Aer Lingus Visa Signature credit card review: Full...

The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card gives a compelling welcome provide and stable rewards for frequent transatlantic vacationers, notably these loyal to Aer Lingus, Iberia and British Airways flights. Whereas the cardboard lacks a number of the premium airline-specific perks you would possibly anticipate, it may be a helpful instrument for Avios collectors who steadily fly between the U.S. and Europe. Nevertheless, most informal vacationers shall be higher off with a card that earns a transferable foreign money. Card Ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card Rating relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

With a manageable $95 annual payment, the cardboard features a few worthwhile travel benefits, however its ongoing rewards construction is comparatively modest in comparison with rivals.

One standout function is the beneficiant welcome bonus, which will help you rapidly construct a wholesome steadiness of Avois. We’ll dive into the small print in regards to the bonus and how one can earn it under, however that continues to be one of many greatest promoting factors for the cardboard general.

We suggest candidates have a credit score of at the very least 670 or larger to extend their possibilities of approval.

Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at what this card has to supply.

The data for the Aer Lingus Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Associated: British Airways Executive Club: Guide to Avios, elite status and transfer partners

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These 85,000 Avios are value $1,190, in keeping with TPG’s April 2025 valuations.

This bonus is the cardboard’s greatest promoting level general. Since you should utilize Avios throughout Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways interchangeably, incomes a bonus in Avios gives slightly extra flexibility in incomes and burning rewards in comparison with different airline loyalty applications.

Keep in mind that since it is a Chase card, it does adhere to the Chase 5/24 rule. In the event you’ve opened 5 or extra accounts throughout issuers up to now 24 months, you may possible be denied for this card.

Associated: Airlines you can book using Avios: How to maximize your points

As anticipated for a mid-tier cobranded airline card, the Aer Lingus Visa gives some perks although they really feel minimal in comparison with different playing cards of comparable caliber. With it, you may get:

• Economic system Companion Ticket: Get an Economic system Companion Ticket each calendar 12 months that you just spend at the very least $30,000 in your card. This lets you add a companion to a paid financial system flight at no further value to you, as long as you e book by emailing Aer Lingus immediately.
• Precedence boarding: Main cardholders and licensed customers are eligible for precedence boarding on any Aer Lingus flight to and from the U.S. and Eire or the U.Ok.
• No overseas transaction charges: You will not be charged further charges when using your card abroad.
• Visa Signature advantages: As a Visa Signature card, you may get further advantages like baggage protection, purchase protection, rental car insurance and entry to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

Whereas these perks are advantageous, the cardboard falls brief compared to different airline playing cards — particularly relating to inflight reductions or complimentary checked luggage, that are noticeably absent.

When evaluating the Aer Lingus Visa to the British Airways Visa Signature® Card (see rates and fees), the cardboard actually falls brief when it comes to advantages.

One of many best perks of the British Airways Visa card is the power to save lots of 10% off British Airways flights and have entry to the precious Travel Together Ticket.

This perk is earned after spending at the very least $30,000 in a calendar 12 months and lets you deliver a companion on an Avois award reserving — with out requiring further Avios — even in firstclass. Alternatively, solo vacationers can use the ticket to chop the Avios value of a reward redemption in half.

When stacked up in opposition to these choices, the Aer Lingus Visa does not deliver the identical stage of long-term worth for loyal flyers.

Associated: British Airways Visa Signature credit card review

Incomes Avios on the Aer Lingus Visa

With the Aer Lingus Visa, you may earn:

• 3 Avios per greenback spent on purchases with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Stage
• 2 Avios per greenback spent on resort lodging when bought immediately with the resort
• 1 Avios per greenback spent on all different purchases

For flights, that is not a foul return for a cobranded airline card. Nevertheless, you may get a greater return on spending for those who use a premium journey card like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) as an alternative.

Associated: The best travel credit cards to add to your wallet

However for these trying to capitalize on the Aer Lingus route community, there are some strategic causes for reserving on Aer Lingus. One of many aggressive benefits is that it fees decrease taxes and charges — which might prevent a whole lot of {dollars} on award flights.

Moreover, Aer Lingus has a stable North American route community and permits U.S. travelers flying out of Dublin or Shannon to clear U.S. immigration in Eire moderately than ready till they land within the U.S.

Whether or not you are reserving Avios award flights on Aer Lingus, British Airways or one other companion airline, Avios provides you numerous redemption choices, like flights between the US and Eire for 13,000 Avios each way.

Associated: How to redeem Avios for domestic and international award flights

You may freely switch Avios throughout Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways. For the reason that latter 4 are a part of the Oneworld alliance, this opens up many doorways for redemption choices throughout airways, together with flying Qatar Airways‘ famed Qsuite.

You might additionally take a web page from TPG senior author Ben Smithson. He repeatedly makes use of Avios to e book one-way, short-haul flights from London to Europe for simply 4,750 British Airways Avios every manner, plus an inexpensive $22 in charges, taxes and surcharges.

You may earn Avios on Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia cobranded bank cards. Plus, Aer Lingus is among the Chase Ultimate Rewards switch companions, so you could be higher off getting a card that earns that foreign money and transferring your factors over as wanted.

• In the event you desire a extra versatile foreign money and are beneath the 5/24 rule: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a stable card choice that earns Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to switch to Aer Lingus or any of its different resort and airline companions. With it, you may earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, 2 factors per greenback spent on journey and 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases. For extra data, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
• In the event you desire a versatile foreign money and are over the 5/24 rule: The American Express® Gold Card earns Membership Rewards factors. With it, you may obtain 4 factors per greenback spent on eating at eating places worldwide (as much as $50,000 per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback) and at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback), 3 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately from the airline or amextravel.com, 2 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go accommodations and different eligible purchases booked by way of amextravel.com and 1 level per greenback spent on every little thing else. For extra data, learn our full review of the Amex Gold.
• In the event you desire one other Avios-earning airline: The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is an airline card that earns Avios. It earns 3 factors per greenback spent on Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Stage. This card has helpful advantages resembling 10% low cost once you e book flights by way of a particular hyperlink and a $1,000 low cost voucher annually after you spend $30,000. For extra data, learn our full review of the Iberia Visa.

For added choices, take a look at our best airline cards.

The data for the Iberia Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Associated: Everything to know about Chase transfer partners

If you wish to earn Avios, the Aer Lingus Visa could also be value including to your pockets. With a low annual payment, helpful welcome bonus and minimal advantages like priority boarding and the power to earn a companion ticket, this card is first rate for Aer Lingus followers. Nonetheless, you could be higher off making use of for the British Airways Visa so as to save 10% on British Airways flights and earn a way more helpful companion certificates.

Associated: The best Avios-earning credit cards: Which is the one for you?

If Aer Lingus is your go-to airline for journey between the U.S. and Europe, this card is usually a sensible approach to earn Avios — particularly with the beneficiant welcome provide — and faucet into just a few helpful perks. Nevertheless, if this is not your major airline, you may wish to earn Avios with a different card.

Associated: The best ways to use Avios with British Airways