Can you earn miles on codeshare flights?

When a passenger uses codeshare flights operated by a Star Alliance partner and a non-Star Alliance airline, the passenger may earn miles if the operating carrier is a Star Alliance partner. The passenger cannot earn miles if the operating carrier is a non-Star Alliance partner.



Yes, you can generally earn miles on codeshare flights in 2026, but the rate at which you earn them is determined by the "Marketing Carrier" (the airline that sold you the ticket) rather than the "Operating Carrier" (the airline actually flying the plane). For example, if you book a flight with a British Airways "BA" flight number that is operated by American Airlines, you will earn Avios based on BA's earning charts. However, there is a 2026 "warning": some deeply discounted codeshare fares or "Basic Economy" tickets may be ineligible for mile accrual entirely. It is vital to check the "Fare Class" (the single letter like Y, M, or Q) before booking. For 2026 frequent flyers, the safest bet is to book the flight number of the airline where you want to earn the miles, as "Partner Accrual" charts can sometimes offer lower earning rates than "Mainline" flights.

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