Aerlingus AerClub/Avios

swimming in a sea

Any opinions on this, I've got 8000 gold circle points and Aer Lingus have given me the option of spending them on BT or Arnotts gift card, so I'd get a €400 gift card. I was thinking of doing it as I don't ever seem to see a good deal to book flights with the points, i earn the points through work and for the 3 personal flights I've had this year Ryanair have been the cheapest.

But my suspicious mind wonders why Aer lingus offer the gift card, has anybody found a really good way of using their points?

xabi

I used mine to get a BT gift card, around 500 Euro. It was either use them or lose them.

irlrobins

Faced a similar issue a number of years back. Couldn't spend my points on free flights no matter how hard I tried. I even rang them up and asked if they had any random free flight to any random destination available and they said no. GC is a joke compared to other FF programs. Cashing them in for BT Vouchers is the best outcome. Used mine to buy a nice set of Samsonite Luggage.

Tenger

irlrobins wrote: »

Faced a similar issue a number of years back. ..................................... GC is a joke compared to other FF programs. Cashing them in for BT Vouchers is the best outcome. Used mine to buy a nice set of Samsonite Luggage.

Nice deal for yourself.

With the Gold Circle program soon to be ended and replaced by AerClub it might be interesting to see if you must use existing GC points or can you convert them to Avio's to use with AerClub.

elastico

Is there any point in joining these schemes?

Suppose I book British Airways Shannon to LA, price is €XXX

If I go on kayak.com for example there is always some random airline / online travel agent option which comes in way less than booking directly with British Airways, often putting you on a BA flight but somebody else sold the ticket, so I don't think you can claim any points (or can you)

swimming in a sea

elastico wrote: »

Is there any point in joining these schemes?

Suppose I book British Airways Shannon to LA, price is €XXX

If I go on kayak.com for example there is always some random airline / online travel agent option which comes in way less than booking directly with British Airways, often putting you on a BA flight but somebody else sold the ticket, so I don't think you can claim any points (or can you)

I think if you were spending your own money then nobody would be joining these clubs, but I get the points for work and I'll always choose Aer lingus over the likes of ryanair if work is paying for it.

I think I'll cash in.

fits

In Sweden they have started taxing people who use air miles earned through work travel for private trips. What a dose!

L1011

fits wrote: »

In Sweden they have started taxing people who use air miles earned through work travel for private trips. What a dose!

Sssh, don't be giving Revenue ideas!


(I had some very cheap holidays with work-earned Radisson points, One4All cards from Best Western, used Subway/Boots/Applegreen points on myself and I certainly never gave the fleet manager my Topaz muffins from their scheme...)

eusap

I gave up a long time ago trying to use GC points for Flights the last 3-4 years i have used them for BT vouchers. Very handy if you like Nespresso, AL have paid for my coffee addiction for the last few years

If you look online you can also use your points for some small gifts http://www.tnsdistribution.com/aerlingus/

irlrobins

L1011 wrote: »

Sssh, don't be giving Revenue ideas!


(I had some very cheap holidays with work-earned Radisson points, One4All cards from Best Western, used Subway/Boots/Applegreen points on myself and I certainly never gave the fleet manager my Topaz muffins from their scheme...)

From revenue.ie:
Q: As part of frequent air travel by its employees an entitlement will frequently arise to air miles. Often such entitlements are left by the employer to the employee for use at his / her discretion. While the entitlements arise on foot of travel expenditure incurred by the employer, a cost does not arise for the employer in relation to the provision of this benefit due to the air miles / TAB points having no cost. Does a taxable benefit arise in these circumstances?
A: PAYE / PRSI need not be applied to the benefit arising to employees in such circumstances.


Yep, got some nice free hotel stays using my Hilton points. Paris, Vienna, Prague and Budapest. 5* Hotels with access to executive lounge for free drinks, all for nothing. The one advantage from the weekly commute to UK.

Flying to states for work these days with United. Already getting much more benefits with their FF than I ever did with GC.

