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Alaska and Aer Lingus to Partner, Miles Usable Between Both Airlines

March 26, 2018
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3 min read
Aer Lingus - Eric Salard
Alaska and Aer Lingus to Partner, Miles Usable Between Both Airlines
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The CEO of Aer Lingus said that Alaska and Irish carrier Aer Lingus will be forming a new partnership to serve travelers this spring.

In an interview with The Seattle Times, Aer Lingus CEO Stephan Kavanagh announced the partnership, which comes on the heels of the airlines' plans to expand in the US. Starting May 18, Aer Lingus will start year-round service between Seattle and Dublin.

But, the most exciting bit of news is that Kavanagh met with Alaska CEO Brad Tilden recently, and the airlines plan to "announce a formal partnership before flights commence in May."

This would allow for Aer Lingus passengers to connect to Alaska flights that go across the US, and passengers traveling on Alaska can connect to a new European destination. "That means Aer Lingus and Alaska frequent-flyer miles will be usable across the two airlines and Seattle connections can be booked along with the Dublin flight," The Seattle Times reports.

While details are slim, this is a great sign for both Alaska's MileagePlan program and Aer Lingus Avios. Aer Lingus recently partnered with Chase and announced its own co-brand credit card that will launch this spring.

It will likely be a while before anyone will actually be able to use miles for either of the airlines though. Alaska announced partnerships last year with both Singapore Airlines and Finnair, but there's still no news on when fliers will be able to redeem miles on the two carriers.

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Alaska has a strong mileage program, both on the earning and redeeming side. If accruing Alaska miles on Aer Lingus flights is anything like it is on its IAG partner British Airways, it could be quite lucrative for business and first-class fliers.

Redeeming MileagePlan miles or British Airways Avios on British Airways flights incurs high taxes and fees, but a way to avoid this is to use British Airways's Avois on Aer Lingus flights because the fees are much lower. It's possible the same will be true for using Alaska miles on Aer Lingus flights.

Flying through Dublin offers pre-clearance, which allows for travelers to deplane in the US as if they're getting off a domestic flight. Aer Lingus has a solid business class product that TPG's JT Genter reviewed last year.

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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.