Starlux via Etihad: 139,999 business miles – double Alaska's 75k.
Etihad Guest miles now book Starlux at 75,000 for economy and 139,999 for business one-way, roughly double Alaska's 37,500 and 75,000. The upside is a broader transfer network: Capital One, Citi, Bilt, and Rove, while Amex is excluded. But the sting is Etihad's cancellation policy, which forfeits at least 25% of miles, more closer to departure. No onward connections beyond Taipei are bookable, and premium economy is missing. This is a second option, not a better one if you have Alaska points.
the play
Use Alaska Atmos points for Starlux instead of Etihad miles to save roughly half the miles and avoid the harsh cancellation policy.
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This drop was reframed from a real reader question asked around the web. Written with the assistance of a language model in the voice of Barry B..