Folks, Starlux Airlines’ COSMILE frequent flyer program has finally gotten into the business of selling miles to consumers. Objectively it’s a pretty awful deal, as the airline is charging an astronomical four cents per mile (we’ll see if there are promotions in the future).
However, I’m ridiculously excited here, as this is a way to score a discount on a Starlux first class ticket, as that’s an experience that has been on my radar for a long time.
In this post:
Buy Starlux COSMILE miles for four cents each
Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines launched its COSMILE frequent flyer program back when the airline commenced operations, in 2019. Unless you live in Taiwan or constantly fly with Starlux, you probably shouldn’t care much about the program — the only airline partner is Alaska Airlines, and if you want to redeem on Starlux, you’re generally best off redeeming Alaska Atmos Rewards points.
However, it is worth noting that there is now a new way to earn miles in the COSMILE program, as the airline has just started selling miles directly to consumers. To access this, just log into your Starlux account, go to the “COSMILE” section, and then click on “Mileage Purchase.”
The program is charging a flat four cents per mile, and members can purchase anywhere from 1,000 to 150,000 miles per transaction. 150,000 is also the annual limit on how many miles you can buy. Purchases are processed by points.com, as is common for the points purchase programs of many loyalty programs.
I am curious to see if Starlux gets aggressive about selling miles, and if we see some major promotions. For example, is this just the base level purchase price, and we’ll often see the program offer substantial discounts or bonuses?
Finally a “deal” on Starlux Airlines first class!!
I’ve written about Starlux Airlines’ quirky first class product — it’s available on all A350s, the pricing is very high, and there’s not even a curtain between first and business class. Since the airline launched, I’ve been trying to find a way to fly the carrier in first class, just because I try to review all first class experiences.
On virtually every airline, I’ve been able to get a deal by using miles, taking a strategic positioning flight, etc. In the case of Starlux, I’ve found absolutely nothing. Yes, you can fly the airline within Asia in first class for around $2,500, but I’d like to give the airline a fair shake on a long haul flight, so I can truly review the experience, rather than just getting the scaled back service on a short haul flight.
The best fare I’ve been able to find for a long haul first class flight is around $8,700 one-way. That’s just absurdly rough, and I’ve not been able to find any other trick to get a better deal.
So for a long time I’ve been thinking to myself “I hope the airline starts selling miles soon, and that this is an opportunity to get a deal on first class.” Well, that time is finally now!
For context, below is Starlux’s award chart for travel between Asia and the Americas and Europe.
Below is Starlux’s award chart for travel within Asia.
There’s a devaluation coming October 1, 2026, but until then, you can book a long haul first class flight one-way for 120,000 miles. At four cents per mile, that’s $4,800. Obviously that’s still a massive amount to spend on a flight. However, it’s just over half the cost of the best available long haul first class fare, and it’s the first option I’ve seen to get a deal for first class!
Also, reviewing airlines is my job, and I’m a bit of a completionist. I’m tired of having *almost* flown every first-class product in the world, and I just need to rip the band-aid off and do it. Don’t get me wrong, it kills me to spend this much on a flight, but this is my career of 18+ years, and it’s an investment worth making.
The good news is that first class award availability is excellent — that’s not surprising, given that the airline barely seems to sell first class seats. However, I can’t actually price out an award, since I don’t have enough miles in my account.
I do have a couple of questions, for those more familiar with Starlux COSMILE than I am. First, is there anything I’m missing here? There’s no status requirement to redeem for first class, or anything like that, right?
Next, I see the first award chart is described as the pricing “Between Asia & America/Europe.” Does anyone know if that means you could actually include an intra-Asia flight on the same itinerary at no extra cost? So is the cost the same for Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Taipei (TPE) to Phoenix (PHX), as it is just for the last segment, or is pricing additive? Also, am I correct in thinking that carrier imposed surcharges are very limited?
Now, I do think I’ll hold off just a bit, and see if Starlux offers any promotion on buying miles, since I wouldn’t be surprised if that becomes a consistent aspect of this. If they’d like to offer a 100% introductory bonus on buying miles, I certainly wouldn’t complain. 😉 If anyone does notice such an offer and I don’t write about it within five minutes, please do ping me.
Bottom line
Starlux Airlines’ COSMILE frequent flyer program has just started selling miles to consumers. Members can purchase up to 150,000 miles per year, at a cost of four cents per mile. It remains to be seen if the program offers promotions on buying miles, to lower the cost a bit.
