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
Oct 5, 2019, 7:52 am
#273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
Oct 6, 2019, 12:11 am
#274
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 6, 2019, 7:22 am
#275
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,256
Oct 16, 2019, 1:17 pm
#276
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AAdvantage Concierge Key
Posts: 11
Very surprised by some of the reported high $$$ EQS claims. I see a lot of CKs out of LGA, ORD and DFW that don’t hit anywhere close to the numbers. Im a 3 yr EXP with 57 EQD 228k EQM 92 EQS. Still hoping CK status comes through.
Oct 16, 2019, 6:39 pm
#277
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,348
This seems like a reasonable place to post this query...
Can anyone think of a scenario, even if bizarre/unreasonable, where having $100K in annual spend wouldn't merit qualification for CK in your opinion? (note that I am not asking about AA's criteria...I'm asking for your opinion)
Can anyone think of a scenario, even if bizarre/unreasonable, where having $100K in annual spend wouldn't merit qualification for CK in your opinion? (note that I am not asking about AA's criteria...I'm asking for your opinion)
Oct 16, 2019, 6:42 pm
#278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,256
This seems like a reasonable place to post this query...
Can anyone think of a scenario, even if bizarre/unreasonable, where having $100K in annual spend wouldn't merit qualification for CK in your opinion? (note that I am not asking about AA's criteria...I'm asking for your opinion)
Can anyone think of a scenario, even if bizarre/unreasonable, where having $100K in annual spend wouldn't merit qualification for CK in your opinion? (note that I am not asking about AA's criteria...I'm asking for your opinion)
Oct 16, 2019, 6:52 pm
#279
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,348
Antarius' post made me consider the difference between profit and profit margin more strongly than I had previously done.
Oct 16, 2019, 7:23 pm
#280
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
I would say there is hope. Your numbers are close to what mine were (on a 12-month rolling basis) when I was award the CK status in April. I continue to maintain those numbers at around that same level and hoping my CK status will be renewed for next year.
Oct 16, 2019, 7:43 pm
#281
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sunny SoCal
Programs: AA CK - 3MM, Bonvoy Lfe Titanium
Posts: 86
This seems like a reasonable place to post this query...
Can anyone think of a scenario, even if bizarre/unreasonable, where having $100K in annual spend wouldn't merit qualification for CK in your opinion? (note that I am not asking about AA's criteria...I'm asking for your opinion)
Can anyone think of a scenario, even if bizarre/unreasonable, where having $100K in annual spend wouldn't merit qualification for CK in your opinion? (note that I am not asking about AA's criteria...I'm asking for your opinion)
My opinion is you would only miss out at that level if you were in a market that had quite a few people at equal or higher levels and/or a high percentage of non-revenue based CKs.
Oct 17, 2019, 5:14 am
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
You have $100k EQD...$1k from taking the family to Orlando on AA in coach, the other $99k from int'l J/F flights on QR, CX, etc.
Oct 17, 2019, 6:57 am
#283
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
As the criteria can be a challenge in some cases (so and so got it with similar spend/travel patterns but not me), I find that it’s easier to focus on getting the C first and then the K.
Oct 17, 2019, 8:55 am
#284
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,348
Yeah, this is a good example, which is obvious in retrospect but that I hadn’t considered. However, I believe that JV revenue (e.g., from flights on BA metal) would count as profitable to AA.
Oct 17, 2019, 9:42 am
#285
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
Too low. I hit the 100K EQM several months ago on almost all paid (albeit discounted) F. I'm nowhere close to CK and never will be.