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American Airlines AAdvantage elite members can now enjoy benefits when flying Aer Lingus
Ben Smithson
Senior writer
Ben Smithson is a travel loyalty expert based in London.
Nov. 20, 2024
•
4 min read
American Airlines AAdvantage elite members can now enjoy benefits when flying Aer Lingus
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If you hold elite status within the American Airlines AAdvantage program, you can now enjoy reciprocal benefits when flying to Ireland and beyond on Aer Lingus.
While mileage earning of AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points between American and Dublin-based Aer Lingus was implemented in December 2023, new benefits are now available for elite members of American's Advantage program when they fly with Aer Lingus and elite Aer Lingus AerClub members when they fly with American.
Keep reading to find out the details below.
Related: American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
AAdvantage elite members can enjoy perks when flying Aer Lingus
AAdvantage Gold members can enjoy the following new benefits when flying with Aer Lingus:
- 40% bonus miles (a total of 7 miles per dollar spent on base fares and carrier-imposed surcharges)
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding
AAdvantage Platinum members can enjoy:
- 60% bonus miles (a total of 8 miles per dollar spent on base fares and carrier-imposed surcharges)
- Priority check-in
- Fast-track security
- Priority boarding
- Lounge access with one guest
- One additional checked bag in economy class
AAdvantage Platinum Pro members can enjoy:
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- 80% bonus miles (a total of 9 miles per dollar spent on base fares and carrier-imposed surcharges)
- Priority check-in
- Fast-track security
- Priority boarding
- Lounge access with one guest
- One additional checked bag in all classes
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members can enjoy:
- 120% bonus miles (a total of 11 miles per dollar spent on base fares and carrier-imposed surcharges)
- Priority check-in
- Fast-track security
- Priority boarding
- Lounge access with one guest
- One additional checked bag in all classes
Aer Lingus is part of the International Airlines Group, which owns Oneworld partners British Airways and Iberia. From Dec. 2, 2024, AerClub elite members can also enjoy new benefits when flying with British Airways. Members will be notified of the exact benefits in the coming days, according to a press release from Aer Lingus.
Aer Lingus operates its own lounges at Dublin Airport (DUB) — including a new U.S. Preclearance lounge called 51st&Green — plus London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). It also allows eligible passengers to access American Airlines Flagship Lounges and Admirals Clubs at all U.S. locations when departing, connecting or arriving on Aer Lingus-operated flights.
The news follows recent expansions to Aer Lingus' U.S. route network. With the delivery of the new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the airline will launch nonstop service from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to DUB four times per week from April 12, 2025, and from Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to DUB, also four times per week but from May 3, 2025.
The carrier will operate 24 transatlantic routes to North America and the Caribbean in 2025.
At this time, you cannot redeem AAdvantage miles to book award travel on Aer Lingus; however, American's website states that this reciprocal perk is "coming soon."
Bottom line
While the benefits of this airline partnership for travelers have been slow to materialize, it is great to see that elite members of American Airlines' AAdvantage program can now enjoy various travel perks when flying Aer Lingus to Ireland or beyond.
If you hold elite status in the AAdvantage program, remember to add your membership number to your next Aer Lingus booking to take "advantage" of the new perks.
Featured image by NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.