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Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
Avios is the loyalty program currency of several airlines, including Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia. While the Avios you'll earn from the
That's because you can transfer Aer Lingus Avios to your British Airways or Iberia frequent flyer accounts. It's then possible to redeem them for award flights on Oneworld alliance members, including American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.
Aside from the welcome bonus offer, cardholders earn 3 Avios per dollar spent on travel booked directly with Aer Lingus, Iberia, British Airways, and LEVEL. You'll also be rewarded with 2x Avios on hotel stays, and 1 Avios per dollar on all other purchases.
The
Oneworld's network of airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines, spans the entire globe, making your Aer Lingus Avios a valuable currency indeed. However, it's worth noting that while Aer Lingus' rewards currency is Avios, it is not actually part of the Oneworld alliance.
Together with the
Those who would prefer more flexibility or who don't fly Aer Lingus often might consider a Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, such as the
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Aer Lingus Credit Card Rewards
Aer Lingus Credit Card bonus
The welcome bonus offer on the
According to Insider's points and miles valuations, Avios points are worth an average of 1.3 cents each, making this bonus worth around
How to earn points with the Aer Lingus Credit Card
The earning structure on the card is fairly simple. Cardholders earn:
- 3x Avios points on flights booked directly with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL
- 2x Avios points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and inns (bookings made through travel agencies, discount travel sites, vacation clubs, tour operators, or as part of a package offered by merchants such as cruise lines and railways don't qualify, nor doe buying hotel points)
- 1 Avios point per dollar on other purchases
Avios earned in each billing cycle will automatically transfer into your Aer Lingus AerClub account. It's then up to you whether you'd prefer to spend them directly from your AerClub account or transfer them over into either your British Airways or Iberia accounts, depending on where you personally find they'll bring you the most value.
How to use points from the Aer Lingus Card
It's easy to redeem your Avios directly through the Aer Lingus website. Once you've logged into your Aer Lingus AerClub account, you redeem your Avios for award flights on Aer Lingus, British Airways, or Iberia. You can also use "Pay With Avios" to cover the entire cost of a flight or use them as partial payment to reduce the amount paid in cash.
You can also upgrade eligible flights from economy to business class as well as use your Avios to pay for hotel stays, car rentals, and activities and experiences.
You can also transfer your Avios from your Aer Lingus account to both British Airways and Iberia's loyalty programs, giving you more flexibility when it comes to redeeming your points.
If you don't already have a British Airways Executive Club account, it's quick and easy to set one up. Once you're logged in, and you've transferred over your Avios from your AerClub account, you'll be able to redeem through British Airways' website.
Using the British Airways Executive Club is often considered one of the best ways to redeem Avios as it shows the reward availability for most other Oneworld airline members and British Airways-operated flights. For example, short-haul domestic US flights with American Airlines booked with Avios through ba.com start at as little as 9,000 Avios one-way. This can be significantly less than what you'd pay when using American Airlines AAdvantage miles through aa.com.
Similarly, there are sweet spots to be found when spending your Avios via Iberia Plus. This is because Iberia's award prices are also distance-based, rather than regional. This means that you can book round-trips to places in the Caribbean with American Airlines from just 11,000 Avios in economy class. Another example would be American Airlines in business class, this time round-trip from Miami to destinations like Bogotá, Columbia for just 46,000 Iberia Avios.
Redeeming Avios on flights with other Oneworld member airlines often means that surcharges (the fees you pay on top of the Avios) are not as high as when redeeming Avios on British Airways flights.
Aer Lingus Avios expire after 36 months of account inactivity, but even if you don't have travel plans any time soon, earning Avios by spending on the
Aer Lingus Credit Card Signature Benefits and Features
The
Economy companion ticket
A companion ticket is one of the most valuable travel perks there is. To earn an Aer Lingus Companion Ticket, cardmembers must spend $30,000 in a single calendar year.
Why's it so great? Well, it enables the user to purchase a flight for two people while paying for just one. Putting that into figures: You and a companion of your choice could fly to Dublin, Ireland for the price of a single ticket. Your companion flies with you for no cost, plus you'll only pay taxes and fees for a single passenger.
The Companion Ticket is only valid on Aer Lingus-operated flights in economy originating in and returning to the US or directly between the US and UK. Once you earn it, you must use it within 12 months, and only one voucher will be awarded in any given 12-month period.
Priority boarding
To make sure you're granted priority boarding, simply show your valid credit card at the gate before boarding. Passengers traveling with the
Baggage protection
If your baggage gets delayed or lost the
If your baggage is lost or damaged by the airline, then you and any immediate family member are entitled to up to $3,000 per passenger.
Purchase protection and extended warranty
The
When you use your card to pay for a qualifying item, you're eligible for an additional year on US manufacturer warranties of three years or less.