I wouldn’t expect there to be widespread appeal for this, though I do think the one unique angle is that this is an opportunity to get a significant discount on a long haul first class ticket on Starlux. The airline simply doesn’t ordinarily discount its first class, and I’d know, because I’ve been closely tracking it for nearly seven years. 😉
So while it’s hard to get excited about a $4,800 first class fare, that’s about half of the typical cost, so that’s at least better. Now let’s just see a 100% bonus on buying miles, and then we’ll really be talking.
What do you make of Starlux getting into the business of selling miles?
Yes, the miles required to redeem for a ticket from Asia via TPE to USA is the same as just from TPE to USA.
I've flown JX F from TPE-NRT. It was really nothing to write home about beyond the drinks list featuring really rare Taiwanese wines. I booked last minute and they didn't cater any F meals (go figure I was the only passenger in F haha), but I did get a refund of around $60...I did get an escort through immigration at NRT which was nice. Just keep in mind that if you were to book make...
I've flown JX F from TPE-NRT. It was really nothing to write home about beyond the drinks list featuring really rare Taiwanese wines. I booked last minute and they didn't cater any F meals (go figure I was the only passenger in F haha), but I did get a refund of around $60...I did get an escort through immigration at NRT which was nice. Just keep in mind that if you were to book make sure you book more than 2-3 days in advance so you are eligible for the car service/first-class terminal flying out of TPE. Good luck.
Very interested to see what comes of this. Would love to book a F class reward ticket but spending $4800 without knowing availability is just too risky. Wonder if there’s a workaround. Also, will mileage F tickets get you PS at LAX?
yes it does offer the full services same as venue fare. Including PS at LAX. I was able to tried last year, coz I have Taiwanese credit cards which can earn JX miles.
But is it really First Class?
It's a slightly bigger seat, no separate cabin, so I don't really get the excitement. Business plus or business suites maybe? They are doing a few interesting things but I'm skeptical about their long term success with that business model. It's a bottom less pit.
Would need to see bonuses of 100%+ (a la Lifemiles) if they want to be serious players!
Publishing their T&Cs would be helpful too.
I flew business class on Starlux once to Taipei from LA. We sat in the row behind first class. Their first class seat didn’t look much different than a business class seat. A little bigger.
Idk if all these people saying how outrageous this is know they if you originate or end in LAX you get PS access as a first passenger. If you're solo you get salon and if you're two or more you get private suite. Given what a PS suite costs on its own without membership, I'd say it's pretty damn worth it to pay 4,800 for F if originating out of LAX. You and Ford that's...
Idk if all these people saying how outrageous this is know they if you originate or end in LAX you get PS access as a first passenger. If you're solo you get salon and if you're two or more you get private suite. Given what a PS suite costs on its own without membership, I'd say it's pretty damn worth it to pay 4,800 for F if originating out of LAX. You and Ford that's 9600. AND you get to review PS LAX! Given that you need Ford to get the suite you could write his ticket off as a biz expense too. And if you go solo, hey at least you can review the salon.
This makes very little sense for anyone based in the US. Alaska Atmos is a much better deal (aside from the limited-time First Class cash for miles redemption mentioned above) and place to earn miles while flying Starlux.
I know they're a young airline, but Starlux needs to get more aggressive with COSMILE for North America.
Also, I’m not sure how JX’s A350 F experience is watered down on flights to SGN, SIN or BKK. So long as you depart from TPE’s Huan Yu Terminal, it should be excellent…
I don’t get why JX doesn’t add more miles transfer partners. Sure, CX is keeping JX out of Oneworld, but that doesn’t mean that you stick solely to Alaska miles, which is very difficult for those of us in Asia (but not Taiwan) to rack up — short of outright buying them. Bear in mind that Etihad is another big strategic partner of Starlux, so shouldn’t JX add the ability to redeem and earn Etihad...
I don’t get why JX doesn’t add more miles transfer partners. Sure, CX is keeping JX out of Oneworld, but that doesn’t mean that you stick solely to Alaska miles, which is very difficult for those of us in Asia (but not Taiwan) to rack up — short of outright buying them. Bear in mind that Etihad is another big strategic partner of Starlux, so shouldn’t JX add the ability to redeem and earn Etihad Guest miles at a minimum? There are so many opportunities that JX is leaving on the table here…
Because "more miles transfer partners" would be an instant devaluation of their product. Think about it.
Hard to see @Ben get so excited. Starlux as you said is a regional carrier, Taiwan centric. Very few alliances to use the miles (currency) and even for a travel blogger it’s a miss as there are more robust carriers in that part of the world with stronger alliances with either star alliance or OW
Is cosmile a reference to cosplay?
