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

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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
  • 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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Category

Aer Lingus and AerClub, British Airways and Avios

Comments (37)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • NorthernLass says:
    22 Nov22 November 05:26

    Is it confirmed that this is with immediate effect? I am flying with EI on Sunday and priority check in and extra baggage would be very useful!

    • W says:
      22 Nov22 November 09:00

      Benefits for EI elites on BA kick in on 2nd December, might be the same dates for BA elites on EI

      • NorthernLass says:
        22 Nov22 November 10:27

        I can’t see a date anywhere, but might have missed something. Ba.com just says “now”, which I have screenshotted to take to the airport!

    • BlairWaldorfSalad says:
      22 Nov22 November 14:24

      @NorthernLass In MAN T1, the EI check in area doesn’t always show on screen where priority check in is. I was told by the ground agent to stand to the right of the main queue and they’d get to me as a priority.

  • roberto says:
    22 Nov22 November 06:17

    I am flying EI on a BA plated 125 Avios ticket Malaga to Dublin and was hoping to use the lounge and book seats for free. It appears neither is an option as a BA status passenger although if I was an equivalent EI passenger I would enjoy both perks.

    • W says:
      22 Nov22 November 08:57

      EI elite don’t have free seat selection on EI metal

      • NorthernLass says:
        22 Nov22 November 11:27

        O’Leary doesn’t run this EI as well, does he 🤷‍♀️😂

        • daveinitalia says:
          22 Nov22 November 13:58

          Ryanair has had a lot of influence on Aer Lingus over the years, there was even a time Ryanair owned shares in EI. Many of the decisions to make the shorthaul product like a low cost carrier and EI’s decision to pull out of oneworld the first time were probably influenced by Ryanair either as a competitor or a shareholder

          • W says:
            22 Nov22 November 14:43

            EI do have some good perks once you reach concierge such as TATL upgrades. Advance seat selection would be the icing on cake

    • JoeMc says:
      22 Nov22 November 20:14

      EI also does not provide lounge access in Malaga for EI elites so you are not missing out on anything

  • The real Swiss Tony says:
    22 Nov22 November 06:52

    Appreciate this is splitting hairs but what combination of flights would get you priority security at Belfast? BHD-LHR-DUB-(USA)???

    Is this a hint that EI are about to start TATL from BFS again?

    Or does BA metal with an EI flight number count for the TATL leg?

  • Paul W says:
    22 Nov22 November 07:09

    Looks like seat selection is still payable for BA Silver and upwards?

    • Rich says:
      22 Nov22 November 07:34

      Indeed, no mention of free seat selection above. They could have gone further with the harmonisation but have stopped short of offering any pre travel perks.

    • SBIre says:
      22 Nov22 November 20:18

      I’m gutted seat selection is not included! It is so annoying booking a BA flight flown by EI with a BA flight number and not getting it

  • John says:
    22 Nov22 November 07:33

    If flying from Manchester to Dublin then onwards to states still unable to access Dublin lounge ( gold and silver BA) unless flying aer Lingus business.

  • Biarritzsurf says:
    22 Nov22 November 08:18

    Why doesn’t Aer Lingus just join Oneworld? Any ideas?

    • JDB says:
      22 Nov22 November 08:49

      Too expensive, too complex to integrate IT, not really necessary given the Aer Lingus business model within IAG.

  • Dror says:
    22 Nov22 November 08:41

    Last I checked, Aer Lingus flights did not qualify for the double tier points deal with BA holidays. Does this announcement change that? Could I now include an Aer Lingus flight in a BA holidays itinerary and earn double tier points?

    • NorthernLass says:
      22 Nov22 November 08:46

      I thought they qualified if they had a BA flight number, or is EI specifically excluded? If so, I’m not seeing anything here that would change that. The BAH Ts and Cs will still apply unless modified.

      • Barrel for Scraping says:
        22 Nov22 November 08:48

        Aer Lingus for some reason used to be listed as an exception in the T&Cs (along with LATAM and China Southern which are still listed)

    • Barrel for Scraping says:
      22 Nov22 November 08:46

      I’ve just checked now and Aer Lingus have now been removed from the exceptions list in the T&Cs. It now says Please note: Flights marketed by British Airways with or without a BA flight number that are operated by China Southern or LATAM are not eligible for Tier Points.

  • Paul says:
    22 Nov22 November 09:15

    Do you still have to book the flight on the BA website or you can book on aer lingus? As aer lingus can be quite cheaper and have some different fair options

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