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
Sep 24, 2017, 4:45 pm
#136
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
Sep 24, 2017, 9:50 pm
#138
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Slightly off topic, but as it has been brought up: Sometimes that applies to family members. A relative is the widow of a high tier exec at UA, and she has a lifetime pass to travel anywhere in the UA system in First Class (or lower if F is not offered on the desired travel) and take a companion as well.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:41 am
#140
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: BA GGL; AA LT Gold; AS 100K; DL MM GM; Hyatt G*list, Hilton Diamond; SQ silver
Posts: 3,806
I saw on a computer screen that AA is sending targeted CK status renewal offers to CK members whom they have determine to likely fall slightly short of the (unpublished) threshold for CK renewal.
I did not see much of the rest of the screen except it had EQD numbers on it.
The fact that the criteria are unpublished was emphasized in the first paragraph.
I did not see much of the rest of the screen except it had EQD numbers on it.
The fact that the criteria are unpublished was emphasized in the first paragraph.
Oct 10, 2017, 9:40 am
#141
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,158
Oh
I’m CK but didn’t get this email and flying well under my numbers last year. How do you get dumped by CK??? An email? Or come January you just change to EXP?
the end is nigh
the end is nigh
Oct 10, 2017, 10:38 am
#142
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
Oct 10, 2017, 12:06 pm
#143
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
When I was dumped, I received an email hoping that I enjoyed my year in Ck and hoped that I understood that it couldn't be offered to me. The availability was limited and primarily for decision makers (for travel) and others. The email came on March 2. However, I found out on March 1 when I attempted to enter the SFO AC with a client and was denied admittance as my membership expired (which was free with CK).
Oct 11, 2017, 12:18 pm
#145
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
Dec 16, 2017, 3:52 pm
#146
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA CK, SPG Plt, Marriott Plt, Hyatt Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 443
CK worth $6900?
Well, I got an email in October with an offer to extend my CK another year by spending 14k EQDs between Oct1 and Dec 30. Normally, that would have been pretty easy as I am on the road every week. However, in September I had some surgery and couldn't travel for 12 weeks. Between Thanksgiving and today I am halfway to my 14k spend. I am a debating doing a "EQD Run" by taking a DFW-LHR in J before the end of the year.
Most of my travel is domestic, but I am usually north of 50K EQD.
Would any of you spend $7k of your own money for CK? Am I crazy for even considering it?
Most of my travel is domestic, but I am usually north of 50K EQD.
Would any of you spend $7k of your own money for CK? Am I crazy for even considering it?
Dec 16, 2017, 4:01 pm
#147
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 618
As a multi-year EXP (but never CK), it seems like $7k would not be worth it for the bump up to CK. Most likely your spend would already have you on the high-end of EQDs for upgrade purposes.
Dec 16, 2017, 6:57 pm
#148
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,314
Well, I got an email in October with an offer to extend my CK another year by spending 14k EQDs between Oct1 and Dec 30. Normally, that would have been pretty easy as I am on the road every week. However, in September I had some surgery and couldn't travel for 12 weeks. Between Thanksgiving and today I am halfway to my 14k spend. I am a debating doing a "EQD Run" by taking a DFW-LHR in J before the end of the year.
Most of my travel is domestic, but I am usually north of 50K EQD.
Would any of you spend $7k of your own money for CK? Am I crazy for even considering it?
Most of my travel is domestic, but I am usually north of 50K EQD.
Would any of you spend $7k of your own money for CK? Am I crazy for even considering it?
Last edited by LovePrunes; Dec 17, 2017 at 7:03 am
Dec 17, 2017, 6:44 am
#149
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
Dec 17, 2017, 10:49 am
#150
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP sad former CK, Bonvoy LT Plat, BAEC Gold, VS, former UA, UA no longer, never, ever, QF
Posts: 228
Whine with my cheese....
End of year north of 370k EQM, 70 EQD. Did not get renewed.... Asked, nope. Loss of love. Makes me wonder a bit how/why I got jilted. Also makes me think that once I cross EXP in 2018 again, what else is there? Whats the point of keeping keeping on? Spread the love elsewhere after EXP threshold is crossed in 2018?