Aerlingus AerClub/Avios

isohon · 02-07-2019 1:35pm

blackwhite wrote: »

Have to fly to earn the credits.

Return trip to Kerry :pac:?

Thanks, even if it wasn't the answer I was hoping for. Not sure about Kerry, may get somewhere in though.

The_Wanderer · 02-07-2019 1:53pm

isohon wrote: »

Thanks, even if it wasn't the answer I was hoping for. Not sure about Kerry, may get somewhere in though.

Always Donegal

AndyBoBandy · 02-07-2019 2:16pm

You need a flight with a reasonably quick turn around to the following flight (not the return flight on the plane you flew over on, as you might not make it out and back through again, unless you do Kerry/Donegal maybe).

So possibly Manchester or Birmingham as you'd only have a few hours between the following flights, London would be too expensive.

goingnowhere · 02-07-2019 10:37pm

Best option for an assured turnaround is AMS, walk off, walk on, no security, no passports, no hassle

Van.Bosch · 02-07-2019 10:41pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Best option for an assured turnaround is AMS, walk off, walk on, no security, no passports, no hassle

Onto the same aircraft you landed on?

L1011 · 02-07-2019 10:45pm

Yes. They still do crossing inbound and outbound and the plane will be leaving the same gate. Just sit down until they reopen boarding

Van.Bosch · 02-07-2019 11:02pm

L1011 wrote: »

Yes. They still do crossing inbound and outbound and the plane will be leaving the same gate. Just sit down until they reopen boarding

Cheers - seems to be one of the few routes they do it on

Qprmeath · 04-07-2019 9:17pm

Are seats free with an Avios booking outside the 30 hour pre flight window?

thebiglad · 04-07-2019 9:38pm

Qprmeath wrote: »

Are seats free with an Avios booking outside the 30 hour pre flight window?

Not but generally with Aer Lingus it is of no issue unless you really want to be close to the front.

Qprmeath · 05-07-2019 10:28am

thebiglad wrote: »

Not but generally with Aer Lingus it is of no issue unless you really want to be close to the front.

You mean wait til the free window opens?

thebiglad · 05-07-2019 11:02am

Qprmeath wrote: »

You mean wait til the free window opens?

Exactly, typically plenty of seats together are left.

Bogwoppit · 09-07-2019 12:11pm

Just recently got my silver membership after a couple of years of missing out by a few points. Card took 2 weeks to arrive!
I can’t find a list of what lounges I can use outside Dublin or even what sign signifies I have access to a lounge.
Do I only have access to a lounge if I’m flying Aer Lingus?

Draco · 09-07-2019 12:13pm

Yes, you need an EI ticket to access them. Ask at checkin if there's a lounge available and where it is. Usually the lounges have a list of airlines that have access outside them.

blackwhite · 09-07-2019 12:31pm

Bogwoppit wrote: »

Just recently got my silver membership after a couple of years of missing out by a few points. Card took 2 weeks to arrive!
I can’t find a list of what lounges I can use outside Dublin or even what sign signifies I have access to a lounge.
Do I only have access to a lounge if I’m flying Aer Lingus?

https://www.aerlingus.com/travel-information/airport-information/airport-lounges/#/tab-0-aer-lingus-lounges

List of lounges

goingnowhere · 09-07-2019 1:09pm

Draco wrote: »

Yes, you need an EI ticket to access them. Ask at checkin if there's a lounge available and where it is. Usually the lounges have a list of airlines that have access outside them.

You need a ticket on EI metal, doesn't have to be an EI ticket...

Bogwoppit · 09-07-2019 1:36pm

Thanks for the replies.

I assume the fast track automatically gets added to your ticket when you book EI or do you just walk up the fast track lane with you boarding pass and card?

Stark · 09-07-2019 2:36pm

You have to show them your Aerclub card.

Time Magazine · 10-07-2019 8:08pm

blackwhite wrote: »

https://www.aerlingus.com/travel-information/airport-information/airport-lounges/#/tab-0-aer-lingus-lounges

List of lounges

Greetings from the lounge in Birmingham International Airport.

Tell you what, this place is swanky. Far, far better than the EI or BA lounges I've been in on either side of the Atlantic (DUB, LHR, ORD, EWR, etc.) Worth coming here 30m early if any of ye are flying home from BHX some time soon.

blackwhite · 10-07-2019 10:03pm

For the first year in a long time I’m unlikely to do enough EI flights to maintain my status.
Changed jobs this year, and no longer travelling to as many EI destinations.

