Dec 18, 2015, 12:53 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
American Airlines ConciergeKeySM / "CK" Program (by invitation only)
(Includes Executive Platinum status and Admirals Club membership)
NOTE: For questions such as "How can I get Concierge Key?" or "This is my spend: will I get CK?" Please refer to the How do I make / making AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK?thread
Also see AA Concierge Key invitations / renewal for 2019 status (out early 12/2018).
13 Apr 2020: AAdvantage extends CK status is extended automatically until Jan 31, 2022.
"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)
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).
Services provided include airport escorts and 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.
ConciergeKey is now a distinct elite tier, above Executive Platinum. ConciergeKey benefits include 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.
CK members have access to Flagship Check-in on any flight, and CK will have Flagship Lounge access when flying a OneWorld airline.
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 will board 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
Please: do respect members' privacy by refraining from asking for overly personal information and details relating to ConciergeKey membership or nomination. If your question receives no response, consider the member chooses not to reply, as is his/her right.
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 18 Aug 2019 by ikwia to reflect CK being a distinct elite tier and to clarify the FL access requirement
Updated 25 Jul 2017 by JDiver
(Includes Executive Platinum status and Admirals Club membership)
NOTE: For questions such as "How can I get Concierge Key?" or "This is my spend: will I get CK?" Please refer to the How do I make / making AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK?thread
Also see AA Concierge Key invitations / renewal for 2019 status (out early 12/2018).
13 Apr 2020: AAdvantage extends CK status is extended automatically until Jan 31, 2022.
"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)
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).
Services provided include airport escorts and 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.
ConciergeKey is now a distinct elite tier, above Executive Platinum. ConciergeKey benefits include 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.
CK members have access to Flagship Check-in on any flight, and CK will have Flagship Lounge access when flying a OneWorld airline.
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 will board 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
Please: do respect members' privacy by refraining from asking for overly personal information and details relating to ConciergeKey membership or nomination. If your question receives no response, consider the member chooses not to reply, as is his/her right.
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 18 Aug 2019 by ikwia to reflect CK being a distinct elite tier and to clarify the FL access requirement
Updated 25 Jul 2017 by JDiver
AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK members lounge (master thread)
Aug 29, 2019, 6:39 am
#436
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,042
For the 150k EQM (and 200, 250) rewards, is there any compelling reason for a CK to take the 2 SWU's versus the 40,000 miles?
I can't think of any reason why the miles aren't the better selection. The most expensive miles + copay is 25,000 miles, and since CK's don't pay the copay, seems like a far better deal. Plus since SWU's expire and can't always be used, the miles seem more useful.
And SWU's and miles upgrades have the same priority, right?
Thoughts?
I can't think of any reason why the miles aren't the better selection. The most expensive miles + copay is 25,000 miles, and since CK's don't pay the copay, seems like a far better deal. Plus since SWU's expire and can't always be used, the miles seem more useful.
And SWU's and miles upgrades have the same priority, right?
Thoughts?
Aug 29, 2019, 4:30 pm
#437
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,531
Anyone else notice that the CK line now barrages callers with automated questions? True, a quick hit of '0' gets you to a human, but I don't recall when the change occurred. Today it asked me if I was calling about my upgrade status for an upcoming flight.
There was no option of "to reach the JFK Flagship Lounge to enquire about last call at Flagship Dining, hit X".
Jamie
There was no option of "to reach the JFK Flagship Lounge to enquire about last call at Flagship Dining, hit X".
Jamie
Aug 29, 2019, 8:06 pm
#438
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 820
I just got the 150k today and thinking of taking the miles
this time, as I am sitting on 13 SWUs. Don't need to decide right away.
Aug 29, 2019, 9:31 pm
#439
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sunny SoCal
Programs: AA CK - 3MM, Bonvoy Lfe Titanium
Posts: 86
My co-worker is in that camp but out of LAX I have a few 77W options (1 extra in the summer). After hitting 260k+ last week, I'm at 9 for 9 going from J to F on the 77W with 1 more chance coming late next week. If they do not open the 300k target again this year, I will probably run out and have to move to miles.
