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
Dec 23, 2017, 10:38 pm
#166
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Amb Elite & LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,230
I've posted this else where, but my business partner was invited to CK out of DFW. At the meet and greet for CK where Doug Parker attended he asked about the criteria. As expected no details where given, but my partner spent $34k out of DFW with primarily last minute bookings at high fares. He was barely on the edge of qualifying for EXP since his flight were booked in Y, at high fares, but from DFW you don't get high mileage if your are flying domestic (which all of his flights were). He was told that the dollar amount specific to your home airport (my speculation is that if you are based in London AA would expect you to be paying for a lot of international fares so would have a higher dollar qualifying amount).
He has zero influence on travel policies or contracts at our company and was invited based on his travel (i.e. the invite to CK came out of the blue). At the time he was invited he was a low level executive in our company so not even visible to external companies as a key employee.
I realize many will discount this as second had info, but we do discuss this a lot as I fly a lot of low fares to LAX (primarily paid $250-$350 for flights for 3 years) and he is amazed at how low my airfares are Unless they make CK's sign some sort of agreement to never disclose what they spend, I have no reason to doubt his $34k spend number.
ETA: company policy is to book coach and I've been on frequent flights where we were both on the ug list.
He has zero influence on travel policies or contracts at our company and was invited based on his travel (i.e. the invite to CK came out of the blue). At the time he was invited he was a low level executive in our company so not even visible to external companies as a key employee.
I realize many will discount this as second had info, but we do discuss this a lot as I fly a lot of low fares to LAX (primarily paid $250-$350 for flights for 3 years) and he is amazed at how low my airfares are Unless they make CK's sign some sort of agreement to never disclose what they spend, I have no reason to doubt his $34k spend number.
ETA: company policy is to book coach and I've been on frequent flights where we were both on the ug list.
Last edited by deac83; Dec 23, 2017 at 11:12 pm
Feb 1, 2018, 11:35 am
#167
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 414
I'm looking to collect the whole set: I've been GS on UA, 360 on DL, and now it looks like I have to switch to AA for my travel.
My spend is heavy international J/D, usually $120-$150k per year. However, AA stopped their metal to LHR and switch to c/s with BA. So, ~$70-100k in tickets on AA tickets (001) but c/s BA metal. Has anyone here qualified when biased towards non-AA metal? On UA, I qualified with most of my flying on LH metal but UA tickets (016). On DL, I was exclusively DL metal.
I can fight the system and go back to UA, but being able to convert to AA means less fighting and fewer connections.
My spend is heavy international J/D, usually $120-$150k per year. However, AA stopped their metal to LHR and switch to c/s with BA. So, ~$70-100k in tickets on AA tickets (001) but c/s BA metal. Has anyone here qualified when biased towards non-AA metal? On UA, I qualified with most of my flying on LH metal but UA tickets (016). On DL, I was exclusively DL metal.
I can fight the system and go back to UA, but being able to convert to AA means less fighting and fewer connections.
Feb 1, 2018, 12:04 pm
#168
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Feb 1, 2018, 12:15 pm
#169
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 414
Feb 1, 2018, 2:48 pm
#170
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
I'm looking to collect the whole set: I've been GS on UA, 360 on DL, and now it looks like I have to switch to AA for my travel.
My spend is heavy international J/D, usually $120-$150k per year. However, AA stopped their metal to LHR and switch to c/s with BA. So, ~$70-100k in tickets on AA tickets (001) but c/s BA metal. Has anyone here qualified when biased towards non-AA metal? On UA, I qualified with most of my flying on LH metal but UA tickets (016). On DL, I was exclusively DL metal.
I can fight the system and go back to UA, but being able to convert to AA means less fighting and fewer connections.
My spend is heavy international J/D, usually $120-$150k per year. However, AA stopped their metal to LHR and switch to c/s with BA. So, ~$70-100k in tickets on AA tickets (001) but c/s BA metal. Has anyone here qualified when biased towards non-AA metal? On UA, I qualified with most of my flying on LH metal but UA tickets (016). On DL, I was exclusively DL metal.
I can fight the system and go back to UA, but being able to convert to AA means less fighting and fewer connections.
Feb 1, 2018, 6:42 pm
#171
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,731
A friend of mine works for a huge petroleum company here in the USA. He flies across the North Atlantic frequently for meetings/projects in Europe on AA in business class.
AA tickets that regularly sell for US$7000 are sold to him through his company contract at $3000, even at last minute.
I'm sure that some if his company's travel decision makers are well rewarded.
Feb 2, 2018, 5:58 am
#172
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 414
Apr 29, 2018, 4:42 pm
#173
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: AA CK; Marriott Plat
Posts: 84
Does anyone know if spend on AA ticketed and marketed codeshares (i.e. AA flight number but operated by BA/AY/IB) are included in the spend that CK eligibility is evaluated on? Tried to search the thread but had a hard time finding an answer.
May 25, 2018, 12:37 pm
#174
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 414
Two CKs have given me different answers; not sure if anyone knows *for sure*. As a comparison point (if this even matters), cx spend is considered for UA GS.
Jun 6, 2018, 7:24 am
#176
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: 11,980
Damn that blows. You would think with that much EQD they would at least renew you. I guess it really is a profitability metric as that many EQMs for that EQD is not so profitable in the world of CK. Regardless, if you were an existing CK with that spend, I would think they would keep you at CK as they now risk you moving much of your business elsewhere. Sorry that happened to you, I couldn't imagine what my reaction would be if I was in the same boat with that amount of spend...
Jun 6, 2018, 8:09 am
#178
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
I wonder if we could figure out some sort of metric where someone is most likely to be CK. I will be at about 50 EQD at the end of the year with 250 EQM, but I am wondering if that is not enough. I would rather try and get top level elite on United than keep going with AA unless they keep giving me SWUs beyond 200k. Diamond Medallion at Delta is not that great, upgrades are more often than not impossible despite friendly service.
Otherwise, you'll just continue to be a part of AA's overachieving EXP group, like I was last year.
Jun 6, 2018, 11:16 am
#179
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 246
40k spend
I think I read on this post or a related post that people with 40k spend in 2017 made it in 2018. There may have been other factors though such as fare posted. I had 30k spend last year all on first domestic or business international (excluding short flights where domestic first was not available) and 130k EQD. Didn't expect CK and didn't get it but all that AA flying was done by June so I switched to UA to get 1K as well. In the end, it is more convenient for me to fly a mix of AA and UA depending on the destination as I am based out of Washington DC.
Jun 6, 2018, 3:27 pm
#180
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
As noted in the thread from last year's elite qualifying period, $50K EQD was enough for some to get CK, but not enough for others. It's all about the "quality" of that $50K. E.g. mostly if it's spent on AA metal, and what kind of fare types.
Otherwise, you'll just continue to be a part of AA's overachieving EXP group, like I was last year.
Otherwise, you'll just continue to be a part of AA's overachieving EXP group, like I was last year.