Starlux Awards Are Now Bookable With Etihad Miles — Here’s What They Cost

Updated: August 12, 2026, 10:51am CDT

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Etihad Adds a Second Practical Way To Book Starlux With Miles
Final Thoughts

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There’s now another way to book Starlux Airlines flights with transferable credit card points, but the redemption rates leave a lot to be desired. Etihad Guest members can redeem miles for Starlux economy and business class flights from the U.S. to Taipei and beyond.

Here’s what these new awards cost, and when booking through Etihad Guest could make sense.

Etihad Adds a Second Practical Way To Book Starlux With Miles

Starlux flights were already bookable with the airline’s own COSMILE miles, but COSMILE isn’t a transfer partner of any major U.S. credit card rewards program. That left Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards as the only practical option for most U.S.-based travelers who wanted to book Starlux with miles.

Etihad Guest now provides a second realistic path. Because the program partners with Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, more travelers can access Starlux awards using transferable credit card points.

However, easier access doesn’t necessarily mean better value, as some of Etihad’s redemption rates aren’t all that attractive.

Etihad uses a distance-based award chart for Starlux flights, and the rates are steep on many routes. For U.S.-based travelers, the main concern is the cost of flying from the U.S. to Asia with Starlux. A one-way flight between Taipei and Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle costs 75,000 Etihad Guest miles in economy or 140,000 miles in business class.

For comparison, Alaska’s Atmos Rewards charges just 37,500 points in economy or 75,000 points in business class for the same routes.

Starlux A359 First Class cabin view — If you have Alaska Atmos Rewards points, you’ll pay considerably fewer points for the same Starlux Airbus A350 flight than you would through Etihad Guest. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

The difference is also noticeable on shorter flights. For example, for a flight from Taipei (TPE) to Tokyo (NRT), Etihad charges 15,000 miles in economy or 30,000 in business class, compared with 7,500 or 15,000 Atmos Rewards points.

On most other routes, Alaska offers considerably better pricing. That said, having another way to book Starlux’s impressive A350 business class is a good thing for points-and-miles travelers.

Hot Tip:

Booking through Etihad could still make sense if your plans are set and you can’t find the Starlux award you need through Alaska — or simply don’t have enough Atmos Rewards points. Just be sure you’re ready to commit, as Etihad’s change and cancellation rules can be restrictive. If the same flight is available through both programs, Alaska will usually be the better option.

Final Thoughts

Using Etihad Guest miles will not be the cheapest way to book most Starlux flights, especially on long-haul routes. However, it gives travelers with Citi ThankYou Points or Capital One miles another practical way to access Starlux awards. Make sure to compare the rates through both programs before transferring points so you don’t spend more than necessary.