IHG One Rewards Premier vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

Aer Lingus Visa Signature Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is a solid choice for the right traveler.

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• While the card comes with an annual fee, it waives foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travel.
• Cardholders receive priority boarding on Aer Lingus operated flights, adding a layer of convenience to the travel experience.
• Spending about $3,200 on flights with Aer Lingus or its partners can offset the card's annual fee in rewards value (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders can earn a companion ticket and receive priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights.
• Features a generous welcome bonus and lets you earn Avios points redeemable with multiple partner airlines.
• No foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international trips.

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Cons

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• The rewards program is less flexible than many others, with redemption options mostly limited to Aer Lingus and its partners.
• Benefits are heavily geared toward frequent Aer Lingus flyers, limiting the card's appeal for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• The companion ticket benefit is locked behind a high annual spending requirement that may be difficult for many cardholders to meet.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or Aer Lingus Visa Signature, it's crucial to look at your personal travel style and goals. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, offering distinct rewards and benefits.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for frequent guests of IHG properties. It's best for travelers who value hotel-specific perks like elite status and free night awards.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is geared toward travelers who frequently fly to Ireland and Europe, particularly with Aer Lingus. The card is ideal for those who can take advantage of airline-specific benefits like companion tickets and priority boarding.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for award nights at IHG hotels and resorts worldwide, though they can also be used for other travel and merchandise.

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Aer Lingus Visa Signature: Rewards are mainly used for booking flights on Aer Lingus and its airline partners, providing a straightforward way to secure award travel; cardholders can also leverage their spending to earn valuable flight benefits like companion tickets.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is built entirely around the IHG One Rewards program. It does not have foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international hotel stays. While it does not offer airport lounge access, its travel perks are focused on the hotel experience, including benefits like automatic elite status and an annual free night award.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: The travel ecosystem for this card revolves around the Avios rewards currency, which can be used for flights on Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and their partner airlines. The card has no foreign transaction fees. It does not include airport lounge access but offers airline-specific benefits such as priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-driven decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare thousands of credit cards and find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Feature: See how much a new credit card could earn you by using your real spending data to simulate rewards before you apply.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular credit card points when shopping at participating stores.
• Personalized Card Matching: Get data-driven recommendations for the most rewarding cards based on your actual spending patterns.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties, such as Holiday Inn, InterContinental, or Kimpton. Ideal cardholders are those who value automatic Platinum Elite status and can maximize benefits like the fourth reward night free on longer stays. It's also a great fit for anyone who can leverage the annual free night certificate, as this perk alone can often justify the card's annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?

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The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers to Ireland and Europe, particularly those loyal to the airline. As detailed in our card review, cardholders who can take full advantage of perks like priority boarding and the valuable companion ticket will find the annual fee easy to justify. It's also a strong contender for anyone who wants to earn Avios points for use across Aer Lingus and its partner airlines like British Airways and Iberia.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature comparison left you undecided, don't pack your bags just yet. There are other excellent travel cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure you meet the general requirement for good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending to see if you can naturally meet any high spending thresholds for top-tier benefits.
• Review the card’s ecosystem to confirm its benefits and partners align with your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules to understand any application restrictions that may apply.
• Target co-branded cards that align with airlines or hotels you already frequent.
• Be patient if searching independently and try multiple methods if one doesn’t work initially.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I have both the IHG One Rewards Premier and Aer Lingus Visa Signature cards?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both cards simultaneously since they are tied to different loyalty programs. However, approval for each card is subject to the issuer's application rules and your individual creditworthiness.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier card is generally stronger for everyday spending, offering accelerated points on broad categories like travel, dining, and gas. The Aer Lingus Visa Signature card's bonus categories are more narrowly focused on flights with partner airlines and direct hotel bookings.

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Can I transfer rewards from these cards to other loyalty programs?

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IHG One Rewards points have limited transfer options, making them less flexible for use outside of IHG properties. In contrast, Aer Lingus Avios can be combined with Avios from other programs like British Airways and Iberia, offering greater redemption flexibility across multiple airlines.

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