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Aer Lingus is the flag carrier airline of Ireland, and operates their loyalty program called AerClub which offers members numerous rewards and benefits. At the core of this loyalty program is the digital currency known as Avios, which can be collected, combined with Avios earned with other airlines like British Airways or Iberi, and redeemed for various perks such as flights, upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays. Below we will delve into the details of AerClub and how the program works.
How to Earn Avios
As a member of the AerClub program, you can earn points when booking flights with Aer Lingus or its partner airlines. Members will earn 3 Avios for every Euro spent on Aer Lingus flights, excluding taxes and fees. However, if you are flying on partner airlines, the number of Avios you earn corresponds to the distance flown and fare class. Avios will not expire as long as there is activity in your account once very 36 months. Additionally, AerClub members earn tier credits on flights operated by Aer Lingus based on route and fare type. Tier credits count towards earning elite level status and unlock additional benefits.
Redeeming Avios for Reward Flights
Redeeming Avios for reward flights is done through avios.com where you can search for flights, hotels, and combine points from different Avios earning partners.
On average, for a one way off-peak flight, members can expect to spend 4,000 to 16,250 Avios per one way flights depending on route and class. Aer Lingus provides a document that breaks down the exact amount of Avios needed for rewards flights on various routes offered.
Tiers
Tier credits operate on a 12 month qualification period. After the 12th month has passed, your tier credits will reset; however, you keep whichever tier you’ve obtained until the end of the next qualification period.
Aer Lingus provides useful charts to explain the amount of tier credits members earn on flights within Europe and on Transatlantic routes — shown below.
Earning tier credits on oneway flights within Europe
| Fare Type | Tier Credits earned per one-way flight* | Sample fare basis |
|---|---|---|
| Saver (Sale or promotional fares- fare classes A,G,P,O within Europe) | 7.5 | GOW26 |
| Saver | 15 | QOW26 |
| Plus | 25 | A98APLUS |
| Advantage | 40 | AA26FLEX |
| AerSpace** (Fare classes J, C, D ,I) | 50 | D18GAESP |
Earning tier credits on Transatlantic flights
| Fare Type | Tier Credits earned per one-way flight* | Sample fare basis |
|---|---|---|
| Saver | 15 | RL2NSAVR |
| Smart (Sale or promotional fares classes P, A, G, O, Z, Q on transatlantic flights) | 25 | PL2NIEWB |
| Smart | 50 | VL26NSNS |
| Flex | 75 | GL62USFF |
| Business | 125 | D30BUSBR |
| Business Flex (Applies to corporate bookings on J class only) | 175 | J26GDSOW |
Moving Up The Tier Ladder
AerClub has a 4 tier system based on the number of tier credits collected on flights operated by Aer Lingus. The 4 tiers are Green, Silver, Platinum and Concierge. Each offers its own unique set of benefits and allows members to accumulate Avios faster on purchases.
Green
Member are automatically enrolled in Green tier upon registration for the AerClub rewards program. Benefits include:
- The ability to collect Avios and tier credits.
- Exclusive AerClub member reward offers for collecting and spending Avios.
Silver
In order to reach the Silver, members need to accumulate 301 tier credits in their membership year. Additional benefits are:
- Additional 25% in bonus points on Aer Lingus flights.
- Priority check-in and boarding.
- Fast track security lines at Dublin, Shannon, London Heathrow, Belfast, Birmingham and Amsterdam airports.
- Lounge access: Members have access to Aer Lingus lounges in Ireland, London Heathrow and New York (JFK).
- Free 10kg carry on bag.
- Ability to pause your AerClub status for serious illness, maternity or adoption leave.
Platinum
AerClub Members need to have banked 601 tier credits in a membership year. Benefits include:
- 50% more Avios on Aer Lingus flights.
- Access to 51st & Green lounge at Dublin Airport.
- Fast track and lounge access for one companion.
- One-way complimentary upgrade to business class on transatlantic flight. In order to request this onetime Platinum upgrade, members will need to email [email protected] with flight details.
- Priority waitlist for complimentary upgrades.
