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 5, 2019, 7:04 am
#317
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 387
Dec 9, 2019, 1:35 am
#319
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 414
$81k / 230k EQM / 60 EQS when I got notified on the 5th. Heavy BA BOS-LHR on AA c/s.
I have officially completed the FlyerTalk triple crown: GS on UA, 360 on DL, and now CK.
I have officially completed the FlyerTalk triple crown: GS on UA, 360 on DL, and now CK.
Dec 9, 2019, 12:27 pm
#321
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 22, 2021, 4:59 pm
#323
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,388
Apologies for bumping this old thread
Is AA still "selling" CK status? Pre-pandemic, I believe the cost was a $40K Airpass. Curious to find out if it has gone down.
Oct 23, 2021, 12:28 pm
#324
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
I suspect it'll be back at $60K ish once this is over...
Dec 21, 2021, 12:09 am
#325
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 5
Looking for Concierge Key....
New here but long time 15 year flyer. I have continually achieved EXP status but am in the market for the allusive Concierge Key status. I am assuming most of the concierge keys are usually affiliated with large companies and don't typically fly as much as I do but maybe I am wrong. What is the chance that they give me a look for the CK status?
Current numbers for the year...
155+ EQS's (+75 more on SW not that it matters for AA)
$50,000+ EQD's
300,000+ EQM's
Current numbers for the year...
155+ EQS's (+75 more on SW not that it matters for AA)
$50,000+ EQD's
300,000+ EQM's
Last edited by V_loci_T; Dec 21, 2021 at 1:22 am Reason: Changing Title
Dec 21, 2021, 12:22 am
#326
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
IIRC from previous discussions in the before times, while nobody really knows what gets you CK, the going thought was $$$ per segment. Yours comes out to about $322 per segment, which is relatively low for CK purposes.
Dec 21, 2021, 12:25 am
#327
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 5
Thank you for the reply. I'm new here so didn't really think about that. I always read it was usually given to people that spent $50k+ a year. Good to know that they may look at it a different way.
Dec 21, 2021, 12:28 am
#328
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,968
How do I make / making AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK? (master thread - FlyerTalk Forums
and
AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK members lounge (master thread) - FlyerTalk Forums
Welcome to the forum!
Dec 24, 2021, 6:45 pm
#330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,388