Digital travel platform Agoda has partnered with China Airlines (CI) through its strategic partnerships arm Rocket Travel by Agoda to introduce StayMiles, a new hotel booking platform designed to enhance loyalty benefits and streamline travel planning for airline customers.
The newly launched platform allows airline members and travelers to book hotel accommodations across the globe while earning and redeeming miles within a single integrated system. The collaboration reflects a broader shift in the travel industry toward unified loyalty ecosystems that combine flights, accommodations, and rewards into one seamless customer journey.
Under the agreement, Rocket Travel by Agoda serves as the exclusive digital travel partner responsible for operating and managing StayMiles. Its role covers the full user experience, including property search, reservations, payment processing, and customer support. The platform connects travelers to more than 600,000 properties worldwide, expanding booking choices across major travel markets such as Taiwan, North America, Southeast Asia, Canada, and Europe.
The partnership is positioned as a strategic move to strengthen customer loyalty by integrating hotel bookings with airline rewards programs. Each StayMiles reservation enables travelers to accumulate miles, adding value to trips beyond airfare purchases. Members can also redeem rewards toward hotel stays, creating more flexibility in how points are used.
According to Damien Pfirsch, the collaboration represents a milestone in the evolution of travel loyalty programs, which are increasingly focused on providing seamless and rewarding experiences. He emphasized that tailored digital solutions now allow members to earn and redeem miles effortlessly within a unified booking environment, while also giving partners access to a wide inventory of accommodations.
One of StayMiles’ key features is its redemption flexibility. Members can use as few as 1,000 miles toward hotel stays through an interactive slider tool that lets them choose how many miles to apply to each booking. This feature is intended to give travelers more control over their rewards while encouraging frequent engagement with the loyalty program. Customers can also earn up to 10,000 miles per night for local stays or short weekend trips, making it easier to accumulate points without needing long-haul flights.
Industry analysts note that airline loyalty programs are increasingly expanding beyond traditional flight-based rewards as carriers seek to keep customers engaged year-round. By offering hotel bookings directly within its rewards ecosystem, China Airlines aims to position its loyalty program as a comprehensive travel companion rather than a flight-only benefit.