Big changes on the Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card for Aer Lingus AerClub members

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Big changes on the Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card for Aer Lingus AerClub members

The Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card is the only credit card in Ireland where you can earn airline miles. I finally took the plunge earlier this year and have been using it since. Big changes are coming to this card later this year, changing virtually everything about it.

People using the card get free worldwide travel insurance, two lounge passes on Aer Lingus and two Fast-Track security passes. Upon spending €5,000 you also get two “free” European flights, where you only pay taxes and charges. Avios, the name for the points that Aer Lingus AerClub members earn, are given out at 1 Avios per 4 Euro spent (and 1 Avios per 1 Euro spent on Aer Lingus flights).

Big Changes Are Coming

From 23 October 2024, the free flights unlocked at €5,000 spend, two lounge passes and two Fast-Track security passes are no more. These are being replaced by one single benefit, which will be 40,000 Avios earned on a spend of €10,000 in your calendar year.

In addition, the earning rate on spend increases from 1 Avios per €4 to 1 Avios per €3. According to the update published by Bank of Ireland online, that is 33% more points than before. The Travel Insurance benefit remains unchanged.

From my perspective, these changes are excellent. Having 40,000 Avios means you can use the points on long-haul services and aren’t just restricted to European flights. The increased earning is also very good. Happily, the bank also mentions that all existing benefits earned will be valid through to their expiry date, so nobody loses anything.

Right at the very bottom, there is one more little sweetener. All customers will receive 5,000 Avios on 7 January 2025 as a loyalty bonus. That is sure to entice people to keep the card.

Overall Thoughts

These big changes to the Aer Credit Card are good changes in my book. I think 40,000 Avios is a lot more enticing than two free European flights, because you can do so much more with them. Having a higher points vs Euro ratio is great, as is the little sweetener coming in January.

I still have two lounge passes, one Fast-Track pass, and two free flights to use (though I am in the process of booking one of those), so I’ll enjoy making sure they’re all done before they expire. I’ll be curious to see where I am on the way to €10,000 and 40,000 Avios, as I managed to unlock the free flights in just three months, having switched all my spending (apart from my few Direct Debits) to the card.

What do you think of these big changes to the Aer Credit Card? Are you happy with them or would you rather something else? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image by Mitchul Hope via Wikimedia Commons.

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By: The Flight Detective
Title: Big changes on the Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card for Aer Lingus AerClub members
Sourced From: travelupdate.com/big-changes-aer-credit-card/
Published Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:03:20 +0000