Ben did you see the new starlix silver livery? Maybe I missed your article.
I get you are going for completeness and I enjoy all your reviews, but this isn’t really first class!! It’s like a bulkhead row!
@ Mick -- I didn't write about it, but yes, their A350-1000 liveries are INCREDIBLE.
Plus, this is presumably a tax-deductible expense, so 30-40% off $4,800 is a better than $4,800 (or $9,000...).
I'm not sure I'm understanding your obsession with Starlux First. As a senior airline reviewer, you out of all people should know that a proper First Class does not share the same lavatories and cabin with Business Class. Starlux is marketing a First Class product that is simply Business Plus, similarly to how Etihad does it on its A321XLR fleet. Thus, if you want to waste your money, go for it, but again, Starlux does not have a proper First Class product.
@ Kenny -- There's no "obsession" with Starlux first class, but really it comes down to two things.
First of all, I've done nearly every first class product, so since I'm so close, I'd like to complete that "task." Second, I've been intrigued by how little the cabin has been monetized and how consistently it has gone out empty, so the strategy (or lack thereof) has fascinated me.
I agree with you that the product...
@ Kenny -- There's no "obsession" with Starlux first class, but really it comes down to two things.
First of all, I've done nearly every first class product, so since I'm so close, I'd like to complete that "task." Second, I've been intrigued by how little the cabin has been monetized and how consistently it has gone out empty, so the strategy (or lack thereof) has fascinated me.
I agree with you that the product doesn't look impressive, but then again, the soft product seems to be massively differentiated, particularly on the ground. I've also heard that if someone is in first class they'll block business class passengers from using the lavatory, so I'm curious to experience all of that firsthand, and see what it's like.
Hopefully, you won't ever be "done". As long as airlines order new aircraft with first class, there will be another one to check off! I appreciate thay you've review some bizarre airlines, but I honestly wouldn't have bothered with some of them if I were you.
TBH, I think of Starlux’s First Class as a Business Class Plus product. Same seat, same cabin, just bigger foot well. I wouldn’t go to the trouble. I flew Starlux J from TPE-LAX last year. It was meh…. and the lounge was so weird.
The premium over business class is insane (both in terms of miles and money). I know Ben wrote about it before, but you have to wonder, what are they thinking?
@Lucky, I really hope you get to try their F, because the product difference doesn't seem to justify what they're charging.
Nonstop Dan (I know) posted about it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIQ69-qFYv8
Look, it was the above link or Sam Chui. I think I posted the right one. :)
@ TravelinWilly -- Saw that as well, and it was interesting, though it really shows how scaled back the regional service is. That's also why I really want to experience it on a long haul flight, where there are things like bedding.
@ Tennen -- I totally agree, I find the price difference to be insane, and that makes me all the more interested in giving it a try, even if I don't think I can make sense of it!
"I’m More Excited Than I Should Be!!"
Because you're looking forward to the next devaluation?
"Because you're looking forward to the next devaluation?"
Yes.
Yes, that is why Ben is excited more than he should be.
Now ask another add-nothing pointless question.
I wonder if that indicates they'll eventually be entering the transferrable mile ecosystem. Hard to turn down that sweet sweet Amex cash
@ James_K -- Now that would be awesome!!
Would opening the floodgates be a really good idea?
Depends how good your canoe is I guess!
Just checked my PHX-TPE flight next week and I see a F award is available. Slightly tempted to cancel my J award via Atmos and book it to beat Ben to the punch!
@ Samar -- Hah, I'd LOVE if you beat me to it... as long as you report back!
@lucky as tempting as it is, I think I'd rather hold onto my $4800. Plus I could use the status points from my existing award.
What about an upgrade award?
Looks like J to F is only 25k miles but you need to be on a basic or full paid ticket.
@ Steven -- That's a great question. I guess I should check if I can find any reasonably priced business class fares on the airline. Though I also feel like there's more that can go wrong with an upgrade than an outright award ticket.
I just hope some hot deal Alaska Atmos partner awards in J come back. 1990 want some sweet 70K to Taipei! I’d fly to LAX, SFO, even PHX to do it. Better yet, start flying TPE-JFK!
There was a nostop Starlux PHX-TPE J deal about a month ago. Price was 170,000 Atmos+$39 r/t. Not the greatest deal ever, but it was an excellent opportunity to gve Starlux a try!
Gene, I think it was even better, but, like only for a few hours, maybe a glitch… (Also, I know I was resistant at first, but, I’ll admit, I finally registered just so I can ‘Yowzers!’ for my buddies on here, yourself included! *wink*)