【Updated 2023.7】You can now book STARLUX online with AS miles. It looks like there’s still pretty good award availability, so it may be worth a try if you’re interested—just be sure to check whether you need a visa.
20,000 one-way is a very solid deal.
Today (April 26), Alaska Airlines and Taiwan-based STARLUX jointly announced a frequent flyer partnership. Alaska Mileage Plan members will be able to redeem miles for STARLUX award tickets, and flights on STARLUX will also earn Alaska miles.
STARLUX recently announced its first transpacific route: Los Angeles–Taipei Taoyuan. Redemptions will begin this summer, and when awards first became available, Mileage Plan offered the following promotional pricing:
- Economy: 20,000mi
- Premium Economy: 40,000mi
- Business Class: 60,000mi
The Economy and Business Class prices are both quite reasonable. It is not yet clear whether connecting itineraries price at the same level. If you’re trying to get to mainland China, STARLUX currently flies from Taipei to Macau, and you could continue onward to Guangdong via ground transportation on your own.
Alaska miles have historically been quite valuable, but the program is also moving toward dynamic pricing, so these rates may be short-lived. If you need this redemption, the author suggests booking quickly when possible.