Currently at Platinum status - but unlikely to reach 300 in this membership year.

Anyone know if they still do the “step down” which they used to do under Gold Circle.

Used be the case you dropped to the next tier down - once you had done 4 flights you didn’t get bumped all the way out.

Wondering if that’s still the case

goingnowhere · 10-07-2019 10:18pm

You become Silver if you have made at least 2 flights in the last 12 months as Platinum.

Van.Bosch · 10-07-2019 10:29pm

How much would people pay for if they were short on tier credits to move up to the second level?

goingnowhere · 10-07-2019 10:56pm

Silver - Platinum isn't really worth it unless you are chasing the business upgrade (~300 euro?)
Platinum - Concierge , need to value the 4 upgrades, no change/admin fees + free silver membership etc (1000+ euro?)

1123heavy · 11-07-2019 1:16am

Is anyone else having login issues? I'm randomly being told my password is wrong, tried to change it but just keep getting an error message. I also just booked a flight (putting my aerclub id in the booking), i never received an email with my booking confirmation ... really odd. I tried to go back to the confirmation page but it just took me to the home page.

cunnerz21 · 12-07-2019 2:38pm

I just made Platinum for the first time and followed the process to email and request an upgrade for an upcoming flight from TOR-DUB in Sept. I got a reply letting me know that they have submitted the request. Does anybody know when they will let me know if it's successful or not? If it's not successful I'd like to try use the upgrade on the outbound leg of the trip but now worried that they will only let me know a few days before the flight home and it will be too late to try use for the outbound leg. Does anyone have any idea what precentage of aerclub upgrade requests are successful or is it a long shot?

blackwhite · 12-07-2019 2:40pm

cunnerz21 wrote: »

I just made Platinum for the first time and followed the process to email and request an upgrade for an upcoming flight from TOR-DUB in Sept. I got a reply letting me know that they have submitted the request. Does anybody know when they will let me know if it's successful or not? If it's not successful I'd like to try use the upgrade on the outbound leg of the trip but now worried that they will only let me know a few days before the flight home and it will be too late to try use for the outbound leg. Does anyone have any idea what precentage of aerclub upgrade requests are successful or is it a long shot?

I used one last year for DUB-JFK in November. Request was submitted in July or August, and approved within a week.

I think it depends on the flight though - if there's already a few Business Class bookings they'll wait longer before deciding yes/no

SB Morer · 12-07-2019 3:11pm

cunnerz21 wrote: »

I just made Platinum for the first time and followed the process to email and request an upgrade for an upcoming flight from TOR-DUB in Sept. I got a reply letting me know that they have submitted the request. Does anybody know when they will let me know if it's successful or not? If it's not successful I'd like to try use the upgrade on the outbound leg of the trip but now worried that they will only let me know a few days before the flight home and it will be too late to try use for the outbound leg. Does anyone have any idea what precentage of aerclub upgrade requests are successful or is it a long shot?

I’m pretty sure Aer Lingus doesn’t fly to Torrington, Wyoming (TOR).

cunnerz21 · 12-07-2019 3:14pm

SB Morer wrote: »

I’m pretty sure Aer Lingus doesn’t fly to Torrington, Wyoming (TOR).

I meant Toronto (YYZ) but thanks for pointing that out

SB Morer · 12-07-2019 3:38pm

cunnerz21 wrote: »

I meant Toronto (YYZ) but thanks for pointing that out

Sorry, I’m in giddy form on a Friday afternoon - I’m not normally a smartass!

goingnowhere · 12-07-2019 4:21pm

Get on the phone and find out.

If there is space you will be upgraded either while on phone or within 48 hours.

Otherwise its a waiting game to see if there are going to be seats available and calling the morning of the day before travel.

ironclaw · 15-07-2019 2:30am

Anecdotal at best, but in my experience, I've often found the business class section on DUB to YYZ to be half empty. I'd be confident you'll get it.

Noxegon · 15-07-2019 6:39am

SB Morer wrote: »

I’m pretty sure Aer Lingus doesn’t fly to Torrington, Wyoming (TOR).

Maybe that's the next destination for EI-GEY?

Dublinflyer · 16-07-2019 4:24pm

ironclaw wrote: »

Anecdotal at best, but in my experience, I've often found the business class section on DUB to YYZ to be half empty. I'd be confident you'll get it.

