By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: Aer Lingus AerClub uses Avios on a distance-based, zoned award chart with off-peak and peak pricing. It has devalued quietly by reclassifying the distance between cities, so some routes jumped into a more expensive zone even though nothing about the flight changed. Transatlantic business class to Ireland still starts around 50,000 Avios off-peak, keeping it a reasonable value.
A distance-based Avios chart
Aer Lingus AerClub is part of the Avios family alongside British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar, and it prices awards on its own flights with a distance-based chart split into six zones, with off-peak and peak rates by cabin. The structure rewards shorter hops, and its signature value is transatlantic business class between the US East Coast and Ireland starting around 50,000 Avios one-way off-peak, often with lower surcharges than British Airways. See best points for Avios.
Devaluation by redrawing the map
AerClub has devalued in a subtle way: rather than simply printing higher numbers, it reclassified the distances between some cities, so two airports under 3,000 miles apart can be priced as if they are over 3,000 miles apart, bumping the award into a more expensive zone. The flight did not get longer, but the award got pricier. It is a quieter form of devaluation than a chart overhaul, and harder to spot, but the effect on your Avios is the same.
Where the value holds
Despite the tinkering, Aer Lingus remains one of the more sensible ways to cross the Atlantic on Avios, especially off-peak and booked in advance, and its surcharges are typically gentler than British Airways on the same routes. Feed Avios from Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt, watch for transfer bonuses, and book off-peak business when you find space. See the devaluation overview.
Frequently asked questions
Has Aer Lingus AerClub devalued?
Yes, quietly. Rather than overhaul its chart, AerClub reclassified the distances between some cities, so certain routes moved into a more expensive zone even though the flight did not change. The result is pricier awards on affected routes.
How much is Aer Lingus business class on points?
Transatlantic business class between the US East Coast and Ireland starts around 50,000 Avios one-way during off-peak periods, often with lower surcharges than British Airways on similar routes, making it a strong Avios value.
Does Aer Lingus use Avios?
Yes. AerClub is part of the Avios family with British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar, so Avios can be moved between them, and it prices its own flights on a distance-based, zoned chart with off-peak and peak rates.
Where do Aer Lingus Avios come from?
From Avios-earning bank programs including Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt, often with transfer bonuses. Because AerClub shares Avios, you can pool points from several programs toward an Aer Lingus award.
Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.
