Jul 25, 2017, 10:25 am
Last edit by: Prospero
How Can I Achieve ConciergeKeySM / "CK" Program
(Concierge Key is by invitation only)
(Concierge Key is by invitation only)
NOTE: For issues relating to services provision for CK members, changes in offerings and all other issues pertaining to current Concierge Key members, please see AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK members (master thread) thread
"The ConciergeKey Program is an exclusive program that American Airlines has for our very top customers. This is by invitation only and a very exclusive club." (Billy Sanez for AA) You can not apply for CK; you must be nominated and invited. According to member Gino Troian, reviews and decisions ~July, December.
ConciergeKey Services are provided to a select group of VIPs to facilitate travel on AA. The program is offered on an invitation basis only and is targeted at customers who control travel policy for large organizations. Customers who generate a high amount of revenue for AA may also be invited into this program (possibly those who spend upwards of US$60k a year on travel with AA).
Possible ways to gain CK, remembering that as the criteria are not published this is somewhat speculative, based on having several CKs posting here and some members knowing several CKs (in no particular order):
- Arranger of travel with corporate travel contract with AA
- Influencer of travel with Fortune 1,000
- True VIP with significant recognition within an industry or profession
- Air Pass with $60,000 or more prepaid travel
- VFF EXP with high EQD ($75k?) and many high fare flights p.a. on AA
- Nominated by "sales" at AA (may dovetail with immediately above)
- Be sent a targeted "challenge" by AA instead of an invitation (see below)
According to Emily McNutt of The Points Guy, July 19, 2017 (link), AA has selected some high achievers to send a "challenge" type of CK invitation (offer closed 21 Jul 2017).
The offer required the invitee to earn 16,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) on AA marketed or operated flights within the next 90 days in order to get Concierge Key status; successful completion receive Concierge Key through January 2019.
"According to one FlyerTalk user who was targeted, they have 65,000 EQDs (54,000 on AA-operated flights) and 223,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs)." We don't know if AA will make this offer in the future.
SERVICES: Services provided include airport escorts, Cadillac apron or golf cart transfers, pre-boarding (seems variable, more likely during OSO?); assistance with flight changes, seat changes, and upgrade requests via their own dedicated telephone line. In addition, there is the ability to communicate directly with ConciergeKey associates via a dedicated email address. ConciergeKeySM representatives will also monitor day of travel of ConciergeKey members and will proactively reroute or rebook travel when necessary. ConciergeKey status allows check-in at First Class counters, as well as access to elite lines through security at certain airports. Miles and copay upgrades with copay waived. CK are First in upgrade and reaccommodation Priority, over EP.
ConciergeKey members receive AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, membership to the Admirals Club, international miles upgrades with copayment waived, as well as two additional System-Wide Upgrades (SWU's) as part of CK membership. (From our FlyerGuide AA Wiki page)
CK members have access to Flagship Check-in on any flight. It has been said unofficially CK will have Flagship Lounge access when flying.
As of 1 Jan 2017, Concierge Key members have upgrade requests prioritized over all other tiers: CK members have an upgrade window of (up to) 120 hours (Executive Platinum member's will retain the 100 hour upgrade window). CK members are pre-boarded ahead of other passengers.
Regarding Concierge Key tier benefits coming in 2017, please see: New Concierge Key Benefits for 2017: New CK Elite Status Tier
Boarding Area's AAdvantageGeek's blog shows the card and documents here.
Previous threads:
ConciergeKey AA Premium Service (ARCHIVED)
ARCHIVED: AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK (2014 consolidated)
Updated 25 Jul 2017 by JDiver
How do I make / making AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK? (master thread
Jul 18, 2017, 7:39 pm
#61
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Jul 18, 2017, 8:58 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
CK offer evidence?
Anyone have any evidence of this alleged CK spend offer that was circulating today? A link perhaps, user dependent, would be interesting even if it bombs out.
Jul 18, 2017, 9:16 pm
#63
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: Alaska FF
Posts: 302
Jul 18, 2017, 10:17 pm
#66
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, SFO
Programs: AA CK, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 14
I received this offer. As a reference point i have 65k EQD and about 54K on AA Operated flights with 223k EQM. I am spending another 8k this Saturday from DFW to HKG which should put me half way there already with a little over 2 months to go since i signed up.
Jul 18, 2017, 10:28 pm
#67
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
The levels of elite status with AA continue to be a moving target.
Jul 18, 2017, 10:35 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 152
Sincere question: are you a bit disappointed that that they made you sign up for this offer instead of granting you CK status?
Jul 18, 2017, 10:37 pm
#69
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Aspen, CO
Posts: 792
That's insane! I actually thought I had a chance, but after reading this, I'm totally off... Best of luck and enjoy CK!!!
Jul 18, 2017, 10:44 pm
#70
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, SFO
Programs: AA CK, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 14
Jul 18, 2017, 10:50 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, SFO
Programs: AA CK, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 14
Thanks!! You still have half a year to try for it. But if you really are flying out of SFO i would probably just stick with UA for Global Service.
Jul 20, 2017, 1:02 pm
#72
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Titanium Elite, National Executive Elite
Posts: 326
Even if you didn't complete the challenge, you are likely to qualify when they do the evaluations at the end of the year. Is this your first year with that level of spend? Being at 65K EQD already is definitely CK level spending, and its more than I have reached to date. I am on par to requalify with my current spend level based on requalifying last year...
Jul 20, 2017, 1:06 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Titanium Elite, National Executive Elite
Posts: 326
Am I the only one who lacks to understand the purpose of a personal welcome at outstations like NRT? There's no actual benefit from it - at the same time (and for the matter of politeness) I don't want to ignore the staff member who's designated to wait for me to deplane. Even during an IRROP, the only benefit they've provided was handing me over a new boarding pass, so I did not have to walk over to the transfer desk.
Jul 20, 2017, 3:55 pm
#74
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
It has been mentioned on more than one internet site, including Facebook. The terms have been specified. It exists. It does seem to have a starve distribution. AA has no need to send this offer to those who will just make EP, or even EPx2 in terms of miles and EQD.
Jul 20, 2017, 5:23 pm
#75
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, SFO
Programs: AA CK, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 14
Even if you didn't complete the challenge, you are likely to qualify when they do the evaluations at the end of the year. Is this your first year with that level of spend? Being at 65K EQD already is definitely CK level spending, and its more than I have reached to date. I am on par to requalify with my current spend level based on requalifying last year...