Summary AerClub offers elite status levels based on Tier Credits earned each year, leading to benefits like lounge access and upgrades. Elite status benefits are exclusive to Aer Lingus flights, not applicable to other airlines, making AerClub a strong loyalty program for Aer Lingus frequent flyers only. Higher elite levels in AerClub provide valuable perks like complimentary upgrades and a free companion ticket - better benefits than some other Avios programs.
AerClub is the loyalty program of Aer Lingus. It allows travelers to earn Avios from flights and other sources, and use these for free flights and upgrades. Like most airline loyalty programs, it also offers benefits for frequent travelers through several elite status levels.
Although there are ways to earn and spend Avios with other airlines (including all one world airlines), this will not apply to elite status benefits. These are only offered on Aer Lingus flights. Elite status with AerClub AerClub offers four increasing levels of status - Green (entry level), Silver, Platinum and Concierge.
Status is awarded based on the number of Tier Credits earned each year. These are awarded differently from Avios – which are used purely for free flights and other awards. The levels are as follows: Elite level Tier Credits required Green (entry-level) 0 to 300 Tier Credits Silver 301 to 600 Tier Credits Platinum 601 to 1050 Tier Credits Concierge 1051 and over Tier Credits How to earn Tier Credits Elite status is awarded based on the number of Tier Credits earned within a year (with the qualification year based on the year from the date you first joined AerClub).
Tier Credits are earned only Aer Lingus or British Airways flights. They are awarded based on the ticketing airline, route and fare booking code of the ticket. Earnings vary from 7.
5 Tier Credits for Aer Lingus European flights on saver tickets, up to 200 Tier Credits for British Airways First class flights. AerClub publishes separate earnings tables for the following flight types: Aer Lingus ticketed and operated flights within Europe. Aer Lingus ticketed and operated Transatlantic flights.
British Airways operated flights ticketed by Aer Lingus or British Airways – short short-haul flights. British Airways operated flights ticketed by Aer Lingus or British Airways – short short-haul flights. Aer Lingus operated flights within Europe ticketed by British Airways.
Aer Lingus operated Transatlantic flights ticketed by British Airways. Some examples of these different earnings tables are given below. Elite status benefits with Aer Lingus The point of achieving elite status is to get benefits and better treatment when flying.
As Aer Lingus is not a member of any of the airline alliances, benefits will not be offered on other airlines. Benefits are particularly strong from the Silver level onwards. This first elite level offers priority airport handling, lounge access, and free cabin luggage.
Higher levels add complimentary upgrades, wider lounge access, free WiFi, and a free companion ticket. This is arguably better than you would get with the other Avios earning programs. You are losing the chance to get benefits on other airlines, but you are getting good benefits with Aer Lingus.
Read about elite status, tier levels, and benefits with British Airways Executive Club , Iberia Plus , and Qatar Airways Privilege Club . The entry-level of Green allows earning and spending of Avios, the collection of Tier Credits, and member offers – but no specific travel benefits. Benefits at each increasing elite level include: At Silver level: Tier bonus on Avios earning on Aer Lingus flights of 25%.
Priority check-in and boarding. Fast track security (at select airports). Lounge access (Aer Lingus and partner lounges, for the member only).
Free carry on bag. Gold level adds: Tier bonus on Avios earning on Aer Lingus flights of 50%. Lounge access including one guest.
Access to 51st&Green lounge at Dublin Airport. Priority waitlisting for upgrades. Complimentary upgrade (one one-way upgrade from economy to business on a transatlantic flight).
Concierge-level adds: Tier bonus on Avios earning on Aer Lingus flights of 75%. Four complimentary upgrades each year (one-way upgrades from economy to business on a transatlantic flight). One free companion return ticket per year (same route and cabin, taxes, and charges must be paid).
Dedicated Concierge help desk. Complimentary Wi-Fi on transatlantic flights. Guaranteed seat on a full flight (for full fare economy 24 hours in advance).
No change or cancelation fees for all Aer Lingus bookings (member only). Ability to gift one Silver elite level membership. Free change to earlier same-day flights (within 24 hours of departure).
Free upgrades and companion tickets for elite members Higher levels add complimentary upgrades and a free companion ticket. This is stronger than many other loyalty programs - free upgrades with non-US based program are unusual. If used correctly, these can be very valuable and make the AerClub program certainly worth using for frequent Aer Lingus flyers.
Complimentary upgrades are offered from the Platinum level: Platinum members receive one upgrade per year, and Concierge members receive four upgrades per year. These are each one-way upgrades that can be used on any transatlantic flight. Any cash economy ticket (at any price and any fare code) can be upgraded.
Upgrades are valid until the expiry date of the elite status. Upgrades cannot be applied online. You need to contact the Concierge help desk once you have an economy class booking (or before booking to check availability).
There is a separate AerClub allocation of upgrade space. Checking Avios availability for the business cabin will give an idea, but availability will be different. The Companion Ticket is a very valuable benefit offered only at the Concierge level: This allows a companion to receive a free return ticket when the member purchases a normal cash ticket.
The free ticket is for the same route, flights, and cabin as the purchased ticket. It is valid until the expiry date of Concierge status. It needs to be booked by contacting the Concierge help desk once you have an economy class booking (or before booking to check availability).
Further benefits, including complimentary upgrades, cannot be used..
