Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines launched a partnership with Starlux Airlines, a Taiwan-based carrier. At the time, the partnership only covered earning Alaska miles on Starlux-operated flights, and not redemptions.
However, it’s now possible to redeem Alaska miles for flights with Starlux Airlines, with attractive pricing and ample award availability to mark the occasion.
Starlux Airlines Now Bookable with Alaska Miles!
In Spring 2023, Alaska Airlines and Starlux Airlines officially launched a partnership. The news came on the same day that Starlux flew its inaugural transpacific flight from Taipei to Los Angeles, and Alaska Airlines became the first-ever major airline partner for Starlux Airlines.
At the outset of the partnership, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members were eligible to earn Alaska miles on all Starlux-operated flights. It was also announced that redemptions for flights with Starlux Airlines would become available in Summer 2023, and that time has now come, with limited-time introductory pricing.
Currently, Starlux Airlines flies to 16 destinations across Asia, as well as a single route to North America that connects Taipei to Los Angeles.
On the Taipei–Los Angeles route, the limited-time introductory pricing is as follows:
- 20,000 Alaska miles in economy
- 40,000 Alaska miles in premium economy
- 60,000 Alaska miles in business class
While Starlux Airlines also has a First Class cabin on this route, unfortunately, redemptions with Alaska miles aren’t currently possible.
To put this in context, the cost in economy will be 10,000 miles less than the “starting from” prices on the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan award chart. On the other hand, premium economy pricing is in-line with the chart, and business class pricing is 10,000 miles over the minimum price.
Perhaps the most exciting part of this development is that there is ample award availability throughout the next year. On many dates, you can find multiple award seats available, including for up to seven passengers.
It’s worth noting that the aforementioned pricing only applies to the Taipei–Los Angeles route. It’s unclear when the limited-time pricing will change, so if you’re sitting on some Alaska miles that you’d like to redeem, now may be a great time, especially given the recent devaluations to the program.
If you’d like to continue onward to another part of Asia from Los Angeles, the pricing structure is as follows:
- 65,000 Alaska miles in economy
- 85,000 Alaska miles in premium economy
- 130,000 Alaska miles in business class
For some intra-Asia flights, the pricing structure is as follows:
- 7,500 Alaska miles in economy
- 10,000 Alaska miles in premium economy
- 15,000 Alaska miles in business class
And for other intra-Asia flights, the pricing structure is as follows:
- 25,000 Alaska miles in economy
- 32,500 Alaska miles in premium economy
- 50,000 Alaska miles in business class
With the limited-time pricing, you could actually save miles by booking two separate one-way flights if you’re looking to fly from Los Angeles to destinations in Asia other than Taipei.
For example, if you were to make a single booking from Los Angeles to Sapporo, it would cost 130,000 Alaska miles. However, if you were to make two separate bookings (one from Los Angeles to Taipei, and one from Taipei to Sapporo), it would work out to only 75,000 Alaska miles.
Keep in mind that award availability for flights across the Pacific is extremely difficult to come by these days, which is what makes this development even more promising.
From a Canadian perspective, keep in mind that MBNA Rewards points will soon become transferable to Alaska miles at a 1:1 ratio. When that happens, hopefully the limited-time pricing is still in effect.
How Is Flying with Starlux Airlines?
Starlux Airlines has an excellent reputation for its premium cabins. The airline is also relatively new, as it operated its first flight in early 2020.
Until this partnership was inked, it was very difficult to redeem points for business class flights with Starlux, since the only way to do so was with its own Cosmile program. While there’s currently only a single route to North America, the airline has 15 other Airbus A350-900 aircraft on order, which will likely result in the addition of more long-haul routes.
On the Taipei–Los Angeles route, Starlux operates its flagship Airbus A350 aircraft, complete with four cabins.
The business class and First Class products appear to be very competitive, and come complete with sliding doors for added privacy.
If business class or First Class are outside of your budget, the pricing for premium economy and economy flights is quite competitive. The economy cabin has a 3-3-3 configuration, which isn’t ideal for anyone travelling as a couple or solo, but could still work in a pinch.
The food and beverage service also appears to be notable, with the signature yakiniku donburi available as one of the options you can order onboard or pre-select in advance of your flight. The food and beverage menus are designed in conjunction with Michelin restaurants, offering passengers an elevated onboard dining experience.
Conclusion
Through the partnership between Alaska Airlines and Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines, you can now earn and redeem Alaska miles on Starlux flights.
The latest addition to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan‘s list of partners is indeed quite a strong one. The limited-time award pricing is a very attractive selling point, especially in the context of very low award availability across the Pacific.
If you’re looking for a way to fly to or from Asia in style, be sure to lock in a booking before the award pricing changes.
