Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 option.

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• The card offers a solid rewards rate on travel, especially for flights with Aer Lingus and its partners, and on hotel accommodations.
• While there is an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card waives foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.
• Cardholders who spend enough to earn the economy companion ticket each year can easily offset the card's annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights and the ability to earn a companion ticket.
• The card offers a flexible rewards program, allowing you to earn and redeem Avios points with Aer Lingus and its partner airlines.
• It's a strong choice for international travel, with no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• The rewards program offers limited flexibility, with redemption options primarily centered on Aer Lingus and its partner airlines.
• Its value is heavily skewed towards travelers loyal to Aer Lingus, offering less for those who fly with a variety of carriers.
• Earning the valuable companion ticket requires a significant spending threshold that may be unattainable for many cardholders.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Choosing the right travel credit card can be tricky. Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card or the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card, depends entirely on your travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is tailored for dedicated Southwest flyers, offering perks and rewards that enhance their travel experience with the airline.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: This card is ideal for travelers who frequently fly to Ireland and Europe, particularly those who can take advantage of rewards with Aer Lingus and its partners.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. This offers a straightforward redemption path for domestic travelers loyal to the airline.

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Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: This card earns Avios, which can be redeemed for flights not only on Aer Lingus but also on partner airlines like British Airways and Iberia. This provides greater flexibility for international travel, especially to and from Europe.

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Travel Perks

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• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards cater to globetrotters by waiving foreign transaction fees, so you won't see extra charges on your statement when making purchases abroad.
• Signature Perks: The Southwest card is built for the loyalist, offering an annual travel credit applicable to Southwest flights and several Upgraded Boardings per year. The Aer Lingus card, on the other hand, offers a valuable economy companion ticket after you meet a specific spending threshold each year, making a trip for two to Ireland more accessible.
• At the Airport and Onboard: With the Aer Lingus card, you receive priority boarding on transatlantic flights. The Southwest card enhances the onboard experience with discounts on in-flight purchases like Wi-Fi and drinks, though neither card includes general airport lounge access as a primary benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• “Test drive” a card by simulating your potential earnings with it using your actual spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report, taking the guesswork out of applying.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your existing credit card points when you shop with Kudos Boost.
• Discover personalized card recommendations matched to your spending history to maximize your earnings.
• Monitor your transactions, spending habits, and credit score all in one platform.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can easily maximize its annual travel credit and upgraded boarding perks. It's also a powerful tool for Southwest loyalists aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass® or accelerate their journey to A-List status through credit card spending. Additionally, families and domestic travelers who appreciate Southwest's flexible policies and extensive U.S. network will find significant value in the card's rewards structure.

Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?

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The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is designed for frequent travelers to Ireland and Europe, especially those loyal to the Aer Lingus airline. Cardholders who can take full advantage of perks like priority boarding and the economy companion ticket—awarded after spending $30,000 in a calendar year—will find the most value. It's also an excellent choice for individuals who want to earn Avios on purchases and avoid foreign transaction fees while traveling abroad.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature comparison has left you undecided, several other cards offer compelling travel benefits. Here are a few alternatives that might be a better match for your spending and travel patterns.

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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 - You'll generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Research the rewards program - Know how you'll use the points and benefits before you commit.

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Application Strategy

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• Review your application history - Be mindful of issuer-specific rules regarding how many cards you've recently opened.
• Evaluate your travel patterns - Co-branded cards, like those for Southwest or Aer Lingus, offer the most value to loyal customers.
• Align with major travel goals - A welcome offer can be a stepping stone toward valuable perks like a companion pass.

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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Which card is better for domestic travel within the United States?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is generally more advantageous for domestic US travel due to Southwest's extensive route network within the country. The Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card's value is more focused on transatlantic flights to and from Ireland.

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Can I use the Southwest Companion Pass with the Aer Lingus card?

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No, the Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit exclusive to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program and cannot be used with the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card or its rewards. Points earned with the Aer Lingus card are Avios, which are separate from Southwest's Rapid Rewards points.

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What are Avios and can they be used on other airlines?

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Avios are the reward currency for the Aer Lingus loyalty program, which you earn with the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card. You can redeem Avios not only for Aer Lingus flights but also transfer them to other partner airlines like British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways.

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