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
Jul 20, 2017, 11:43 pm
#76
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Titanium Elite, National Executive Elite
Posts: 326
I would be very surprised if you didn't get it this year based on that spend. Probably why you were selected for the challenge (though, I am somewhat against a challenge for CK, but that's another story)
Where are you based? I seems that CK is offered more to those on the coast hubs (NYC, MIA,LAX) vs. the central hubs (DFW, ORD). Not sure if that is true but many have mentioned it.
Where are you based? I seems that CK is offered more to those on the coast hubs (NYC, MIA,LAX) vs. the central hubs (DFW, ORD). Not sure if that is true but many have mentioned it.
Jul 21, 2017, 7:36 am
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 246
Decision Time
Trying to decide shortly after the half way point of the year whether to go for CK, am at 30K EQD with 120k EQM, probably could double that by end of year but CK does not seem a sure thing based on these numbers and reading previous posts. In past my AA year end numbers have been about 45k EQD (guesstimate) and 150k EQM but travel is way up this year.
Alternative is to start flying UA and make 1K with them (Delta is out given my proximity to IAD). Company always pays for first or business so upgrades are not an issue. Have 1.2 million AA miles to burn but no UA miles. I am thinking there is some advantage to being both EXP and 1K when it comes to choosing destinations (thinking direct versus connections to certain destinations and IROPS) but would appreciate any thoughts on the matter, thanks.
Alternative is to start flying UA and make 1K with them (Delta is out given my proximity to IAD). Company always pays for first or business so upgrades are not an issue. Have 1.2 million AA miles to burn but no UA miles. I am thinking there is some advantage to being both EXP and 1K when it comes to choosing destinations (thinking direct versus connections to certain destinations and IROPS) but would appreciate any thoughts on the matter, thanks.
Jul 21, 2017, 7:57 am
#78
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,146
Go for 1K. CK is not a sure thing, 1K is. The more flexibility you can have these days in choosing routings/service, the better. IMO.
Jul 21, 2017, 9:06 pm
#80
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, SFO
Programs: AA CK, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 14
I would be very surprised if you didn't get it this year based on that spend. Probably why you were selected for the challenge (though, I am somewhat against a challenge for CK, but that's another story)
Where are you based? I seems that CK is offered more to those on the coast hubs (NYC, MIA,LAX) vs. the central hubs (DFW, ORD). Not sure if that is true but many have mentioned it.
Where are you based? I seems that CK is offered more to those on the coast hubs (NYC, MIA,LAX) vs. the central hubs (DFW, ORD). Not sure if that is true but many have mentioned it.
Jul 21, 2017, 9:08 pm
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Jul 22, 2017, 8:07 am
#82
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 246
Heading for 1K
I have a itinerary that wasn't working on AA (DCA-SEA-SFO-DCA) so I am off for UA 1K status instead of trying for CK. Only downside I can see is AC access probably won't work as AA and UA are rarely in same terminals. Might have to spring for UA club access. Anyone know of any UA challenges?
Jul 22, 2017, 8:35 am
#83
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
The google does:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...omoCode=TB8230
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...omoCode=TB8230
Jul 22, 2017, 9:15 am
#84
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
Jul 24, 2017, 9:03 am
#85
Join Date: May 2007
Location: MCI/ORD/CDG
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 771
I'm currently $46K EQD on AA metal year to date (international biz, mostly). How much more do I need to spend to be a good CK candidate? I have a few trips plan to Asia on Cathay that I can rebook to AA if needed.
Jul 24, 2017, 9:43 am
#86
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
. Really, as there are no published criteria we can only guess. It has been bandied about a $60 or $70+ thousand AirPass purchase might be good for CK, but the surest way seems to be a corporate arranger or influencer of travel - we've seen a few of those that fkynless than 100k miles annually.
Jul 25, 2017, 7:15 am
#88
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3
American Frustration, any ideas?
I have been a AA executive Platinum status member since that status inception and have over 5,000,000 lifetime miles flown and this year to date over 125,000 domestic miles. I have repeatedly requested concierge key status, not for the upgrades as I fly business, but for the preferential treatment when I have a flight problem, which we all know are common. They keep telling me maybe in the next consideration, although they told me that at beginning of year and then in June told me no after mid year consideration. I have 1500 employees and some of them are concierge key even though they fly less and aren't responsible for employee travel. I have sat next to numerous concierge key status people and in talking with them none of them have had more miles flown, more dollars spent or more company travel responsibility
Is there any ideas anyone has for me. I'm frustrated enough that I may move my second half of year 100k mile travel to another airline.
Thanks for any advice
Is there any ideas anyone has for me. I'm frustrated enough that I may move my second half of year 100k mile travel to another airline.
Thanks for any advice
Last edited by Dk511; Jul 25, 2017 at 9:34 am Reason: Clarification
Jul 25, 2017, 7:53 am
#90
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
Lifetime AA EXP -- didn't know that was even possible.
Cant really help you out but from what I have read is that CK is primarily based on spend and what you are worth to AA and not on miles flown.
Cant really help you out but from what I have read is that CK is primarily based on spend and what you are worth to AA and not on miles flown.