The Aer Lingus Visa and Southwest Priority are closely matched. Aer Lingus Visa wins on 2 categories (85,000 pts signup bonus); Southwest Priority wins on 2 (90,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns.
Aer Lingus Visa vs Southwest Priority
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Which Card Comes Out Ahead?
Aer Lingus Visa and Southwest Priority are close enough that the better pick depends on where you spend most, how much value you get from perks, and whether you prefer one rewards ecosystem over the other.
Best if your main priority is the larger current welcome offer.
Best if you care most about stronger category earning on everyday spend.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
Use the statement analyzer if you want the answer based on your real spending
This comparison shows the structural differences between the cards. The statement analyzer shows which one actually wins for your category mix, wallet habits, and spending pattern.
- British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia 3x
- hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel. 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- Southwest Airlines 4x
- Restaurants 2x
- Gas Stations 2x
- Travel Credit $75
- Priority Boarding on Aer Lingus flights from and to the US & Ireland
- Commercial Companion Ticket each year Every calendar year you make purchases of $30,000 on your Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card, you'll receive an economy companion ticket good for 12 months.After $30,000 spend
- 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $5,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Aer Lingus Visa and Southwest Priority are closely matched. Aer Lingus Visa wins on 2 categories (85,000 pts signup bonus); Southwest Priority wins on 2 (90,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns. On raw upside, Aer Lingus Visa tops out at 3x versus 4x for Southwest Priority. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1360 for Aer Lingus Visa and $900 for Southwest Priority. Summary generated June 27, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/aer-lingus-visa-vs-southwest-priority
- Aer Lingus Visa wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Aer Lingus Visa reaches 3x; Southwest Priority reaches 4x.
- Annual fee: Aer Lingus Visa is $95/yr; Southwest Priority is $229/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1360 and $900.
Common Questions: Aer Lingus Visa vs Southwest Priority
Is the Aer Lingus Visa or Southwest Priority better for dining?
Aer Lingus Visa has no dining bonus; Southwest Priority earns 2x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Aer Lingus Visa currently offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). Southwest Priority offers 90,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Aer Lingus Visa has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Aer Lingus Visa and the Southwest Priority?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.
Keep Researching
If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.