This is correct.

However, for the first time from what I can tell, those who qualify for CK but not EXP are being granted EXP status. Before we had CK matched with Gold or Plat status as well as EXP. This suggests to me that there are changes underway which will bring CK to the same level as GS at UA. This is just my speculation based on nothing else than a hunch. Revenue recognition over miles flown recognition is where these programs are headed.

Even if this is accurate, if this is all it is it is not like GS at UA. GS are not 1Ks, they are above 1Ks in virtually all matters (upgrades, etc.). So if accurate this would just increase the numbers of EXPs, but probably not by as much as the double EQM promos will do.

Membership Card ?
 

Has anyone received a 2012 CK membership kit yet ?

Would have been good to know that Admiral's Club membership was going to come with CK, since I chose the membership as one of my >125 EQP awards.

I have probably said this before, but I always thought CK's should be granted Flagship Lounge access.

BTW, I love the Flagship check in at LAX, sure beats having to dodge the 'stair guard'.

I only knew that I was renewed because I was on the phone with CK and asked. I haven't gotten an email or regular mail about it.

how do I get my AAdmirals Club card? I have received nothing.

Any Concierge Key member willing to have a 5-10 minute chat (either via phone or on Google Talk, etc.) with a United Global Services member considering making the jump over to AA?

PM me if you have a few minutes.

Interesting experience the other day. Flying LAX - JFK, sitting in a J seat (upgraded from Y) next to my boss (PLT), who was on a full fare J ticket. Gate agent comes up to me and asks if I want to move up to F and handed me a F seat. They moved someone else up to my seat. that was my first double upgrade - nice.

Totally agree - how much would this cost them? From my discussions with CK reps at LAX, there are something like 60-80 people who use Flagship checkin on any given day. Some of those are First passengers who are not CK and who currently get access to Flagship lounge. So it just doesn't seem like the extra burden would be that substantial. (by the way, agree re: Flagship checkin)

Still no card or welcome kit for me...

My CK status didn't get renewed this year (although AA hasn't told me that - but my calls now get routed to the EXP desk rather than CK) but I received spotty access to the JFK FL as a CK when traveling on domestic itineraries where I should not have been entitled to that privilege.

To me, the inherent limitation of the CK experience, from a purely customer service and retention perspective, is that the benefits are not well defined and are provided on a virtually random basis. The personal greeting on the plane and the occasional meet and greet at the airport (along with the FL access) are nice but they aren't going to persuade me to book AA over another carrier if they aren't provided on at least some sort of a systematic basis.

The published ExPlat benefits and the need to requalify each year do a much better job of retaining my business than CK ever did.

If you have AC access on your account, any valid card should work. AC access came with my AAirPass (and now my renewed CK I understand) and I did not receive an updated AC membership card (I had previously purchased AC memberships). Once my purchased membership expired, I have used whatever card I had with me at the time including EXP card, CK card and AAirPass card - along with a photo ID ;) - to gain access to many different clubs throughout the system.

I agree. This is particularly true with the new five star service in place. Once recently I asked for the T3 to T5 escort at LHR from CK and was simply told that it couldn't be guaranteed unless I was willing to pay for it (ie five star). Otherwise, the greeting was on an 'as available' basis. Feeling: not very special.

OTOH, when I arrived at LAX last week on the 380, walked to T4, went through CK/Flagship elevator and through the TSA Pre check, I was able to go to the Flagship lounge, shower and grab a beverage before my colleagues got to the lounge.

Likes: Preboarding in BOS and often ORD - rarely elsewhere.

Dislikes: The inconsistency as pointed out above.

Global Services question above: I am somewhat jealous of some of the GS benefits. Two of the important ones: priority upgrades, the ability to upgrade award tix to the next class of service.

NOTE: 700th quality post (with all due bias)

My Two Cents
 

I welcome the additional benefits (AC Membership and EXP) and appreciate AA's efforts to enhance the CK value proposition. That being said, CK is not really a product, or in the very least, is a very unusual product. With AA's relatively recent push to develop and grow revenue derived through Five Star Service, much of the 'at airport' services for Concierge Key members have been diluted and are now being offered to non-CK members (and indeed, the staffing for both CK and FSS are in common) for a fee. It is likely in part due to this that AA has elected to improve the benefits extended to CKs.

As for those concerned about flooding AAdvantage with EXPs... I do not agree those that argue the extension of EXP to CKs will further dilute EXP value and increase competition for benefits (e.g. upgrades) — due largely to the simple fact that the number of CKs is relatively small and the majority of us already have EXP and AC Memberships. Surely the DEQMs and other like promotions have added more EXPs to the ranks than rewarding AA's top revenue generators and other high profile pax ever will.

Top revenue generators would have already been EXP. @:-)

The problem is that not all CK members are top revenue generators (at least on an individual basis).

CK Creds
 

Just came in the mail today. Just one CK card, no separate AC card.

Guess its linked to your AA num.