Concierge
The fourth and final tier of the AerClub program is achieved by accumulating 1,051 tier credits in a membership year. Benefits include:
- 75% extra Avios on Aer Lingus flights.
- Dedicated concierge help desk.
- 4 complimentary one-way upgrades to business class on transatlantic flight. Upgrades are obtained by contacting the Concierge help desk.
- One free return companion ticket: The companion ticket will match the same cabin class as the concierge members. So for example, if the Concierge member is flying first class, then the companion will fly first class for free. However taxes and fees do apply.
- Guaranteed seat on a full flight with 24 hours notice.
- Free Wi-Fi on transatlantic flights.
- Waived change fees and refund administration fees on all Aer Lingus bookings. Note: third party and tour operated bookings are not eligible for this benefit.
- Ability to nominate a green tier member to Silver status.
- Travel earlier than expected: this benefits allows concierge members to request an earlier departure time within 24 hours notice, free of charge.
Airline Partners
One of the negative aspects to the AerClub rewards program is its limited list of airline partners. Members can earn Avios with British Airways and United Airlines by providing their AerClub membership number at booking. As noted earlier in the article, the number of Avios you can earn per flight depends on the class and distance flown. The amount of Avios members can earn on partnered flights are:
British Airways
| Cabin | Class | % Credited |
|---|---|---|
| First | F | 300% |
| First | A | 250% |
| Business | J, D, C | 250% |
| Business | I, R | 150% |
| Premium Economy* | W | 150% |
| Premium Economy* | E, T | 100% |
| Economy | Y, B, H | 100% |
| Discount Economy | K, L, M, V, S, N | 50% |
| Discount Economy | O, Q, G | 25% |
United
| Class of operated service | Operated by United Airlines | Award mile earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business | ‘J’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Z’, ‘P’, ‘O’, ‘A’, ‘R’, ‘Y’, ‘B’ | 100% |
| Full Fare Economy | ‘M’, ‘E’, ‘U’, ‘H’ | 75% |
| Economy | ‘Q’, ‘V’, ‘W’, ‘S’, ‘T’ | 50% |
| Discount Economy | ‘L’, ‘K’, ‘G’, ‘N’ | 25% |
| No Mileage Credit | ‘F’, ‘I’, ‘X’ | 0% |
Car Rental Partners
AerClub members can earn Avios when renting a vehicle from Avis or Budget. In order to earn Avios on your car rental, members need to book directly through cars.aerlingus.com, select your tier status level and provide your AerClub membership number. The amount of Avios members will earn on car rentals are:
Avis
Members earn 5 Avios per Euro spent on rentals. Additionally, Avis will add an additional driver at no cost. If you join Avis Preferred, you receive 1,000 bonus Avios on your first rental.
Budget
AerClub members earn 2 Avios per Euro spent on Budget car rentals.
Hotel Partners
AerClub has partnered with four major hotel chains. This partnership allows travelers to earn and redeem points for both flights and hotel stays. The four hotel chains included in this partnership and the amount of Avios members will earn are:
| Avios Hotels | Marriott Bonvoy | The Merrion Dublin | Melia |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Avios per Euro spent when booked through Avios Hotels. | 2 Avios per dollar spent. Ability to convert 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 Avios. | 2 Avios per Euro spent | 3 Avios for every Euro spent. |
Conclusion
Overall, the Aer Lingus rewards program AerClub is on par with most frequent flyer rewards programs. One of the main advantages of AerClub is its tier system, which offers benefits and rewards based on the member’s tier level and allows members to earn bonus points on flight purchases. Additionally, AerClub regularly offers promotions and bonuses, giving members the chance to earn even more points on their travels. These promotions can range from bonus point offers on specific routes to cross-promotions with partner companies. Overall, AerClub provides a well-rounded rewards program for loyal Aer Lingus customers that allows you to earn Avios, a currency that can be combined and used on multiple airlines so that you have more options for reward travel.
Editorial Note: Information and opinions articulated in this article are solely those of the author’s, not those of a credit card company, bank, airline or hotel chain. This article has not been reviewed or approved by or otherwise endorsed by any of these companies or organizations.
