Aer Lingus loyalty club to offer discounts on BA, Iberia flights

Aer Lingus loyalty club members will be able to get discounts on British Airways and Iberia flights from next spring, when the Irish airline's scheme will tie in with the Avios programme offered by its parent group.

The carrier is relaunching its Gold Circle loyalty programme as AerClub from early next year. The new scheme will offer increased benefits on ticket and other purchases and members will be able to collect Avios points, allowing them to claim discounts on British Airways and Iberia flights.

Avios the programme run by Aer Lingus parent, International Consolidated Airlines' Group (IAG), which owns Britiah Airways, Iberia and Veuling as well as the Irish company. It has an estimated seven million members worldwide.

Aer Lingus chief operating officer, Mike Rutter, said that the airline was delighted to introduce the new loyalty programme. Gavin Halliday, managing director of Avios, added that customers would have access to both domestic and international flights and routes.