Dardania

If you fly with Aer Lingus, can you put the miles on say United's Mileage Plus? Or American's AAdvantage?

I'm around 10,000 with both of those, and am trying to figure out what way to go with GC now (only 550 points at moment) - all I really care about is ease at the airport and in the air - the other free miles don't interest so much...

L1011

Redeem but not earn for mileage plus and currently neither for aadvantage

Downtime

I've used mine a good few times - upgrades on transatlantic flights and also used them for flights to the US and Paris for my wife. You need to book well in advance though > 2 months and are better ringing them up than trying online. Also used them for vouchers.

AndyBoBandy

Best option (value) for me using GC points was to use 4,000 for a one way upgrade to America, did it 3/4 times, but seeing as how I haven't been to America in 4 years, and have almost 9,000 points, the BT vouchers are a great option,
(I also got a nice 750GB portable HD (in Apple's brushed aluminium style) last year using points)
although I'm planning a trip stateside next year, so am in 2 minds as to what to do, wondering how it will go with the switchover to Avios and will upgrades roughly be the same cost/value

Also, Aer Lingus are terrible at telling you about points about to expire (smallest of small print at the bottom of your GC statement)

BT vouchers are good though, nice little additional Christmas present for herself, at no additional cost.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Tenger wrote: »

Nice deal for yourself.

With the Gold Circle program soon to be ended and replaced by AerClub it might be interesting to see if you must use existing GC points or can you convert them to Avio's to use with AerClub.

I have a funny feeling Aer Club is going to be a load of sh1te. Firstly it appears you won't be able to transfer existing BA Avios points over. AL are silent about future Avios points.

Anyway, it's starting already. I have a GC card and never really get value for points. I see the value in using the GC queue to check in, fast track security and the lounge. Now, AL are only allowing the cardholder through fast track security - was travelling with my husband the other day and he had to go through regular security- and I wouldn't be surprised if soon you won't be able to bring a guest into the lounge.

I don't really have good feelings towards AL

Noxegon

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Now, AL are only allowing the cardholder through fast track security

Er, what...? I go through that facility all the time with my partner, so if there's a change there it's very recent (and hasn't been announced anywhere).

I've just posted on the Aer Lingus Facebook page to ask...

Derek Zoolander

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Best option (value) for me using GC points was to use 4,000 for a one way upgrade to America, did it 3/4 times, but seeing as how I haven't been to America in 4 years, and have almost 9,000 points, the BT vouchers are a great option,
(I also got a nice 750GB portable HD (in Apple's brushed aluminium style) last year using points)
although I'm planning a trip stateside next year, so am in 2 minds as to what to do, wondering how it will go with the switchover to Avios and will upgrades roughly be the same cost/value

Also, Aer Lingus are terrible at telling you about points about to expire (smallest of small print at the bottom of your GC statement)

BT vouchers are good though, nice little additional Christmas present for herself, at no additional cost.

This annoys the hell out of me - I can't seem to find anywhere when my points will expire - I'll take the vouchers if they expire next year but not sure...

Arbiter of Good Taste

Noxegon wrote: »

Er, what...? I go through that facility all the time with my partner, so if there's a change there it's very recent (and hasn't been announced anywhere).

I've just posted on the Aer Lingus Facebook page to ask...

Yep it's new. We flew through on Friday and were told. In fairness to the security men, they were very nice about it.

Never had a problem before.

Good job, AL. Great way to maintain customer loyalty.

AndyBoBandy

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Yep it's new. We flew through on Friday and were told. In fairness to the security men, they were very nice about it.

Never had a problem before.

Good job, AL. Great way to maintain customer loyalty.

I'm calling BS on this one! Change the the policy with no announcement??

Last week I flew DUB-LHR and back and brought my partner through fast pass on both trips, and also accessed the lounges on both sides and nobody said nout to me about not being able to bring a guest through!

lfc200

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

I'm calling BS on this one! Change the the policy with no announcement??

