How does the Aer Lingus AerClub eStore actually work?

The Flight Detective
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Members of the Aer Lingus frequent flyer programme can collect Avios on everyday purchases through the AerClub eStore. This is where you can earn extra points through purchases via the portal.

I’ve always been reluctant to use these kinds of things, as the tracking is in the background and is not instant. Recently I decided to take the plunge and made a number of orders to see how it works.

Aer Lingus AerClub eStore

First and foremost you need to login at the AerClub eStore with your frequent flyer number and password. You then get presented with the home page and you want to click “Collect Online” at the top. This lists all the retailers and how many Avios you will earn.

I noticed the AerClub eStore was offering 8 Avios per €1 for Booking.com, plus 1,000 bonus Avios for bookings made between 27 May and 10 June. Since I had a hotel booking to make, I clicked into their tile and then Shop Now, which takes you to their web site.

From there, I made my booking as usual and received a confirmation e-mail. Going back to the eStore showed a message on the screen saying that my transaction had been tracked and that was that.

After this, I noticed Lifestyle Sports were offering 12 Avios per €1 and I’d been needing new running shoes for a couple of months, so I took the plunge. Same deal, I bought my shoes, received a confirmation from the retailer and that was that.

But Did I Get My Avios?

I made my purchases on a Friday afternoon, and on Monday I received e-mails saying my Avios were on the way. When you get them differs by retailer – Lifestyle Sports is five days, while Booking.com Avios arrive within 35 days of the last day of your hotel stay.

True to form, the 2,160 Avios for the shoes arrived very quickly. I ordered Friday afternoon, they were delivered Saturday and the Avios arrived overnight between Monday and Tuesday. The other transactions are all registered and will arrive in due course. Seamless!

Overall Thoughts

Quite frankly, I’m pleasantly surprised that it worked. I shouldn’t be, as apparently I bought something in 2018 and it worked then too. Either way, there’s no reason not to use the AerClub eStore to turbocharge your Avios balance.

There are plenty of familiar retailers to choose from, from large department stores like Arnotts and Brown Thomas, to things like Disney+, computer retailers, sports, books – you name it and it’s probably there. I was reminded of it by one of those promotional e-mail shots. Looks like they do work!

Have you used the Aer Lingus AerClub eStore before? How was your experience? Have you used something similar with another airline? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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[…] How does the Aer Lingus AerClub eStore actually work … […]

Declan

I use it all the time. Beware though – read the terms and conditions before buying. Arnotts & Brown Thomas recently changed their T&Cs so anything on sale no longer earns Avios. As I only every bought items on sale in either store I no longer earn anything there. Lifestyle have also changed their T&Cs so you only earn half the stated reward on sale items. For many sites you only earn points on the VAT exclusive price of what you’ve bought – so only expect to earn points on about 80% of your total spend. What’s infuriating is that… Read more »

Declan

I also meant to add, check the SuperValu eStore to see who more points on offer with the retailer. Lots of the same retailers are on both, and depending on promotions there may be more Real Rewards points on offer which can be converted to Avios with a 25% bonus in December, Easter and August. There are additional retailers on the SuperValu site who are not on the Aer Lingus portal also.

Declan

Yep – I’ve been holding my Real Rewards too, but they expire on the 2nd December this year – so I’ll have to take whatever bonus they are offering in August I think. It’s crazy to think they were offering a 300% bonus not that long ago. They got very stingy very quickly. Also it’s much harder to earn points now that alcohol is excluded. 🙁

Declan

Judging by the ‘Get There Sooner with SuperValu” email AerClub issued today, it would appear there is zero bonus this time around.

Declan

Did you notice the Avios amounts quoted on that email today from AerClub? It says Berlin or Rome cost 7,527 Avios, Amsterdam is 5,775 and Paris is 7,350. Those numbers appear to be plucked out of thin air and bear no relation to the Peak or Off-Peal amounts on the AerClub rewards chart.

Declan

Ah I see – thanks for clarifying. What a weird thing to promote in the email. Why not promote the actual redemption flights?!

radhadahked

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