUX with points.

That guide was written in August 2026 when an American partnership was speculation. It is now real, and it is still earning-only. Treat any headline promising STARLUX awards through AAdvantage as wrong until American says otherwise.

Is this partnership worth changing your plans for?

For most people, no. A codeshare that pays miles but takes none is a mild convenience, useful mainly if you were already flying to Taipei and want the Loyalty Points. It does make one-ticket routings from cities like Austin or Nashville to Taipei possible, with checked bags through to the end, which removes a real headache on a long connection.

The interesting part is what it signals. American has spent 2026 rebuilding its partner bench after the Hyatt split, and STARLUX flies a young widebody fleet with a business class that gets consistently good reviews. If redemption arrives, a Taipei award on a quality carrier becomes reachable with miles from any of the cards in our best travel credit cards guide that feed AAdvantage.

What this means for you

Book the codeshare if you are flying to Taipei and you want AAdvantage credit. Do not hold miles waiting for STARLUX awards, because there is no timeline and partnerships have stalled at this stage before. Keep flying STARLUX on Atmos Rewards or Etihad Guest miles in the meantime.

FAQ

When did the American Airlines STARLUX codeshare start?

Codeshare bookings on American Airlines and STARLUX opened in late September 2026, with travel beginning September 30, 2026. Phoenix service under the agreement waits on regulatory approval.

Do STARLUX flights earn AAdvantage Loyalty Points?

Yes, when the ticket carries an American Airlines flight number. AAdvantage members earn both redeemable miles and Loyalty Points on codeshare flights, and Loyalty Points count toward AAdvantage elite status.

Can you use AAdvantage miles for STARLUX award tickets?

No. American Airlines and STARLUX have said they are working toward mileage redemption on each other's flights, but no award booking is available and no date has been announced.

How do you book STARLUX with points today?

Alaska's Atmos Rewards and Etihad Guest both issue STARLUX award tickets. Both take transfers from major flexible currencies, which is the practical route until American adds redemption.

Which U.S. cities does STARLUX serve?

STARLUX flies to Taipei from Los Angeles, Ontario, San Francisco and Seattle, with Phoenix pending approval under the American partnership. American domestic flights from LAX and PHX now carry STARLUX codes on 26 routes.

Before you go

Airline partnerships get announced far earlier than they get useful. Subscribe to the TravelPointsPro newsletter and we will tell you when this one turns into award seats.

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