I have done this flight a few times in the past 6 months for work so I get to travel up front. I was on it last week and there was only 4 people in business. I would have thought with the ability to bid for an upgrade you would see more in there but clearly not.

cunnerz21 · 16-07-2019 5:47pm

Dublinflyer wrote: »

I have done this flight a few times in the past 6 months for work so I get to travel up front. I was on it last week and there was only 4 people in business. I would have thought with the ability to bid for an upgrade you would see more in there but clearly not.

Any difference on the return leg given that it's over night, would imagine Business class is in higher demand as a result?

Dublinflyer · 17-07-2019 4:08pm

cunnerz21 wrote: »

Any difference on the return leg given that it's over night, would imagine Business class is in higher demand as a result?

The overnight flight does tend to have a few more but I think it depends on the routs. For DUB to SFO it's always very busy. My travel tends to be last minute and I have not been able to get business on a few occasions.

cunnerz21 · 17-07-2019 4:46pm

Dublinflyer wrote: »

The overnight flight does tend to have a few more but I think it depends on the routs. For DUB to SFO it's always very busy. My travel tends to be last minute and I have not been able to get business on a few occasions.

Yeah just got back from SFO myself. Booked business and the cabin was completely full both ways.

cunnerz21 · 23-07-2019 3:36pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Get on the phone and find out.

If there is space you will be upgraded either while on phone or within 48 hours.

Otherwise its a waiting game to see if there are going to be seats available and calling the morning of the day before travel.

I just called (the reservation line) and they just told me I was on the waitlist and they would email if I was successful. I asked when I should expect to hear and she didn't know. They were pretty unhelpful to be honest.

eorpach · 23-07-2019 8:10pm

Booking an Avios ticket on Aer Lingus is a form of silent torture.

- Avios.com issues the ticket. With a non-Aer Lingus check in code.
- The Avios confirmation email contains T&Cs about British Airways, not Aer Lingus.
- The Avios website is silent on checked baggage allocation (30 mins on hold to Avios line confirms its 1x20kg free checked bag for short haul, 1x23kg free checked bag for long haul)
- The Avios website is silent on free seat allocation (30 mins on hold to Avios confirms this exists but Avios cannot access EI seat menus)
- 15 mins on hold to Aer Lingus, involving several explanations to me like I'm thick (that I cannot 'pay for a seat using Avios - I don't want to anyway) confirms that yes, an allocated seat is included, but only a "Standard Seat". So not the ones near the front, or the emergency exits.

So yes, one checked bag and an assigned seat are included on Avios tickets. The seat can be assigned more than 30 hours before check in. But only if you're prepared to waste 40 mins of your lift trying to claim this perk. (And even then, the Aer Lingus website will claim you have 0 checked bags with your booking and that you're on a 'Saver' Fare!)

Why must it be so hard? Did NOBODY at Aer Lingus walk through this process before they launch AerClub? Why not?

My advice: If you have BA status, call and book an Aer Lingus seat over the phone using your BA Avios points instead. If you can see that it's available on the Avios.com search engine, British Airways will be able to book it for you. You can move your avios points from Aer Lingus to BA using Avios.com (free, doable online and quick-ish)

TORTURE!

eorpach · 23-07-2019 8:16pm

Qprmeath wrote: »

Are seats free with an Avios booking outside the 30 hour pre flight window?

Yes, if you are patient enough to argue with them about their own broken process. See my reply just above this one.

Diego Tristan · 23-07-2019 11:46pm

eorpach wrote: »

Booking an Avios ticket on Aer Lingus is a form of silent torture.

- Avios.com issues the ticket. With a non-Aer Lingus check in code.

The Aer Lingus check in code is included on the PDF attachment Avios send you at the time of booking. The 6 character reference beginning with 2.

This is the reference you should quote if calling EI as well. Should knock some time off that 40 minutes.

Van.Bosch · 24-07-2019 8:02am

Diego Tristan wrote: »

The Aer Lingus check in code is included on the PDF attachment Avios send you at the time of booking. The 6 character reference beginning with 2.

This is the reference you should quote if calling EI as well. Should knock some time off that 40 minutes.

Wasn’t on my booking. Each time I rang I was told that isn’t an EI ref as it doesn’t start with 2. Then had to tell them to search the flight for my name, they then found it and were confused. I reckon they have had zero training on the process.

Diego Tristan · 24-07-2019 3:16pm

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Wasn’t on my booking. Each time I rang I was told that isn’t an EI ref as it doesn’t start with 2. Then had to tell them to search the flight for my name, they then found it and were confused. I reckon they have had zero training on the process.

