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)
Feb 22, 2022, 5:06 am
#1366
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA Concierge Key, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diam
Posts: 510
My two kids (both 13) are flying with me and my wife to/from Europe for the first time ever next month. We are nonstop DFW to CDG going but CDG-LHR-DFW coming back. What is the best One World affiliated lounge at LHR that I can get all four of us into as a CK? I don't want anything with any "they should, but they may not" suspense or potential drama. If that ends up being simply the AA Flagship lounge, that's fine. Just want to know what the options are based on what is actually open these days. Thanks, forum friends.
Feb 22, 2022, 6:01 am
#1367
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
My two kids (both 13) are flying with me and my wife to/from Europe for the first time ever next month. We are nonstop DFW to CDG going but CDG-LHR-DFW coming back. What is the best One World affiliated lounge at LHR that I can get all four of us into as a CK? I don't want anything with any "they should, but they may not" suspense or potential drama. If that ends up being simply the AA Flagship lounge, that's fine. Just want to know what the options are based on what is actually open these days. Thanks, forum friends.
Your issue may be that at last check, the AA LHR T3 lounges (AC and First Class) were not open, and that's historically the only place you'd be able to bring in your family as a CK benefit.
If flying business, then you'd obviously have access to any of the OW lounges.
Feb 22, 2022, 6:03 am
#1368
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
The CX or QF lounge.. Personally, I love the CX lounge, specially the First class action. Not sure if First is defaulted for CK or if you have to be booked in First as well. I used it on my AA51 return yesterday and had lunch at the sit down "restaurant" before boarding. Very LEGIT.
Feb 22, 2022, 11:47 am
#1370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,974
!! Look forward to seeing everyone there.
Feb 23, 2022, 8:23 pm
#1372
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: DFW
Programs: AA ConciergeKey, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 367
Feb 23, 2022, 9:21 pm
#1373
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CLT
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 67
Heard interesting tidbit at CLT B lounge. After 20 minute wait in the line outside, I saw a section in back roped off as “reserved”.
I asked if CKs could use that area as seating was (unsurprisingly) sparse, and was told that it used to be for CKs, but AA decided to dedicate it for Five-Star service.
When getting in line, I was told (as others here have reported) that they used to save space for CKs, but there were “just too many of them”.
I really wonder how many at one time there could be? Since many of us aren’t flying often yet…normal times, maybe 2 - 3? Even a Thursday afternoon/evening… maybe 5 - 10 trying to use the lounge at any one time? Pre-COVID times, sure, there could be 4 or 5 of us on a single popular flight… but now?
Maybe I’m wrong and there are actually a ton at all times. Just seems they could do things (heck, even just bring back drink chits) for their CKs if they wanted. And regardless, limited lounge, not boarding first, no CK agent / poor communications - certainly none of these are the end of the world, but I do find AA’s apparent priorities interesting at their 2nd largest hub.
I asked if CKs could use that area as seating was (unsurprisingly) sparse, and was told that it used to be for CKs, but AA decided to dedicate it for Five-Star service.
When getting in line, I was told (as others here have reported) that they used to save space for CKs, but there were “just too many of them”.
I really wonder how many at one time there could be? Since many of us aren’t flying often yet…normal times, maybe 2 - 3? Even a Thursday afternoon/evening… maybe 5 - 10 trying to use the lounge at any one time? Pre-COVID times, sure, there could be 4 or 5 of us on a single popular flight… but now?
Maybe I’m wrong and there are actually a ton at all times. Just seems they could do things (heck, even just bring back drink chits) for their CKs if they wanted. And regardless, limited lounge, not boarding first, no CK agent / poor communications - certainly none of these are the end of the world, but I do find AA’s apparent priorities interesting at their 2nd largest hub.
Feb 25, 2022, 1:22 pm
#1374
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CLT
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 67
Quick follow-up to my above post...
Traveling home on the last flight out last night and there were weather issues delaying the inbound flight (yada yada, you've all been there) - point is, I got a call from a CK rep informing me that although my flight home was still very likely to depart, he had booked me on a back-up flight for the morning, just in case something went wrong.