DoorDash DashPass
The card offers a complimentary DashPass membership, which gets you waived delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders with DoorDash and Caviar. To take advantage of the benefit, you'll need to activate it by December 31, 2024.
Gopuff credits
Cardholders receive $10 per month in Gopuff credits when they add their card as the default payment method in the Gopuff app. Gopuff is a rapid-delivery service that offers products like snacks, alcohol, and cleaning supplies.
You'll receive the credit in your card account after you make a qualifying purchase with Gopuff. There's a $3.95 delivery fee and minimum order amount of $10.
Aer Lingus Credit Card Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
Spending abroad can sometimes incur annoying extra fees that make your trip more expensive than it should be. That is not the case with the
If you carry a balance on the card, be aware there's a
- Balance transfer fees
- Cash advance fees
- Late payment fees
- Returned payment fees
How the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card Compares
Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs other airline cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 3x Avios on eligible flights with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL 2x Avios on hotels booked directly with the hotel 1x Avios on all other purchases | 2x miles on eligible United purchases 2x miles on dining 2x miles on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel 1 mile per dollar on everything else | 2x miles on eligible Delta purchases 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide 1 mile per eligible dollar on everything else |
Welcome bonus | |||
Card benefits | Priority boarding for the cardholder and authorized users on Aer Lingus flights from/to the US Companion Ticket after you spend $30,000 or more in a calendar year Complimentary year of DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) Baggage delay insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Purchase protection Extended warranty Visa Signature Concierge No foreign transaction fees | Free first checked bag Priority boarding 25% back on inflight purchases Two one-time United Club passes per anniversary year Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets (when available) for Premier members on eligible domestic United-operated flights (primary cardholder only) Expanded United award availability (no blackout dates) 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) for every $12,000 spent on purchases with the card, up to 3,000 PQP per calendar year Up to $100 every four years toward the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee Complimentary year of DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) Primary car rental insurance Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Trip delay reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Travel accident insurance Purchase protection Extended warranty Visa Signature Concierge No foreign transaction fees | Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights $100 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance Purchase protection Extended warranty Global Assist Hotline No foreign transaction fees
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Review |
Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs other travel rewards credit cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 3x Avios on eligible flights with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL 2x Avios on hotels booked directly with the hotel 1x Avios on all other purchases | 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 2x points on other travel 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases 5x total points on Lyft rides through March 2025 1 point per $1 spent | 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2x miles on other purchases |
Welcome bonus | |||
Card benefits | Priority boarding for the cardholder and authorized users on Aer Lingus flights from/to the US Companion Ticket after you spend $30,000 or more in a calendar year Complimentary year of DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) Baggage delay insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Purchase protection Extended warranty Visa Signature Concierge No foreign transaction fees | Complimentary year of DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) Primary car rental insurance Trip interruption/cancellation Trip delay insurance Baggage delay insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Extended warranty Purchase protection Travel and emergency assistance services Travel accident insurance Roadside dispatch No foreign transaction fees | Two complimentary Capital One Lounge visits each year Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit Car rental insurance*** Travel accident insurance*** Extended warranty on eligible purchases*** Purchase protection*** Lost luggage reimbursement*** Travel and emergency assistance services*** Roadside dispatch*** Visa Signature benefits No foreign transaction fees |
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Aer Lingus Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Aer Lingus Credit Card worth it?
The Aer Lingus Credit Card is worth it if you fly Aer Lingus frequently between the US and Ireland, or if you prefer earning Aer Lingus Avios points. That said, unless you'll use its airline-specific benefits like a companion ticket and priority boarding, a card that earns transferable points from a program that partners with Aer Lingus is a better bet.
What credit card points transfer to Aer Lingus?
Aer Lingus is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Bilt Rewards, all at a 1:1 ratio.
What bank issues the Aer Lingus Credit Card?
The Aer Lingus Credit Card is issued by Chase.
What credit score do I need for the Aer Lingus Credit Card?
Generally, you'll want a good credit score or better to be considered for the Aer Lingus card. That means a FICO score of at least 670. Keep in mind banks look at factors beyond your credit score to decide if they'll approve you for a card.
Methodology: How we reviewed the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card
Insider's credit card experts reviewed the
- Ease of use — Is the card's earning and redeeming structure easy to understand, and are there lots of ways to use rewards?
- Earning potential — Does the welcome bonus offer have a similar value to those of competing cards? Are the card's bonus categories useful, and do any have a spending cap?
- Fees — Annual fees are typical on airline credit cards, but are there benefits or savings that offset it?
- Benefits — Does the card come with travel and other perks that can save you money or make your journey more comfortable? Travelers especially value cards that offer travel insurance so we look at these benefits closely.
For more on our methodology, read about how we rate credit cards at Insider.