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“Love, AerClub.” Those are the words you'll read after scrolling through an Aer Lingus email detailing upcoming changes to the AerClub elite status qualification period. And to distill all the jargon in that email, Aer Lingus is adopting a standardized qualification period, much like another Avios airline — British Airways — did last month.
Here's the run-down on the changes coming to the Aer Lingus AerClub program.
Aer Lingus AerClub Adopts Standardized Tier Qualification Period
With rare exceptions, most airlines give frequent flyers the same timeframe to qualify for status. While some airlines give you the calendar year and others give you, say, March through February, the bottom line is that the clock starts and ends at the same time for everyone.
Aer Lingus' AerClub program doesn't operate that way. AerClub's status qualification year depends on when you join the AerClub program. So, if you joined the program in February, you'll have a different status qualification year than someone who joined in July. To simplify things and alleviate confusion, Aer Lingus is adopting a unified status qualification year.
Starting on April 1, 2024, the new Tier Qualification Period will go into effect. Simply, the new status year will run from April 1 through March 31 annually — for everyone. You'll see these changes apply to your AerClub account on April 10, 2024.
Unlike British Airways' adoption of a unified system, there's no grace period. When the changes take effect, the new status year begins — even if you started accruing Tier Points for your current year last month, for example.
However, if you currently hold AerClub Silver, Platinum, or Concierge status, Aer Lingus will protect your status. The Ireland-based carrier will extend your status until March 31, 2025. Or, if the expiry date on your elite status comes after March 31, it will extend your status an additional year to March 31, 2026.
Obviously, there are winners and losers with the new system. It's far simpler and easier to manage. However, those who started accruing Tier Credits in the past few months will be in for a rude awakening when accounts reset to zero at the beginning of April. But hey, “Love, AerClub,” remember?
Related: Do Aer Lingus AerClub Avios Expire?
Final Thoughts
Aer Lingus is making some changes to its AerClub program. Starting April 1, 2024, the Irish carrier will introduce a new, unified Tier Credit qualification year for its frequent flyers. While this will simplify one of the quirkiest aspects of the AerClub program, the change will be unfortunate for others when accounts reset to zero in a month.
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