Aer Lingus has announced a re-launch of its loyalty programme in partnership with Avios.

The programme will launch in spring 2016 and will be named AerClub.

Aer Lingus’ current loyalty programme, Gold Circle, was introduced in 1987 and a lot has happened in the airline and travel industries in the intervening 28 years.

Following extensive market research and feedback from Gold Circle members, key areas of improvement were identified.

Those areas included more availability of seats on Aar Lingus flights for purchase and upgrade, as well as rewards for short haul flights

AerClub will become the first Irish airline loyalty programme to give its members the opportunity to collect Avios reward points not only by booking flights on Aer Lingus and airline partners, but also on non-air purchases from a wide range of brands including retail, hotels and car hire, across Ireland, Europe and North America.

With AerClub, members will also be able to experience an enhanced choice of rewards.

They will have greater access to flights on Aer Lingus and will also be able to spend their Avios points on travel and leisure experiences.

Gold Circle Club members will continue to enjoy all the benefits of Gold Circle Club membership while the transition takes place.

Gold Circle members will be contacted before the end of November and invited to join AerClub.

Members will receive regular updates on programme development, new collection and redemption partners and news.