Aer Lingus Visa Signature Credit Card Review: Full Details

The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card offers great rewards and decent earning potential on Aer Lingus, Iberia and British Airways flights. However, it’s a bit lacking in airline-specific perks. Avios loyalty members can benefit from the card, but most casual travellers will be better off with a convertible card. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card Ranking Based on the opinions of TPG editors and not influenced by card issuers.

The Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card Best suited for travelers who frequently fly between the US and Europe.

This card only charges a $95 annual fee and you get a few airline benefits, but the rewards structure is nothing to write home about.

What sets this card apart is the ability to earn a decent amount of Avios with the welcome bonus. We’ll go into more detail about the bonus and how you can earn it below, but it’s still one of the card’s biggest selling points overall.

Suggestion credit score For this card it must be at least 670 or higher.

Let’s take a look at the card details to see if it’s right for you.

The Aer Lingus Visa currently offering 85,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.

According to TPG’s September 2024 report, those 85,000 Avios would be worth $1,190 valuation.

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This bonus is the card’s biggest selling point overall. Because you can use Greeting On Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways, earning rewards in Avios offers a bit more flexibility in earning and using rewards than other airline loyalty programs.

Remember that since this is a Chase card, it is subject to The Chase 5/24 rules. If you have opened five or more accounts with multiple card issuers within the past 24 months, you will almost certainly be denied this card.

As expected for a mid-range co-branded airline card, Aer Lingus Visa provides minimal privileges. With it you will get:

• Economy Class Companion Ticket: Receive an Economy Class Companion Pass each calendar year when you spend at least $30,000 on your card. This allows you to add a companion to a paid economy class flight at no additional cost, as long as you book the ticket by emailing Aer Lingus directly.
• Priority boarding: Primary cardholders and authorized users are eligible for priority boarding on any Aer Lingus flight to or from the United States
• No foreign transaction fees: You will not be charged extra fees when using your card abroad.
• Benefits of Visa Signature: As one Visa Signature card, you will receive additional benefits such as luggage protection, purchase protection, rental car insurance and access to Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

While these perks are nice, we were disappointed not to see any flight discounts or free checked baggage. When comparing the Aer Lingus Visa vs. British Airways Visa Signature® CardThis card really doesn’t have much benefit.

One of the biggest perks of the British Airways Visa card is the ability to save 10% on British Airways flights and the Travel Together benefit. This companion pass is earned after spending at least $30,000 in a calendar year, and you can add a companion to your Avios booking without adding points, up to first class, or use it yourself for a 50% discount on redemption costs.

Related: Credit cards can help you get free checked baggage

With Aer Lingus VisaYou will earn:

• 3 Avios per dollar spent on purchases at Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Level
• 2 Avios for every dollar spent on hotel accommodation when purchased directly with the hotel
• 1 Avios per dollar spent on all other purchases

As for flights, that’s not a bad return for a co-branded airline cardHowever, you will get a better return on your spending if you use a premium travel card like The Platinum Card® from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve® instead of.

Avios you earn with Aer Lingus Visa is a valuable travel currency that you can redeem for Aer Lingus or partner flights or transfer to other airlines earning Avios to redeem there.

But for those looking to take advantage of Aer Lingus’ route network, there are a number of strategic reasons to book on Aer Lingus. One of the competitive advantages is that the airline charges lower taxes and fees — which can save you hundreds of dollars on award flights.

Additionally, Aer Lingus has a strong North American route network and allows US travelers flying from Dublin or Shannon to clear US immigration in Ireland instead of having to wait until they land in the US.

Whether you’re booking Avios reward flights on Aer Lingus, British Airways or another partner airline, Avios offers you a wide range of redemption options, including Aer Lingus A321 Business Class from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for just 50,000 Avios and $152 in taxes during low season.

Related: How to book Aer Lingus award tickets with Avios

You can freely transfer Avios across Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways. And since the latter four are part of the Oneworld Allianceopens up many doors for award redemption options on airlines, including flying Qatar Airways‘ famous Qsuite.

You can also take a page from TPG’s veteran writer Ben SmithsonHis book. He regularly uses Avios to book one-way, short-haul flights from London to Europe for just 4,750 British Airways Avios each way, plus a reasonable £22 in fees, taxes and surcharges.

• If you prefer a more flexible currency and follow the 5/24 rule: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a solid card option that earns Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to Aer Lingus or any of its other hotel and airline partners. With this card, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. For more information, read Full Review of Chase Sapphire Preferred.
• If you like a flexible currency and go beyond the 5/24 rule: The American Express® Gold Card Earn Membership Rewards points. With these points, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent on restaurant dining (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly from the airline or amextravel.com, 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. For more information, read Full review of Amex Gold.
• If you prefer another airline to earn Avios: The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is an Avios loyalty card. The card earns 3 points per dollar spent on Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and Level. The card comes with useful benefits like 10% off when you book flights through a special link and a $1,000 coupon each year after you spend $30,000. For more information, read Full review of Iberia Visa.

For more options, see best airline cards.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Chase’s Transfer Partners

If you want to earn Avios, Aer Lingus Visa might be worth adding to your wallet. With a low annual fee, a valuable welcome bonus, and minimal benefits like priority boarding and the ability to earn companion tickets, this card is a solid choice for Aer Lingus fans. However, you can apply for British Airways Visa to save 10% on British Airways flights and get a much more useful companion certificate.

Related: Best Avios Earning Credit Cards: Which Card Is Right for You?

If Aer Lingus is your primary airline flying between the US and Europe, then it makes sense to take advantage of this offer and the card’s benefits. However, if this isn’t your primary airline, you’ll want to choose Different options to earn Avios.

Apply here: Aer Lingus Visa

Related: The best way to use Avios