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
Nov 4, 2019, 5:06 pm
#301
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
Nov 5, 2019, 5:18 pm
#303
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
Nov 6, 2019, 5:08 am
#304
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA-CK, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,447
Nov 19, 2019, 11:15 am
#305
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CLT
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 66
Perhaps because MIA is more of an international launching point for CKs than Boston?
Nov 19, 2019, 11:20 am
#306
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CLT
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 66
To all you CK pros out there - For making CK, since it’s profitability based, wouldn’t the most logical metric be PQD per BIS mile? Segments, EQM etc aren’t necessarily indicative of profitability.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Nov 19, 2019, 2:50 pm
#307
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 385
Has this august and learned forum compiled any unofficial overview of data points of dollars per butt in seat miles, or dollars per segment that likely would qualify one for CK? Would 50 cents per butt in seat mile and over 60k total eqd be close? 2000 dollars per segment and 60k be close?
yes many variables like whether you are fortress hub based would apply but do we even think we know the rough baseline from member data points?
yes many variables like whether you are fortress hub based would apply but do we even think we know the rough baseline from member data points?
Nov 19, 2019, 3:30 pm
#308
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sunny SoCal
Programs: AA CK - 3MM, Bonvoy Lfe Titanium
Posts: 86
My opinion is that if you are below $50k you have little chance earning it the hard way and if you are over $75k you have a pretty good chance but still not guaranteed. Everything else in the middle is just a guess and I have not seen any clear metric that explains why some get it and some don't within that range. I think the following all impact it, but there is no clear matrix outside of AA and no trends seen in member postings:
Home Market (rank within market and total CKs given in a market)
Total $$ Spent
$$ on AA Metal
$$/BIS, $$/segmemt and etc
Historical YOY (Key metrics)
Maybe how often you connect domestically?
FYI, I am at about $1/BIS and average about $2,000/segment, but half of those segments are AA over the water and the other half are short partner connections on the Europe and Asia ends so my AA metal only value is much higher.
I am assuming my $120k+ this year is in but I will not count on it until I get the renewal email. I don't travel more just to get it but do enjoy some of the perks it gives both for personal and business.
Good luck to everyone who is close.
Home Market (rank within market and total CKs given in a market)
Total $$ Spent
$$ on AA Metal
$$/BIS, $$/segmemt and etc
Historical YOY (Key metrics)
Maybe how often you connect domestically?
FYI, I am at about $1/BIS and average about $2,000/segment, but half of those segments are AA over the water and the other half are short partner connections on the Europe and Asia ends so my AA metal only value is much higher.
I am assuming my $120k+ this year is in but I will not count on it until I get the renewal email. I don't travel more just to get it but do enjoy some of the perks it gives both for personal and business.
Good luck to everyone who is close.
Nov 19, 2019, 5:43 pm
#309
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
Nov 25, 2019, 12:29 pm
#310
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: DFW
Programs: AA ConciergeKey, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 357
First Wave Invites Coming Soon
Hey all. I believe next week should be first wave of YE invites for 2020 CK. Would be curious as to who has what metrics and where folks are based when they see the re-invite or net new.
Nov 25, 2019, 1:11 pm
#311
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Dec 5, 2019, 4:11 am
#314
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Sunny SoCal
Programs: AA CK - 3MM, Bonvoy Lfe Titanium
Posts: 86