Last week I flew DUB-LHR and back and brought my partner through fast pass on both trips, and also accessed the lounges on both sides and nobody said nout to me about not being able to bring a guest through!

Not surprised Andy... Can't remember which airport I was flying through recently but went to go through the fast pass lane as usual and was told that Aer Lingus were no longer offering the fast pass service in the airport...

On a slightly different topic I was flying LHR-ORK last week and in the usual mid flight announcement the pilot started saying that the plane was probably a little messier than usual but that as part of a new policy in Aer Lingus the crew weren't to tidy the plane in between sectors. Has anyone else heard this?

Arbiter of Good Taste

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

I'm calling BS on this one! Change the the policy with no announcement??

Last week I flew DUB-LHR and back and brought my partner through fast pass on both trips, and also accessed the lounges on both sides and nobody said nout to me about not being able to bring a guest through!

Whatever you say. I guess I must have imagined the whole indicent three days ago then :rolleyes:

Tenger

lfc200 wrote: »

......
On a slightly different topic I was flying LHR-ORK last week and in the usual mid flight announcement the pilot started saying that the plane was probably a little messier than usual but that as part of a new policy in Aer Lingus the crew weren't to tidy the plane in between sectors. Has anyone else heard this?

I read it elsewhere, EI have ended cleaning at destination. Apparently its an attempt to improve punctuality by shortening turning the aircraft around.
Shorthaul aircraft cabin only cleaned in DUB,SNN or ORK now.

Noxegon

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Whatever you say. I guess I must have imagined the whole indicent three days ago then :rolleyes:

Not saying you imagined it, but straight from the horse's mouth...

Bigcheeze

Noxegon wrote: »

Not saying you imagined it, but straight from the horse's mouth...

Probably security staff getting it mixed up with the rules of the DAA fast track.

Yamanoto

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Best option (value) for me using GC points was to use 4,000 for a one way upgrade to America, did it 3/4 times, but seeing as how I haven't been to America in 4 years, and have almost 9,000 points, the BT vouchers are a great option,

I decided to spend 4000 points on a whim while standing at check-in for the DUB-ORD flight on Friday last. Early Xmas present to myself I suppose. I've a funny feeling the conversion rate to Avios will leave us all underwhelmed, so was happy to finally get something useful out of GC, other than the usual lounge access & priority boarding.

AndyBoBandy

Yamanoto wrote: »

I decided to spend 4000 points on a whim while standing at check-in for the DUB-ORD flight on Friday last. Early Xmas present to myself I suppose. I've a funny feeling the conversion rate to Avios will leave us all underwhelmed, so was happy to finally get something useful out of GC, other than the usual lounge access & priority boarding.

I'm thinking similar, as in cashing them in for Brown Thomas or Arrnots vouchers,

But at the same time, don't want my sudden lack of points to affect my entry into Aer Club, as a ton on points in the bank could see me into a higher tier!

goingnowhere

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

I'm thinking similar, as in cashing them in for Brown Thomas or Arrnots vouchers,

But at the same time, don't want my sudden lack of points to affect my entry into Aer Club, as a ton on points in the bank could see me into a higher tier!

Its points earned that matter, there is no need to keep a set balance you can have a balance of 0 and still get Concierge status in Aer Club if you earned enough points in the year before.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Noxegon wrote: »

Not saying you imagined it, but straight from the horse's mouth...

Well that is interesting. The security man told me that AL have to pay DAA for each passenger that goes through fast track and were no longer paying for guests. I'll be flying again next week so I will see what happens then

Bigcheeze

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Well that is interesting. The security man told me that AL have to pay DAA for each passenger that goes through fast track and were no longer paying for guests. I'll be flying again next week so I will see what happens then

I'd say it's by card because I've brought a family of 6 through during the summer, no questions asked.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Bigcheeze wrote: »

I'd say it's by card because I've brought a family of 6 through during the summer, no questions asked.

I've brought up to four people in at a time and only had trouble this week.

