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Aer Lingus was just added as a 1:1 transfer partner for American Express Membership Rewards.
Complete List of Membership Reward Partners
Membership Rewards can be transferred to 18 airline and two hotel loyalty programs at the moment.
| Membership Rewards Partner | Transfer Rate |
|---|---|
| AeroMexico | 1,000=1,600 |
| Aeroplan | 1,000=1,000 |
| Avianca | 1,000=1,000 |
| Alitalia | 1,000=1,000 |
| ANA | 1,000=1,000 |
| Cathay Pacific | 1,000=1,000 |
| British Airways | 1,000=1,000 |
| El Al | 1,000=20 |
| Emirates | 1,000=1,000 |
| Etihad | 1,000=1,000 |
| Flying Blue | 1,000=1,000 |
| Hawaiian | 1,000=1,000 |
| Iberia | 1,000=1,000 |
| JetBlue | 250=200 |
| Singapore | 1,000=1,000 |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1,000=1,000 |
| Choice Privileges | 1,000=1,000 |
| Hilton | 1,000=2,000 |
Like British Airways and Iberia, Aer Lingus is owned by IAG, so it was already possible to circuitously transfer Membership Rewards via Iberia or British Airways Avios. Members of AerClub also earns rewards called Avios, that while a separate rewards program from Iberia Avios or BA Avios, has similar rules and redemption rates that are distance-based. Transferring Avios between British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus does come with stipulations, however. You must have had both of the accounts you want to transfer between open for at least 90 days, and each account must have had some activity in it already.
So while new redemption opportunities aren’t exactly opening up with the addition of Aer Lingus as a transfer partner, at least the new direct transfer process will be easier and simpler than planning 90 days ahead if you want to book an AerClub award. The thing here is that I don’t really see a reason to book an AerClub Avios award over a British Airways or Iberia Avios award. Perhaps if transfers between Membership Rewards and AerClub end up being super fast, faster than Iberia’s longer wait time of around 4 days, then there could be an angle there. But Membership Rewards to British Airways Avios usually transfer instantaneously.
Basics on AerClub
Note that Aer Lingus AerClub is not a member of the oneworld alliance. You can only redeem AerClub Avios on Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia flights. The cheapest Aer Lingus awards will be those that are direct, as they price per segment, and those that flying during Aer Lingus’ Off Peak dates.
Here you can see Aer Lingus’ award chart for redemptions on their own flights. They are similar prices to using British Airways Avios, but
Bottom Line
The latest Membership Rewards transfer partner, Aer Lingus, is not technically a new partner since you could already transfer Membership Rewards to either British Airways or Iberia Avios and then on to Aer Lingus . It will be at least be a less roundabout process without the 90 day account age or previous account activity stipulations of transferring circuitously…if you find a reason for wanting to use them instead of British Airways or Iberia Avios.
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