United Gateway 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 what makes the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card a compelling choice for certain travelers.

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• You'll earn extra Avios points on flights with Aer Lingus and its partners, plus on hotel stays booked directly.
• Although there's an annual fee, you won't pay any foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.
• Earning the annual companion ticket after meeting the spending requirement can easily justify the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A substantial welcome bonus provides a large sum of Avios to new cardholders.
• Enjoy travel perks like priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights and the ability to earn a valuable companion ticket each year.
• Avios points can be redeemed for flights across a network of partner airlines, including British Airways and Iberia.

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Cons

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• The card's rewards program offers limited flexibility, with redemption options mostly confined to Aer Lingus and its airline partners.
• Its value is primarily for frequent flyers of Aer Lingus, making it less suitable for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline or its partners.
• The companion ticket benefit comes with a high annual spending requirement, and the annual fee can be hard to justify for infrequent travelers.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding between these two travel cards can be tricky, so let's break down which is better, the United Gateway or Aer Lingus Visa Signature, based on your travel habits.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level option ideal for occasional United flyers, beginners to travel rewards, or budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without an annual fee.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is best suited for frequent travelers to Ireland and Europe, particularly those loyal to the airline who can take full advantage of its travel-specific benefits and in-flight perks.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles can be redeemed for flights on United and its partner airlines, as well as for other travel like hotel stays, car rentals, and cruises.

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Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Rewards are collected as Avios, which can be used to book flights on Aer Lingus and its partner airlines, offering particularly good value on transatlantic routes.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card comes with foreign transaction fees, making it less ideal for purchases outside the U.S. Cardholders receive 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: A key advantage is that it has no foreign transaction fees. It also offers priority boarding for you and authorized users on Aer Lingus flights between the U.S. and Ireland. After meeting a specific annual spending requirement, cardholders earn an economy companion ticket, a valuable perk for those traveling with a partner. Neither card offers complimentary lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make sure you're choosing the right card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards with personalized, data-driven recommendations.

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• Test drive a credit card: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply, giving you a clear projection of your annual rewards.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for various cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you are approved for a card and then find a better public welcome offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add certain approved cards to your digital Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners in the travel rewards space who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. Budget-conscious travelers can also benefit, using the card for everyday purchases and international travel thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. It serves as a solid entry point into the MileagePlus program before potentially upgrading to a more premium card, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?

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The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently fly with Aer Lingus to Ireland and other European destinations. Its value is most apparent for those who can maximize the companion ticket benefit after meeting the annual spending requirement and who prefer earning Avios points for their travel rewards. As one card review notes, this card is a valuable addition for anyone who regularly books flights to the Emerald Isle or connects through to the rest of Europe.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Gateway vs. Aer Lingus Visa Signature comparison has left you undecided, don't worry. There are other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match 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: Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
• Plan Your Spending: Make sure you can naturally meet any spending requirements for welcome offers or key benefits.
• Know the Rules: Be aware of issuer-specific application rules that might affect your eligibility for a new card.

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Application Strategy

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• Consider Issuer Rules: Be mindful of bank-specific policies that could impact your approval.
• Assess Long-Term Fit: Evaluate if the card's benefits justify its place in your wallet long-term.
• Strategize for Key Perks: Plan your spending to unlock valuable benefits beyond the initial welcome offer.

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 transfer points earned with the United Gateway Card to Aer Lingus, or vice versa?

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No, you cannot directly transfer rewards between the two programs. United MileagePlus miles and Aer Lingus Avios are separate currencies belonging to different airline loyalty programs.

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Do either the United Gateway Card or the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card have an annual fee?

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The United Gateway Card does not have an annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for earning MileagePlus miles. The Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card, however, typically carries an annual fee, which you should weigh against its benefits.

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Are both cards good for international travel?

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Both cards are excellent for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees. Your decision should be based on which airline alliance and route network—Star Alliance for United or Oneworld partners for Aer Lingus—better suits your travel patterns.

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Can I earn a companion pass with either of these cards?

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The Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card offers a valuable companion ticket each year you meet the minimum spending requirement. The United Gateway Card does not offer a similar companion pass benefit.

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