In an industry where airline alliances dictate most loyalty partnerships, the collaboration between Aer Lingus and United Airlines stands out. While Aer Lingus remains independent of the major airline alliances, its Avios-based AerClub programme allows members to earn points when flying with United. This agreement is particularly valuable for travellers seeking to maximise their Avios earnings beyond traditional British Airways and Iberia routes.
This arrangement is one of the biggest oddities in the Avios ecosystem. As there are six separate Avios loyalty schemes—British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Vueling Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Finnair Plus—each with its own partners, unusual opportunities can emerge.
A Legacy Partnership That Endures
Before Aer Lingus became part of International Airlines Group (IAG) in 2015, it operated the Gold Circle Club, its standalone frequent flyer programme. Gold Circle allowed passengers to earn and redeem points primarily on Aer Lingus and select partners, including United Airlines. Unlike today’s Avios-based AerClub, Gold Circle had high thresholds for redemption, which limited its accessibility to casual travellers.
Surprisingly, even after IAG took ownership and phased out Gold Circle in favour of AerClub and Avios, the partnership with United persisted. Even when Aer Lingus and United ended their codeshare agreement in 2023, the ability to earn Avios on United flights remained intact. This enduring connection between the two airlines, despite no direct alliance ties, makes this partnership particularly unique within the industry.
How the Partnership Works
Unlike conventional alliances that enable both earning and redemption across partners, this arrangement is earning-only. When flying with United Airlines, passengers can credit their flights to Aer Lingus’ AerClub, accumulating Avios based on distance and fare class.
- Booking Considerations: To ensure Avios are credited, passengers must enter their AerClub membership number when booking their United flight.
- Earning Structure: While specific fare class earnings vary, premium cabins typically earn more than economy tickets. The percentage of Avios earned is based on the number of miles flown.
- Redemption Limits: Currently, Avios cannot be redeemed for United flights, meaning passengers must transfer their Avios to British Airways Executive Club or another Avios-linked programme for use on alternative airlines.
A Wider Industry Trend?
This non-alliance partnership is a growing trend in aviation. While traditional alliances like Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance dominate the loyalty landscape, many airlines—including Aer Lingus—are forging bilateral agreements that provide more tailored benefits to their frequent flyers. JetBlue and American Airlines’ now-defunct Northeast Alliance, and the continuing cooperation between Alaska Airlines and British Airways, exemplify how airlines are finding new ways to reward their most loyal customers outside of rigid alliance structures.
Moreover, this trend reflects the increasing flexibility of airline loyalty programmes. As seen with Avios’ ability to transfer between British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Finnair, airlines are recognising the value of giving passengers greater freedom in earning and using their points.
Interestingly, British Airways has shifted to an Avios earning model based on ticket cost (starting at 6 Avios per £1 spent, excluding taxes). This means that, for some passengers, flying United Airlines and crediting to AerClub could be more lucrative than earning directly with British Airways Executive Club. However, United flights do not earn British Airways Tier Points, which may be a factor for status-conscious flyers.
What This Means for Travellers
For savvy frequent flyers, this expands earning potential significantly. A traveller who prefers flying United domestically within the US can now earn Avios instead of United MileagePlus points, which may be more beneficial depending on their travel goals. Given Aer Lingus’ low surcharges and excellent transatlantic award availability, these Avios can unlock premium flights at lower redemption costs compared to British Airways.
However, to take advantage of this opportunity, passengers must be members of Aer Lingus AerClub and cannot use their British Airways Executive Club number when flying United. Avios earned through AerClub can then be moved to British Airways via ‘Combine My Avios’, allowing for greater flexibility in redemptions.
Final Thoughts
While not a full-fledged partnership, this arrangement between Aer Lingus and United Airlines is a valuable opportunity for Avios collectors. It exemplifies the modern shift towards more dynamic, passenger-friendly loyalty agreements, offering increased earning flexibility without the constraints of alliance membership. For frequent flyers looking to maximise their rewards strategy, this is yet another avenue to build a healthy Avios balance while flying one of the world’s largest airlines.
