Aer Lingus award tickets are now bookable on British Airways’ website — with a catch
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Aer Lingus and British Airways have a close relationship. They’re both owned by the same parent company (International Airlines Group) and both use Avios as their frequent flyer mileage currencies. What’s more, you can transfer Avios between your British Airways Executive Club account and your Aer Lingus AerClub account.
Oddly though, it historically hasn’t been possible to book Aer Lingus awards directly through British Airways’ website. Instead, you had to find saver award space via another airline website and then go through a lengthy telephone process to book.
Well, that’s no longer the case. British Airways now allows you to book Aer Lingus awards online. However, as discovered by Head for Points, there’s a major catch.
Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG’s free daily newsletter.
Booking Aer Lingus awards through British Airways online
Aer Lingus award tickets are now bookable on the British Airways website and display alongside other partner awards. Simply search through the “book with Avios” page as you would for any other British Airways award ticket and you should see all flights with open award space.
The award rates are the same as for British Airways and Iberia flights. A one-way flight between 3,001 and 4,000 miles in distance, such as from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Dublin Airport (DUB), would cost 13,000 to 20,000 Avios in economy class and 50,000 to 60,000 Avios in business class, depending on the peak or off-peak date.
Related: Maximizing the British Airways distance-based award chart
But here’s where things get ugly. The surcharges are much higher than they used to be. A one-way transatlantic business-class award originating in the U.S. can now set you back over $700 in taxes, fees and carrier charges. Historically, these flights had much more reasonable surcharges of around $150. While not as drastic, economy and intra-Europe flights got a bit more expensive as well.
There’s a workaround
Interestingly, the higher surcharges only apply when booking through British Airways. You can still pay significantly lower surcharges when booking directly through Aer Lingus Aer Club. And remember, you can freely transfer Avios between the programs at a 1:1 ratio. Availability should be consistent between the sites, but that isn’t always the case. So be sure to search on both sites before transferring any points.
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t unprecedented for British Airways. You may also find lower surcharges when booking a long-haul Iberia-operated flight with Avios in your Iberia Plus account instead of your British Airways Executive Club account.
Related: Aer Lingus business class on the A321neo, Dublin to Philadelphia
Earning British Airways Avios
British Airways Avios are among the easiest miles to earn. You can boost your balance by transferring points from most major flexible points programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
If you’re short on these types of rewards, you can quickly earn a large chunk with a welcome bonus from a new travel rewards credit card. Here are some of the top offers currently available:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases the first three months from opening your account.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases with the card in the first six months of card membership.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Related: Save on taxes and fees: How to transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia
Bottom line
While it’s great to see British Airways add Aer Lingus awards to its online booking engine, the higher surcharges are not welcome. Luckily, you can get around paying more by transferring your British Airways Avios to Aer Lingus and booking directly through its Aer Club program.
Featured photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.