Amex Platinum vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

Aer Lingus Visa Signature Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "29", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Travel Rewards", "headerHint" : "Best for Travelers" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Let's take a closer look at the specific benefits that make the Aer Lingus Visa Signature card a compelling option for travelers.

‍

• The ability to earn a companion ticket each year makes it a great value for those who travel with a partner.
• It offers valuable travel perks like priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights and no foreign transaction fees.
• Avios points can be redeemed for flights across a wide network of partner airlines, offering excellent flexibility for your travel plans.

‍

Pros

‍

• Annual companion ticket benefit for eligible cardmembers.
• Priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights and no foreign transaction fees.
• Flexible rewards that can be redeemed for flights with multiple partner airlines.

‍

Cons

‍

• The redemption options for Avios points are less flexible than many other travel rewards programs.
• Its benefits are heavily concentrated on Aer Lingus and its partners, limiting its value for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• It lacks common premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access or annual travel credits.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs American Express Platinum Card®

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding between these two travel cards comes down to your personal travel style, raising the question of which is better: Amex Platinum or Aer Lingus Visa Signature? Let's break down what each card offers to help you decide.

‍

• The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who value luxury perks and exclusive benefits.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is a travel rewards card best suited for those who frequently fly with Aer Lingus, particularly to Ireland and Europe.

‍

Redemption

‍

American Express Platinum Card®: Points can be redeemed with great flexibility, offering transfers to a wide network of airline and hotel partners or used to book travel directly through American Express Travel.

‍

Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Rewards are primarily redeemed for flights on Aer Lingus and its partner airlines, making it ideal for earning award tickets to Europe.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card offers a comprehensive travel ecosystem. Cardholders gain access to the American Express Travel portal for bookings and are part of a broad network that includes extensive airport lounge access through The Global Lounge Collection®, which includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights. The card does not have foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: The ecosystem for this card is centered on Aer Lingus and its airline partners, including British Airways and Iberia. While it doesn't offer a broad lounge access program like Priority Pass, its benefits are geared toward enhancing the experience with the airline, such as priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights. The card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel, especially to Europe.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

‍

• Use the 'Test Drive' feature to simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending history before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations that match your unique spending habits, not generic advice.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card's points when you shop at participating stores with Kudos Boost.
• If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

‍

The Platinum Card® from American Express is tailor-made for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and can maximize its extensive benefits. This cardholder is someone who regularly takes advantage of premium perks like airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and a suite of annual statement credits for travel, dining, and entertainment. Ultimately, it's best suited for those whose spending habits align with the card's travel-centric rewards structure, rather than individuals seeking simple cashback or rewards on everyday purchases.

Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?

‍

The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers to Ireland and Europe, particularly those loyal to the airline and its partners. This cardholder values earning Avios points on every purchase and enjoys practical perks like priority boarding on Aer Lingus-operated flights. Ultimately, the ideal user is a high-spender who can meet the $30,000 annual spending requirement to unlock the valuable companion ticket benefit for a travel partner.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If this Amex Platinum vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature comparison shows that neither card is the right fit for your wallet, other options are available. Let's explore a few alternatives that might better suit your travel and spending habits.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["510", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Annual Travel Credit", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score: You will generally need good to excellent credit to be approved for a premium card.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can comfortably meet the spending requirement for the Welcome Offer without overspending.
• Review application rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies that might affect your eligibility for a new card or offer.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application: Apply when you find an elevated Welcome Offer to maximize your first-year value.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be mindful of policies like the Chase 5/24 rule that could impact your approval.
• Prepare to manage your benefits: Some premium cards require you to enroll in benefits manually to receive the full value.

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can I transfer points from the American Express Platinum Card to Aer Lingus?

‍

Yes, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Aer Lingus AerClub. Since both programs use Avios, you can move points between accounts after transferring from Amex to an Avios partner like British Airways Executive Club.

‍

Which card has a higher annual fee?

‍

The American Express® Platinum Card carries a significantly higher annual fee than the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card. This cost is justified for many cardholders by its extensive list of travel credits and luxury perks, for which terms apply.

‍

Is the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card worth it if I don't fly Aer Lingus often?

‍

The card's value is most apparent for frequent Aer Lingus flyers, who can take full advantage of benefits like a companion ticket and priority boarding. If you rarely fly the airline, a general travel rewards card may offer more flexible value.

‍