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 24, 2021, 8:10 pm
#331
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 396
it’s variable and situational. I am DFW-based and have been CK for several years (pre-extensions)and never spent more than 40k per year. I know a few others that are also well under 50k per year and have received regular renewals. High $/segment is likely a big factor.
Last edited by davecraze; Dec 25, 2021 at 7:04 pm
Dec 25, 2021, 6:01 pm
#332
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: CLT
Programs: US CP, SPG Gold
Posts: 593
Dec 26, 2021, 6:34 am
#333
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 book tickets and change flights frequently (very frequently) and once AA eliminated change fees that made AAirpass much less desirable to me. That and the changes they made to the program regarding how they deduct flights from your account makes this untenable for me. I can see where AAirpass may be advantageous for international flyers that purchase last minute premium cabin fares but for anyone flying domestic or buying tickets in advance it's absolutely the most expensive travel you can prepay for on American.
Given the changes to the program last year it seems like AA is trying to kill the program.
However, if you have money to burn and are jonesing for CK, $40K is not a bad deal I guess....
YMMV
Dec 26, 2021, 12:26 pm
#334
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 396
The AAirpass folks came after me in after I re-qualified EXP in mid April. I ran the numbers and it's amazing to me that anyone that flys domestic actually goes for this.
I book tickets and change flights frequently (very frequently) and once AA eliminated change fees that made AAirpass much less desirable to me. That and the changes they made to the program regarding how they deduct flights from your account makes this untenable for me. I can see where AAirpass may be advantageous for international flyers that purchase last minute premium cabin fares but for anyone flying domestic or buying tickets in advance it's absolutely the most expensive travel you can prepay for on American.
Given the changes to the program last year it seems like AA is trying to kill the program.
However, if you have money to burn and are jonesing for CK, $40K is not a bad deal I guess....
YMMV
I book tickets and change flights frequently (very frequently) and once AA eliminated change fees that made AAirpass much less desirable to me. That and the changes they made to the program regarding how they deduct flights from your account makes this untenable for me. I can see where AAirpass may be advantageous for international flyers that purchase last minute premium cabin fares but for anyone flying domestic or buying tickets in advance it's absolutely the most expensive travel you can prepay for on American.
Given the changes to the program last year it seems like AA is trying to kill the program.
However, if you have money to burn and are jonesing for CK, $40K is not a bad deal I guess....
YMMV
the above has also been my experience.
My company recently got AirPass last year (it gave me automatic EXP, but I already had CK). All of my flying is transatlantic in J on AA metal and I cannot recall a single time where the AirPass fare was less than just booking normally.
If you are spending regularly 10k plus for a single RT, AirPass will save you some money. Around 7k-8k or so it becomes a wash and less than that, AirPass is usually more expensive. I am sure the breakpoints may be different for a big AA corporate customer, but that is what I have observed.
Dec 26, 2021, 2:27 pm
#335
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
The AAirpass folks came after me in after I re-qualified EXP in mid April. I ran the numbers and it's amazing to me that anyone that flys domestic actually goes for this.
I book tickets and change flights frequently (very frequently) and once AA eliminated change fees that made AAirpass much less desirable to me. That and the changes they made to the program regarding how they deduct flights from your account makes this untenable for me. I can see where AAirpass may be advantageous for international flyers that purchase last minute premium cabin fares but for anyone flying domestic or buying tickets in advance it's absolutely the most expensive travel you can prepay for on American.
Given the changes to the program last year it seems like AA is trying to kill the program.
However, if you have money to burn and are jonesing for CK, $40K is not a bad deal I guess....
YMMV
I book tickets and change flights frequently (very frequently) and once AA eliminated change fees that made AAirpass much less desirable to me. That and the changes they made to the program regarding how they deduct flights from your account makes this untenable for me. I can see where AAirpass may be advantageous for international flyers that purchase last minute premium cabin fares but for anyone flying domestic or buying tickets in advance it's absolutely the most expensive travel you can prepay for on American.
Given the changes to the program last year it seems like AA is trying to kill the program.
However, if you have money to burn and are jonesing for CK, $40K is not a bad deal I guess....
YMMV
However, I can almost always find better discounted international tickets on AA.com, compared to the Airpass INTL fares. Since Airpass fares are distance based, the best deals, to me anyway, are slightly longer than average midcon flights that are close to the next distance band (referencing the Airpass pricing multiplier chart).
I’ve literally saved thousands of dollars on some last minute domestic tickets that were down to full J when I booked, but that savings would likely be cancelled out if you’re using Airpass for all your tickets (like people who buy it to get CK), because the prices are certainly higher on most routes.
One way or the other, though, Airpass or not, you’ll pay a lot to earn CK via spend.
Dec 26, 2021, 4:38 pm
#336
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Dec 26, 2021, 4:52 pm
#337
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Interesting. I’ve actually had mostly the opposite experience — I often book very last minute, and I’ve found significant discounts with Airpass domestically when flights are down to 1 or 2 premium cabin seats, especially when the discount J/F fare buckets (A, C, D, I, R) are already zeroed out.
However, I can almost always find better discounted international tickets on AA.com, compared to the Airpass INTL fares. Since Airpass fares are distance based, the best deals, to me anyway, are slightly longer than average midcon flights that are close to the next distance band (referencing the Airpass pricing multiplier chart).