L1011

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Well that is interesting. The security man told me that AL have to pay DAA for each passenger that goes through fast track and were no longer paying for guests. I'll be flying again next week so I will see what happens then

They do have to pay per pax that uses it; and I'm not sure whether to believe the DAA may have cocked up or EI's twitter staff are in the dark as both are extremely possibly!

Arbiter of Good Taste

L1011 wrote: »

They do have to pay per pax that uses it; and I'm not sure whether to believe the DAA may have cocked up or EI's twitter staff are in the dark as both are extremely possibly!

I suspect the AL Twitter people aren't up to speed.

The security guys were really pleasant and actually reached over and just scanned my husband's boarding pass in the regular desk and let us walk through. He even told us that staff are no longer allowed to use the fast track queue because of the costs.

Nevertheless, I will investigate further next week.....

AndyBoBandy

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

He even told us that staff are no longer allowed to use the fast track queue because of the costs

This makes no sense! The machines are the same, they are staffed by the same people!! Heck, they even usher regular pax through the fast track line when it's quiet and the regular channels are busier!!

Arbiter of Good Taste

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

This makes no sense! The machines are the same, they are staffed by the same people!! Heck, they even usher regular pax through the fast track line when it's quiet and the regular channels are busier!!

It does make sense. If DAA can charge people extra to use fast track, then I'm sure they need to have a way to make sure it's not abused

L1011

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

This makes no sense! The machines are the same, they are staffed by the same people!! Heck, they even usher regular pax through the fast track line when it's quiet and the regular channels are busier!!

That's the scanners. They levy a fee to use the boarding pass bypass - its in the published fees list and is similar to the airport genie fee for it

However, staff have their own lane - or is that airside workers only?

Tenger

L1011 wrote: »

They do have to pay per pax that uses it; and I'm not sure whether to believe the DAA may have cocked up or EI's twitter staff are in the dark as both are extremely possibly!

Historically EI paid the DAA per pax using fast track.

I'ld hazard a guess that EI execs haven't bothered to fully inform their own twitter team (judging by what I am hearing from a couple of EI mates)

Arbiter of Good Taste

Tenger wrote: »

Historically EI paid the DAA per pax using fast track.

I'ld hazard a guess that EI execs haven't bothered to fully inform their own twitter team (judging by what I am hearing from a couple of EI mates)

Are your friends suggesting I am right? (I hope not!!!!)

Tenger

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Are your friends suggesting I am right? (I hope not!!!!)

I'm a bit confused

Arbiter of Good Taste

Tenger wrote: »

I'm a bit confused

That the Twitter people are not up to speed and that we can no longer takes guests through fast track?

Tenger

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

That the Twitter people are not up to speed and that we can no longer takes guests through fast track?

Ah right. My mate didnt know when I was taking to her. I was referencing the lack of good internal communication in EI

Arbiter of Good Taste

Tenger wrote: »

Ah right. My mate didnt know when I was taking to her. I was referencing the lack of good internal communication in EI

Ah, ok. Thanks

faceman

I spoke with GC recently about the new loyaltys scheme. They told me your existing points will convert to the new points even if you currently don't have GC status. I'm pretty sure she said you could convert BA avoid points too.

I've 60,000 avoid and 4,200 GC points. AL didn't give me credit on 4 t/a flights this year so I missed reaching the threshold for the renewal of my membership. And you can longer trade points for membership. Wasn't impressed.

Bigcheeze

faceman wrote: »

And you can longer trade points for membership. Wasn't impressed.

When did that change happen? They really don't understand customer loyalty if they think not communicating changes is a good idea.

Arbiter of Good Taste

faceman wrote: »

And you can longer trade points for membership. Wasn't impressed.

Are you kidding me! This gets worse and worse.

ImDave

Bigcheeze wrote: »

When did that change happen? They really don't understand customer loyalty if they think not communicating changes is a good idea.

I was very surprised to hear that too - first mention I noticed was in a generic email from GC on November 10th where they thought I was trying to renew membership as opposed to telling them I have exceeded the points requirement for membership but flights hadn't posted.

