ITA Airways joins Star Alliance — 350+ daily flights

ITA Airways has joined Star Alliance as its 26th member, effective 1 April 2026. This move adds 350+ daily flights to the network, including Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate hubs. Indian cardholders can now earn and burn points on ITA metal using Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer, two Star currencies that many premium Indian cards support. This development eliminates the need for a SkyTeam programme to book a Star award to Italy. Our take: this is a positive development for Indian cardholders, particularly those with HDFC, Axis, and Amex points, as it expands their redemption options and provides more flexibility in booking awards to Italy. With ITA Airways joining the Star Alliance network, cardholders can now access more destinations and flights, making their points more valuable.