Etihad Airways. Photo: kamilpetran / Shutterstock.com Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, has expanded its international rewards network through a new partnership with STARLUX Airlines’ COSMILE program, giving members more options to earn and redeem miles across Asia, North America and Europe.
The partnership, announced today, August 11, began on August 4, building on the airlines’ existing strategic relationship, which includes a codeshare agreement signed in June 2025 and Etihad’s direct Abu Dhabi to Taipei service launched in September 2025.
Under the initial phase of the partnership, Etihad Guest members can redeem their Etihad Guest Miles for Business and Economy Class flights across STARLUX Airlines’ network.
The expanded redemption options provide access to destinations across several major markets, including onward connections to:
-Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle in the United States
-Okinawa, Kobe and Nagoya in Japan
-Other destinations across STARLUX’s growing Asia-Pacific network
The arrangement gives Etihad Guest members additional ways to use their accumulated miles beyond Etihad's own network.
STARLUX Airlines. Photo: Thanhliemnguyen / Shutterstock.comThe partnership is scheduled to expand further in October 2026.
Etihad Guest members will then be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles when flying with STARLUX, while COSMILE members will gain the ability to both earn and redeem miles across Etihad's network of more than 100 destinations.
This will create a more comprehensive reciprocal loyalty relationship between the two airlines.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said the agreement would give Etihad Guest members more ways to use their miles while opening access to STARLUX destinations across Asia, North America and Europe.
He described the upcoming reciprocal earning and redemption benefits as the next step in the broader partnership between the airlines.
Richard Tseng, Chief Passenger Commercial Officer at STARLUX Airlines, said the loyalty agreement was a natural extension of the airlines’ existing relationship and would give COSMILE members greater access to Etihad’s global network.
The loyalty partnership follows the June 2025 codeshare agreement between Etihad and STARLUX and the launch of Etihad's Abu Dhabi-Taipei route in September 2025.
The route is operated using Etihad's Boeing 787-9, while the wider partnership positions Abu Dhabi as a connecting gateway between STARLUX's Asia-Pacific network and Etihad's destinations across Europe.
For Etihad passengers, Taipei also provides a strategic connection point for travel deeper into Asia.
The expanded loyalty relationship therefore adds another layer to the airlines’ cooperation, giving frequent flyers greater flexibility while strengthening connections between the UAE, Taiwan and international destinations.