This was a great reminder of the true value of CK.... no AA passengers have a better shot than us at making it home / minimizing the impact from disruptions
Traveling home on the last flight out last night and there were weather issues delaying the inbound flight (yada yada, you've all been there) - point is, I got a call from a CK rep informing me that although my flight home was still very likely to depart, he had booked me on a back-up flight for the morning, just in case something went wrong.
This was a great reminder of the true value of CK.... no AA passengers have a better shot than us at making it home / minimizing the impact from disruptions
Feb 25, 2022, 3:04 pm
#1375
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
Quick follow-up to my above post...
Traveling home on the last flight out last night and there were weather issues delaying the inbound flight (yada yada, you've all been there) - point is, I got a call from a CK rep informing me that although my flight home was still very likely to depart, he had booked me on a back-up flight for the morning, just in case something went wrong.
This was a great reminder of the true value of CK.... no AA passengers have a better shot than us at making it home / minimizing the impact from disruptions
Traveling home on the last flight out last night and there were weather issues delaying the inbound flight (yada yada, you've all been there) - point is, I got a call from a CK rep informing me that although my flight home was still very likely to depart, he had booked me on a back-up flight for the morning, just in case something went wrong.
This was a great reminder of the true value of CK.... no AA passengers have a better shot than us at making it home / minimizing the impact from disruptions
This is basically what CK is for. It's less about the pre boarding and lounges. It's more about 'get this passenger to their destination no matter what it takes'.
Mar 1, 2022, 9:42 am
#1376
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: DFW
Programs: AA ConciergeKey, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 367
Loyalty Points
Well folks, the program just rolled over. I dislike the UI and hate how you can't really track your EQDs anymore. Also, the only way I was able to view my Million Miler amount was to go into Activity. Granted, this is all from the mobile app not desktop, so that might be a different experience. In any event, I miss the old trackers...
Mar 1, 2022, 5:20 pm
#1378
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 394
Would be nice if AA would at least eventually officially tell us if, going forward, CK will be based on EQD or LP.
Yes, I know the CK gods work in mysterious ways, but I am not asking for specific criteria/requirements from them - just to know what is being tracked.
I could see “profitability” being a driver like under the old EQD regime or just now meaning the absolute amount of loyalty points you accumulate since AA gets paid in so many ways by so many partners.
Yes, I know the CK gods work in mysterious ways, but I am not asking for specific criteria/requirements from them - just to know what is being tracked.
I could see “profitability” being a driver like under the old EQD regime or just now meaning the absolute amount of loyalty points you accumulate since AA gets paid in so many ways by so many partners.
Mar 1, 2022, 5:31 pm
#1379
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
Would be nice if AA would at least eventually officially tell us if, going forward, CK will be based on EQD or LP.
Yes, I know the CK gods work in mysterious ways, but I am not asking for specific criteria/requirements from them - just to know what is being tracked.
I could see “profitability” being a driver like under the old EQD regime or just now meaning the absolute amount of loyalty points you accumulate since AA gets paid in so many ways by so many partners.
Yes, I know the CK gods work in mysterious ways, but I am not asking for specific criteria/requirements from them - just to know what is being tracked.
I could see “profitability” being a driver like under the old EQD regime or just now meaning the absolute amount of loyalty points you accumulate since AA gets paid in so many ways by so many partners.
Mar 1, 2022, 6:52 pm
#1380
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,974
Would be nice if AA would at least eventually officially tell us if, going forward, CK will be based on EQD or LP.
Yes, I know the CK gods work in mysterious ways, but I am not asking for specific criteria/requirements from them - just to know what is being tracked.
I could see “profitability” being a driver like under the old EQD regime or just now meaning the absolute amount of loyalty points you accumulate since AA gets paid in so many ways by so many partners.
Yes, I know the CK gods work in mysterious ways, but I am not asking for specific criteria/requirements from them - just to know what is being tracked.
I could see “profitability” being a driver like under the old EQD regime or just now meaning the absolute amount of loyalty points you accumulate since AA gets paid in so many ways by so many partners.
Make it easier to understand how to do more business with your company and be rewarded, and we will. Until then, DL seems better especially since LPs on partners seem difficult to understand since we don't know (without EQDs) if they are treated as inferior to flying with (inferior) AA metal.