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American Airlines and Starlux team up in new interline agreement

Aug. 15, 2025
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4 min read
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
American Airlines and Starlux team up in new interline agreement
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American Airlines just gained new ties to a premium Taiwanese airline with a fast-growing U.S. presence.

Taipei-based Starlux Airlines on Friday announced it reached an interline agreement with American. The arrangement will see the carriers cooperate on certain bookings — a move that could (perhaps) set the stage for a deeper partnership between the airlines, down the road.

American and Starlux's agreement

As part of the agreement, travelers will be able to book itineraries featuring connections between American and Starlux. And, customers flying on those trips will see their baggage transfer over from one carrier to the other, just like it would on a flight between two alliance partners.

When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight

Now, to be clear: This tie-up is a far cry from a full-fledged partnership like the one American enjoys with its Oneworld alliance partners — from British Airways to Qantas, Qatar Airways and others.

In the airline world, an interline agreement essentially allows two carriers to cooperate on a limited basis. As such, don’t expect to be able to earn or redeem your AAdvantage miles on Starlux flights any time soon — or to enjoy status perks if you’re an AAdvantage elite member flying with the carrier.

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ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Starlux gets closer to American (and Oneworld)

Still, Friday’s announcement signaled the beginning of ties between American and Starlux, known for its high-end service across the Pacific; TPG’s Clint Henderson described the carrier’s business-class product as “out of this world” on a flight last year from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).

Starlux currently flies to just one American hub at LAX, but plans to launch nonstop service to American's Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) hub early next year — opening new connectivity opportunities with American.

That service is now scheduled to launch Jan. 15, 2026, Starlux said Friday.

As part of this new arrangement, you could soon be able to start a trip somewhere like Austin or New Orleans, fly to Phoenix, and connect to a Starlux flight to Taipei.

Eyeing Oneworld?

It’s worth noting that Starlux already has a deeper loyalty partnership with Alaska Airlines, American’s domestic Oneworld partner — and serves Alaska’s Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) home base.

The carrier also operates U.S. service to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California.

There’s been talk of Starlux hoping to become the newest Oneworld member; a Taiwanese media outlet previously reported (via One Mile at a Time) that Starlux executives hoped to join Oneworld in the near future (TPG reached out to the carrier to hear its latest thinking on the matter, but a Starlux spokesperson did not immediately respond).

EVA Air, Starlux’s Taipei-based competitor, is a member of the Star Alliance (which includes United Airlines). Taiwan-based China Airlines recently announced a new tie-up with Southwest Airlines.

Related reading:

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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