Sep 9, 2019, 5:20 am
#440
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,262
I suspect I know the answer, but does the CK desk have any leeway on MCT? MCT at JFK D:I is 75 minutes. I can book a 61 minute connection RDU-JFK-HKG. If I don't book this, I'll be forced to fly another carrier due to timing. I'll be in first on the domestic leg so in theory would have no issues making the connection under normal circumstances.
Sep 9, 2019, 10:55 am
#441
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,531
I suspect I know the answer, but does the CK desk have any leeway on MCT? MCT at JFK D:I is 75 minutes. I can book a 61 minute connection RDU-JFK-HKG. If I don't book this, I'll be forced to fly another carrier due to timing. I'll be in first on the domestic leg so in theory would have no issues making the connection under normal circumstances.
2. You can book as 2 separate tickets, but that's risky and may negate your ability to achieve the CX check-in deadline (they offer OLCI but still require you to retrieve BP @ JFK). Similarly, booking the RDULGA only buys you another 20 minutes or so (if memory serves).
3. Simple solution - come in night before and stay at the TWA hotel. It's a fabulous facility and you'll also buy lounge time the next morn before your CX departure.
The issue I run into on first-flights-out, is if the inbound crew arrived late the night before and is subject to mandatory rest. Sure, your plane is in place, but the crew isn't hence you take a delay. Happens at HPN quite often, across all carriers.
Good luck - Jamie
Sep 11, 2019, 7:56 pm
#442
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 9
I suspect I know the answer, but does the CK desk have any leeway on MCT? MCT at JFK D:I is 75 minutes. I can book a 61 minute connection RDU-JFK-HKG. If I don't book this, I'll be forced to fly another carrier due to timing. I'll be in first on the domestic leg so in theory would have no issues making the connection under normal circumstances.
My LHR experience was DFW-LHR arriving 6:20. LHR-ARN departed 7:15. So 55 minutes difference and not bookable except as separate tickets. They took me off the plane at the jetway and drove me to T5. Security is very light at that time of day and walked right on my flight to Sweden. Saved me 3-4 hours waiting for that next bank of flights.
Sep 12, 2019, 6:31 am
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,742
I've read that high value EXPs are sometimes invited to CK. Is that true? Anyone have any idea what might be considered sufficiently high in terms of EQMs and EQDs?
Sep 12, 2019, 8:45 am
#445
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,437
AA Concierge Key invitations / renewal for 2019 status (out early 12/2018)
AA Concierge Key invitations / renewal for 2019-20 status (out early 12/2019)
Oct 30, 2019, 6:00 pm
#446
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA CK
Posts: 85
Oct 30, 2019, 8:29 pm
#447
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 385
Like others, I certainly received two additional SWUs when I made it in the summer. To satisfy my curiosity, I went back and looked at the welcome email, the ck welcome website and the ck site you need to log in to access and there is no mention of two additional SWUs. It’s very strange that they are playing so coy with you on this.
Oct 31, 2019, 11:14 am
#448
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sunny SoCal
Programs: AA CK - 3MM, Bonvoy Lfe Titanium
Posts: 86
This year was my first back traveling in 6 years and first to CK so that may have an effect here but I received 2 for CK when it was awarded to me in May.
4 - EP in March
2 - 150k in April
2 - CK in May
2 - 200k in June
2 - 250k in August
? - 300k next week but unfortunately no reward for that!
Maybe it is a one time, first time award for getting CK but does not apply to renewal?
Oct 31, 2019, 4:34 pm
#449
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Oct 31, 2019, 5:41 pm
#450
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,262
Another confirming first time CK but unknown for renewal.
This year was my first back traveling in 6 years and first to CK so that may have an effect here but I received 2 for CK when it was awarded to me in May.
4 - EP in March
2 - 150k in April
2 - CK in May
2 - 200k in June
2 - 250k in August
? - 300k next week but unfortunately no reward for that!
Maybe it is a one time, first time award for getting CK but does not apply to renewal?
This year was my first back traveling in 6 years and first to CK so that may have an effect here but I received 2 for CK when it was awarded to me in May.
4 - EP in March
2 - 150k in April
2 - CK in May
2 - 200k in June
2 - 250k in August
? - 300k next week but unfortunately no reward for that!
Maybe it is a one time, first time award for getting CK but does not apply to renewal?
