AerClub is the loyalty programme of Aer Lingus, designed to reward frequent flyers with more than just a seat on a plane. By using Avios as its reward currency, AerClub integrates into a global ecosystem of travel rewards, making it a powerful tool for anyone looking to book flights using Avios.
If you are planning Aer Lingus holidays or a quick Aer Lingus flight to Europe, understanding how to navigate the tiers and maximise your points is key to unlocking premium travel experiences.
AerClub - Avios and Tier Credits
How to earn AerClub Avios
Earning points isn't limited to just an Aer Lingus flight. You can build your balance through several channels:
- Partner Airlines: You can collect Avios when flying with partner airlines like British Airways
- AerClub eStore: Much like other shopping portals, you can earn points on everyday purchases from hundreds of retail brands.
- Credit Card Partners: AerClub is a transfer partner for major flexible points programmes like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, allowing you to top up your account instantly.
- Lifestyle Partners: Earn on the ground through hotel bookings (like Marriott Bonvoy) or car rentals with Avis and Budget.
How to earn Tier Credits
Tier Credits are awarded per one-way flight and are fixed according to the fare type. They cannot be spent; instead, they determine your status level within the programme.
Short-Haul (Europe)
- Saver (Discount): 7.5 Credits
- Plus: 25 Credits
- Advantage: 40 Credits
- AerSpace: 50 Credits
Transatlantic
- Saver: 15 Credits
- Smart: 50 Credits
- Flex: 75 Credits
- Business: 125 Credits
- Business Flex: 175 Credits
AerClub Status Tiers and Benefits
AerClub features four distinct tiers. As you move up, you unlock increasingly valuable perks that improve your "day-of-travel" experience.
| Tier | Tier Credits Required | Key Benefits |
| Green | 0 | The entry level. You can collect Avios and access member-only offers. |
| Silver | 301 | Priority check-in, priority boarding, and lounge access (for the member). |
| Platinum | 601 | All Silver perks plus lounge access for a guest and one complimentary transatlantic upgrade. |
| Concierge | 1,051 | The top tier. Includes four transatlantic upgrades, a companion ticket, and free Wi-Fi. |
Why Status Matters for Avios Collectors
Higher tiers don't just offer comfort; they offer efficiency. From Silver level upwards, members receive a "Tier Bonus" on the Avios they earn:
- Silver: 25% bonus
- Platinum: 50% bonus
- Concierge: 75% bonus
This means higher-tier members reach their next reward flight significantly faster than those at the entry level.
Crediting and Combining: British Airways, Iberia, and AerClub
A common question for new members is: which airlines use Avios? Aer Lingus shares this currency with several major partners, including British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Finnair, and Vueling. This shared currency makes it incredibly easy to know how to use Avios points for maximum value.
One of the most powerful features of the Avios currency is the ability to "Combine My Avios", i.e. to move points between AerClub and the British Airways Club. This allows savvy travellers to take advantage of BA’s extensive route network.
Crediting Your Flights
When you fly on a British Airways ticket, you aren't forced to credit those points to a BA account. If you are chasing status with Aer Lingus, you can credit your BA flights to AerClub to earn Tier Credits and Avios there instead. Similarly, frequent flyers often credit flights to Iberia Plus if they are looking to take advantage of Iberia’s lower tax rates on specific transatlantic routes.
Booking BA Seats with AerClub Avios
You can use your AerClub Avios to book British Airways seats in two ways:
- Directly via the Avios portal: Log in to your AerClub account to search for partner reward flights.
- The "Transfer and Search" Method: Most experts prefer to move their AerClub Avios into a British Airways Club account. Once the points are moved (which is instant and free), you can use Reward Flight Finder (RFF) to find the perfect BA seat and book directly on the BA website.
The Ultimate Shortcut: RFF
If you are looking to book flights using Avios on British Airways, searching through airline websites can be a frustrating experience of trial and error. This is where RFF becomes your most valuable asset.
RFF is designed specifically to solve the "availability headache." Instead of searching date by date on a clunky airline interface, RFF allows you to:
- See a Year at a Glance: View every available reward seat for the next 355 days on a single page.
- Set Instant Alerts: This is the "killer feature." If the seats you want aren't available, you can set an Alert. RFF’s system scans British Airways availability around the clock and will notify you the second a seat is released, allowing you to book it before anyone else.
- Filter by Cabin: Only interested in Business or First? RFF lets you filter your search so you only see the premium seats you’re actually looking for.
Why Strategy Matters
Knowing which airlines use Avios is only half the battle; knowing how to use Avios points to avoid high surcharges or find hidden availability is what separates a casual traveller from a pro. By combining the earning power of AerClub with the Search and Alert capabilities of RFF, you ensure that your points never go to waste.
Knowing how to use Avios points strategically—such as transferring them to British Airways for a long-haul upgrade or using them for Aer Lingus' low-tax regional flights—is the secret to travelling further for less.
