NEW: British Airways unveils elite benefits when you fly with Aer Lingus

Yesterday we ran an article covering the new benefits that Aer Lingus AerClub elite members will get when flying on British Airways.

A lot of readers asked if the deal worked the other way – and to be honest, I didn’t know. These things are usually announced unilaterally if they happen.

24 hours later, however, British Airways announced new elite member benefits for people flying with Aer Lingus.

Remember that British Airways elite members have always earned Avios on Aer Lingus (in most ticket classes) and since April 2024 have been able to earn Executive Club tier points.

What elite benefits are Executive Club members getting on Aer Lingus?

For Bronze members of British Airways Executive Club:

If you are a Bronze member of the Executive Club flying on Aer Lingus, you will receive on ALL Aer Lingus-operated flights:

• Priority check-in for everyone on the booking, at a Premium or Business Class Aer Lingus desk
• Priority boarding for everyone on the booking

For Silver and Gold members of British Airways Executive Club:

It gets more interesting for Silver and Gold members of Executive Club:

On ALL Aer Lingus routes:

• Priority check-in for everyone on the booking, at a Premium or Business Class Aer Lingus desk
• Priority boarding for everyone on the booking
• Extra baggage allowance

On transatlantic routes ONLY:

• Priority security for you plus one
• Lounge access for you plus one
• Extra baggage allowance (varies between Silver and Gold)

There is some small print here:

• Priority security – you need to be on a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight (or connecting to one) and be flying from Dublin, Shannon, London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Belfast or Birmingham

• Lounge access – you need to be a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight and can access the lounges listed on this page of the Aer Lingus website, except for Barbados

• Extra baggage allowance – Silver members will get one extra 23kg bag when travelling on Aer Lingus-operated flights in Economy, excluding EI Saver Fares. Gold Members will get an extra 23kg bag when travelling in any cabin on Aer Lingus-operated flights.

Our recent review of the refurbished Aer Lingus lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2 is here.

What happens to the old BA Gold and Silver lounge benefit?

Historically, British Airways Executive Club Gold and Silver members could use the Aer Lingus lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2, with no guests, when flying on Aer Lingus to Ireland.

In Dublin (and only Dublin), BA Gold and Silver members could use the Aer Lingus lounge when flying to London (and only London).

I am assuming that this arrangement will continue, given that the email from BA yesterday described the new benefits as ‘additional’. We will find out very quickly if not!

You can find out more on this page of the Executive Club website.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.