United Explorer 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 the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card stands out in our review.

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• You can earn 3X Avios on purchases with Aer Lingus and its airline partners, including British Airways and Iberia.
• The card offers valuable travel perks like priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights and no foreign transaction fees.
• Taking just two round-trip flights with Aer Lingus annually could offset the $95 annual fee from the value of priority boarding alone (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earns Avios points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for flights with Aer Lingus and its partner airlines.
• Includes valuable perks for Aer Lingus flyers, such as priority boarding and the chance to earn a companion ticket.
• Ideal for international travel with no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Redemption options are somewhat limited, as Avios points are most valuable when used with Aer Lingus and its partner airlines.
• The card's benefits are geared toward a specific type of traveler, making it less appealing for those who don't frequently fly with Aer Lingus or its partners.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs United Explorer

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, United Explorer or Aer Lingus Visa Signature, it's crucial to look at your personal travel patterns and which airline's perks you'll use most often.

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• United℠ Explorer Card - This card is best suited for frequent travelers who regularly fly with United Airlines and want to maximize value through airline-specific benefits.
• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card - This card is ideal for travelers who often fly to Ireland and Europe, particularly those loyal to Aer Lingus who can benefit from in-flight perks.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Rewards are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. Points can also be used for other travel purchases, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and cruises.

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Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: You'll earn Avios, which are ideal for booking flights on Aer Lingus, particularly to Ireland and Europe. These points can also be transferred and combined with other partner airline loyalty programs, like British Airways and Iberia, for greater flexibility.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Neither the United℠ Explorer Card nor the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card charges foreign transaction fees, making them equally suitable for international spending.
• Lounge Access: The United Explorer Card provides two one-time United Club passes annually. The Aer Lingus card does not offer lounge access, but it does grant priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights.
• Airline Alliance: As a United card, the Explorer card gives you access to the extensive Star Alliance network for award bookings. The Aer Lingus card operates within the Avios ecosystem, allowing point transfers and redemptions with partners like British Airways and Iberia, which is a strong network for European travel.
• Travel Credits: The United Explorer Card includes a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee. The Aer Lingus card does not offer a similar credit but provides a companion ticket after meeting an annual spending requirement.

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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 to compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

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Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who travel with the airline at least a few times per year. Its key perks, like a free first checked bag and priority boarding, can easily offset the annual fee for those who regularly check luggage or value a smoother airport experience. Additionally, it's a strong choice for international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and for anyone looking to save on expedited security program application fees like TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.

Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?

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The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for frequent flyers to Ireland and Europe, particularly those who regularly fly with Aer Lingus or its partner airlines. These travelers will find significant value in perks like priority boarding and the ability to earn a commercial companion ticket after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. Additionally, as detailed in this card review, it's a strong choice for anyone looking to accumulate Avios points and avoid foreign transaction fees on their international travels.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature comparison didn't lead you to a clear winner, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending. Ensure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Research transfer partners. Know how you will use your points before applying to maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Apply strategically. Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spending requirement naturally.
• Consider issuer-specific rules. Be aware of any application restrictions from the card issuer, such as limits on recently opened accounts.
• Align the card with your loyalty. Co-branded cards like the United℠ Explorer Card or Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card offer the most value to frequent flyers of those airlines.

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 United Explorer Card and the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card?

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Yes, you can apply for and hold both cards simultaneously, as they are considered different products. Since both are issued by Chase, your applications will be subject to the bank's approval criteria, including its 5/24 rule.

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Are there foreign transaction fees on these cards?

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No, neither the United℠ Explorer Card nor the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both of them solid choices for purchases made outside the United States.

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What are Avios and how do they work?

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Avios are the rewards currency for the Aer Lingus AerClub loyalty program, which you earn with the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card. You can redeem Avios for flights with Aer Lingus and its partner airlines, such as British Airways and Iberia.

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