You are just 300 points short for the renewal of your Gold Circle membership. This is reviewed on a monthly basis and we would be delighted for you to reach this level in the near future.

Unfortunately it is no longer possible to redeem points for the renewal of your membership.

Thank you for your valued custom. If you have any further queries please contact me.

Bigcheeze

Just brought three guests through fast track at t2

Yamanoto

Yamanoto wrote: »

I've a funny feeling the conversion rate to Avios will leave us all underwhelmed

I left out disappointed, disenchanted & more than a little ріѕѕеḋ оff.

1 point = 2 Avios as per the Aer Club FAQ page

BT vouchers it is so.

Noxegon

Not entirely related, I feel bound to note that I flew Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Dublin tonight.

The service was far better than that offered by Aer Lingus. Crew that actually smiled, free sandwich and drinks, slimline seats so respectable knee room, and best of all, no constant barrage of bull over the PA system. Not once did we get the "please stand in from the seat while stowing your overhead baggage", "you must use the space under your seat and overhead", "we carry a wide range of duty free products", et al. Just three brief words; "boarding is completed".

If AerClub is as crap as it looks I think I'll rejoin Priority Pass when my Gold Circle membership finishes up.

Locker10a

Noxegon wrote: »

Not entirely related, I feel bound to note that I flew Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Dublin tonight.

The service was far better than that offered by Aer Lingus. Crew that actually smiled, free sandwich and drinks, slimline seats so respectable knee room, and best of all, no constant barrage of bull over the PA system. Not once did we get the "please stand in from the seat while stowing your overhead baggage", "you must use the space under your seat and overhead", "we carry a wide range of duty free products", et al. Just three brief words; "boarding is completed".

If AerClub is as crap as it looks I think I'll rejoin Priority Pass when my Gold Circle membership finishes up.

There is a reason you hear those announcements on EI, FR, EZY etc, and it's because they rely on ancillary revenue in the form of checked luggage and onboard sales for profit ! And you have the low cost travel model to thank for that! Lufthansa would never have the problem of cabin luggage that the likes of EZY and FR have, it's a major struggle and makes boarding 10 times more stressful for all, because more of their passengers would check in a case for free, there is no requirement for such announcements during boarding, same applies to the announcement for the onboard cosmetics, they don't have the reliance on additional sales to boost profit

Tenger

Locker10a wrote: »

There is a reason you hear those announcements on EI, FR, EZY etc, and it's because they rely on ancillary revenue in the form of checked luggage and onboard sales for profit ! And you have the low cost travel model to thank for that! Lufthansa would never have the problem of cabin luggage that the likes of EZY and FR have, it's a major struggle and makes boarding 10 times more stressful for all, because more of their passengers would check in a case for free, there is no requirement for such announcements during boarding, same applies to the announcement for the onboard cosmetics, they don't have the reliance on additional sales to boost profit

Personally I would love to see EI try to differentiate their offering from FR and EZ by offering a single checked in bag for free....roll E5-7 into the fare and its covered. Less cabin baggage would reduce boarding scrum (helping ontime performance) and would provide a more apparent passenger experience (compared to their major competitor) than deciding to call the pax "guests". It would also create more of a connection from their currently disjointed LH vs SH product. (after all they are looking to continue to develop their mini hub at DUB)

However I doubt the EI Exec team would see this, apparently they are all bean counters rather than strategic vision types. (I dont mean to disrespect hard working finance folks, but a healthy balance of cost control and willingness to invest in the future is needed in any business) "lowest headline price" is the target for the current EI CEO.

Gaoth Laidir

Lufthansa from Dublin has been extortionate any time I've checked. Paying extra still doesn't guarantee you won't be stuck behind someone standing in the aisle as he takes off his jacket, folds it up neatly before remembering he left his headphones in the inside pocket. Opens it up again the take them out but they get caught in the zip. Turns around to apologise but continues what he's doing...