I booked it on Avios.com, got 2 emails. First one had hardly any useful info, the next email sent shortly after which came from aviosteam@avios.com was the 1 that had all the details. Subject of email starts with the words 'Your travel documentation for Avios booking ref..'.

Page 3 of the 5 page PDF file attached displayed what was called the Airline Booking Reference (which proves to be useless), the Airline Check-In Reference, the ticket number, and also confirmed 20KG baggage was included.

Van.Bosch · 24-07-2019 5:05pm

Diego Tristan wrote: »

I booked it on Avios.com, got 2 emails. First one had hardly any useful info, the next email sent shortly after which came from aviosteam@avios.com was the 1 that had all the details. Subject of email starts with the words 'Your travel documentation for Avios booking ref..'.

Page 3 of the 5 page PDF file attached displayed what was called the Airline Booking Reference (which proves to be useless), the Airline Check-In Reference, the ticket number, and also confirmed 20KG baggage was included.

My airline check-in ref started with an N, maybe they have fixed it now.

podgeandrodge · 24-07-2019 10:20pm

As most know, when getting tier points for AerClub, you only get half the points for "sale" or "promotional" fares.

"Sale or promotional fares in Saver economy will earn 50% of the Saver economy award (Fare classes A,Z,W,T within Europe)

Sale or promotional fares in Smart economy will earn 50% of the Smart economy award (Fare classes A,Z,W,T,O,R on transatlantic flights)"

All my bookings seem to be always A, Z etc.

When are Aer Lingus seats not sale or promotional?!

Van.Bosch · 24-07-2019 11:17pm

podgeandrodge wrote: »

As most know, when getting tier points for AerClub, you only get half the points for "sale" or "promotional" fares.

"Sale or promotional fares in Saver economy will earn 50% of the Saver economy award (Fare classes A,Z,W,T within Europe)

Sale or promotional fares in Smart economy will earn 50% of the Smart economy award (Fare classes A,Z,W,T,O,R on transatlantic flights)"

All my bookings seem to be always A, Z etc.

When are Aer Lingus seats not sale or promotional?!

When you pay 300 quid return seems to be the only ones I’ve seen.

I saw a 89 one way fare to London and it was a promo date apparently

ironclaw · 25-07-2019 7:00pm

Van.Bosch wrote: »

When you pay 300 quid return seems to be the only ones I’ve seen.

I saw a 89 one way fare to London and it was a promo date apparently

I have more points from a single business class trip that my Dad accumulated in a year flying back and forth to Malaga every other month. Unless you are paying full or flex fares, you may as well not bother.

blackwhite · 25-07-2019 8:48pm

I was over and back to CDG every second week for the past few years - generally seemed to be prices from c€80+ one way that attracted full tier credits. Anything below that was usually Saver credits.

I was on plus or flex fares quite a bit which eliminated the Saver factor.

st1979 · 29-07-2019 6:38am

Have gone from silver to platinum 1st of July. Do they send you a replacement card or do you still keep the silver card. When I went from green to silver it only took about a week or 10 days to get my card.

1123heavy · 29-07-2019 2:01pm

Is it true that whenever i want to claim avios for an airline i must open an account with that airline?

I flew vueling some months back and flying iberia again soon, do i need to open separate airline accounts with them 2 to claim? Seems ridiculous you can't use your aerclub avios membership to claim from all avios airlines

thebiglad · 29-07-2019 2:13pm

I am not sure whether necessary but maybe beneficial.

Flying to Mexico later this year (BA via LGW) I have a BA Executive Club membership and it is projecting I will earn 10,000+ avios for the flight - this flight cost me approx €1k which with Aer Lingus would earn me (Concierge Tier) under 5,000 avios.

Happy to claim the points in BA and transfer them to my Aer Lingus for that level of return.

1123heavy · 29-07-2019 5:04pm

thebiglad wrote: »

I am not sure whether necessary but maybe beneficial.

Flying to Mexico later this year (BA via LGW) I have a BA Executive Club membership and it is projecting I will earn 10,000+ avios for the flight - this flight cost me approx €1k which with Aer Lingus would earn me (Concierge Tier) under 5,000 avios.

Happy to claim the points in BA and transfer them to my Aer Lingus for that level of return.

Aren't aer lingus tier upgrades based on tier credits which can only be earned by booking with aer lingus? I can understand avios but how will you get aer lingus credits flying with BA?

Aerlingus AerClub/Avios

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