Can I Use New Partnerships to Score Better Award Seats?

Yes, but you need to be patient and strategic. The American Airlines–Starlux codeshare, effective September 30, lets you book Starlux's new A350s to Taipei via Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, or Seattle using American miles — but only if American makes award space available. Starlux also partners with Alaska Airlines, so check both programs for the best redemption. Since Starlux is reportedly eyeing Oneworld membership, this could deepen further, but for now, book early and be flexible.

For underserved destinations, look beyond the big three. Avelo's new routes from Dallas-area McKinney National Airport (DTX) to Denver, Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans — starting December 16 — open low-cost options to secondary cities. These won't earn transferable points, but they can save cash for award trips elsewhere. Meanwhile, Qantas's nonstop Sydney–New York A350 flights (mid-2028) will be a game-changer for Australia-U.S. travel, but award availability is unknown; set alerts for when sales begin in August 2027.

Delta's summer 2027 Europe expansion adds no new cities — just more flights to existing destinations like Venice and Athens. If you want fresh European award options, look to American and United, which are adding new destinations. The bottom line: new routes and partnerships create more award opportunities, but they don't guarantee availability. Use tools like expertflyer or seat alerts to track space, and consider flexible dates.