I’ve literally saved thousands of dollars on some last minute domestic tickets that were down to full J when I booked, but that savings would likely be cancelled out if you’re using Airpass for all your tickets (like people who buy it to get CK), because the prices are certainly higher on most routes.
One way or the other, though, Airpass or not, you’ll pay a lot to earn CK via spend.
However, I can almost always find better discounted international tickets on AA.com, compared to the Airpass INTL fares. Since Airpass fares are distance based, the best deals, to me anyway, are slightly longer than average midcon flights that are close to the next distance band (referencing the Airpass pricing multiplier chart).
I’ve literally saved thousands of dollars on some last minute domestic tickets that were down to full J when I booked, but that savings would likely be cancelled out if you’re using Airpass for all your tickets (like people who buy it to get CK), because the prices are certainly higher on most routes.
One way or the other, though, Airpass or not, you’ll pay a lot to earn CK via spend.
What really killed it for me was the change that they immediately deduct the cost of the ticket when you make the reservation, not when the ticket is flown as it used to be. And they don't release the funds back immediately (if you believe the folks on the AAirpass thread). So, if you make a reservation then hunt around and find a better routing and make another reservation you could end up tying up a lot of your available funds...
YMMV
Dec 26, 2021, 5:45 pm
#338
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
What really killed it for me was the change that they immediately deduct the cost of the ticket when you make the reservation, not when the ticket is flown as it used to be. And they don't release the funds back immediately (if you believe the folks on the AAirpass thread). So, if you make a reservation then hunt around and find a better routing and make another reservation you could end up tying up a lot of your available funds...
The issue is that some refunds process automatically (usually it works out when you cancel on the website yourself). If an agent cancels and rebooks you by creating a new reservation (since Airpass tickets technically can't be changed), it gets messy, and funds seem to go missing. There's definitely quite a bit that can be improved upon with the program.
Feb 20, 2022, 7:00 am
#339
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AA Ck, Delta DM, Marriott ambassador , Hertz President, National EE, Hilton Diamond ,
Posts: 132
Regarding the Airpass it is 60k. It completely depends on how you fly. For me it would be worth it. I fly flagship first a lot transcon and those tickets on average last second were around 2700k -3k. Airpass was 2100. Jfk-Mia last second get be north of 1k up front. On airpass it was in the 500 range. These are just a few numbers. It depends when you book, and what class to see if it’s worth it for you.
Jun 7, 2022, 3:10 pm
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,486
AA Concierge Key / ConciergeKey / CK members lounge (master thread)
Jun 7, 2022, 3:42 pm
#342
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,217
Or be responsible for booking travel for lots of people. An Administrative Assistant friend of mine who was the Travel Arranger for several high-level bank executives (who frequently booked F/J) had CK for several years even though he himself never traveled much.
Jul 29, 2022, 9:01 am
#343
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 396
https://viewfromthewing.com/new-way-...esides-flying/
And there it is folks - it's likely going to be at least 4 million non-flying LPs (alone) to qualify for CK. Also, by implication, for determining how much LPs on top of flying spend boosts your chances of CK qualification, it's likely around one penny(ish) per LP.
And there it is folks - it's likely going to be at least 4 million non-flying LPs (alone) to qualify for CK. Also, by implication, for determining how much LPs on top of flying spend boosts your chances of CK qualification, it's likely around one penny(ish) per LP.
Last edited by davecraze; Jul 29, 2022 at 9:43 am
Jul 29, 2022, 7:30 pm
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
https://viewfromthewing.com/new-way-...esides-flying/
And there it is folks - it's likely going to be at least 4 million non-flying LPs (alone) to qualify for CK. Also, by implication, for determining how much LPs on top of flying spend boosts your chances of CK qualification, it's likely around one penny(ish) per LP.
And there it is folks - it's likely going to be at least 4 million non-flying LPs (alone) to qualify for CK. Also, by implication, for determining how much LPs on top of flying spend boosts your chances of CK qualification, it's likely around one penny(ish) per LP.
By flying spend alone, theoretically the required spend for CK is 3-4x the EXP requirements ($18k -> $60k)
But for partner revenue alone, it seems like it's closer to 25x (200k -> 5M)
Jul 29, 2022, 10:42 pm
#345
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 396
The plot thickens - this was posted on the Facebook AA CK/EXP group - looks like some people have received CK from large transfers into AA points/RDMs????!????? - apologies to M.B.(the poster) from that group if he is also a member here at flyertalk:
"Ok so I manage several AA accounts for friends and relatives. One of them received an email from AA today saying he is Concierge Key through March of 23! Did he earn it by CC spend? Nope no AA branded card. Did he earn it via travel on AA? Nope not a single mile flown commercially on AA or OW. Does he control travel for a company? Nope. AAirpass? Nope. Transferred in about 600k Marriott points to his AAdvantage account? Yup, giving a trip to NZ to a couple of friends. Interesting times in the CK world. I wonder if I can just have them add 8 months to my status since he'll never use it!"
"Ok so I manage several AA accounts for friends and relatives. One of them received an email from AA today saying he is Concierge Key through March of 23! Did he earn it by CC spend? Nope no AA branded card. Did he earn it via travel on AA? Nope not a single mile flown commercially on AA or OW. Does he control travel for a company? Nope. AAirpass? Nope. Transferred in about 600k Marriott points to his AAdvantage account? Yup, giving a trip to NZ to a couple of friends. Interesting times in the CK world. I wonder if I can just have them add 8 months to my status since he'll never use it!"