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
Aug 26, 2017, 9:55 pm
#121
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Aspen, CO
Posts: 792
Sweet, totally fine with me. I just find it strange as I was already given an exception to gain additional SWU's per 50K EQM (I've already gained 10 this year).
Oh also, I'd like to add that they review accounts for CK mid year around July and at the end of year in December! Not sure if this has been posted yet, but might be helpful to some. Should I add this to the wiki?
Oh also, I'd like to add that they review accounts for CK mid year around July and at the end of year in December! Not sure if this has been posted yet, but might be helpful to some. Should I add this to the wiki?
Aug 26, 2017, 10:09 pm
#122
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
1. The time to travel.
2. The money to travel.
3. The good health to travel.
I'd consider that to be the true "present".
Aug 28, 2017, 10:35 pm
#123
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Premier Silver, AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 813
<redacted>! Why do you pay that type of cash to endure endless airport headaches (travel to/from, parking, security, etc.) when you could probably be at your destination before your flight even took off?
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 21, 2017 at 8:38 am Reason: FT Rules 16
Aug 28, 2017, 10:39 pm
#124
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Premier Silver, AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 813
Aug 28, 2017, 10:39 pm
#125
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL400
Programs: DL 360, Marriott Ambassador, AA Plat
Posts: 120
My flights are usually last minute and based on where I mostly fly to, it's just beyond sensible driving distance (given traffic). That said I have driven many a times on Thunderstorm Thursdays!
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 21, 2017 at 8:37 am Reason: Carry out prior edit
Aug 28, 2017, 11:14 pm
#126
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Not sure yet
Programs: Marriott - Lifetime Platinum Premier, AA - CK
Posts: 263
My travel is not for fun. It is for work. I get very little (if any) personal value out of the perks associated with it (except for those usable during work trips), as I don't really want to get on a plane or stay in a hotel "for fun". I prefer the RV for those times. My "late Christmas present" comment was made in fun, as I have no idea if I have any chance of making it. I just followed other posters who put up their numbers to see what the collective wisdom of FT may think.
I will add that we have received great benefits from MR points over the years, but they don't require hours of planning to figure out how to best use them.
Last edited by Head; Aug 28, 2017 at 11:22 pm
Aug 28, 2017, 11:27 pm
#127
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Not sure yet
Programs: Marriott - Lifetime Platinum Premier, AA - CK
Posts: 263
Aug 29, 2017, 2:47 pm
#128
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 9
Sep 21, 2017, 6:59 am
#131
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BMI based alternates CMI/PIA/ORD/IND/STL
Programs: AA Platinum Lifetime, Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 367
At my company we are not allowed to drive more than 150 miles in one direction. Anything over that causes an exception when processing the expense. I found out the hard way when I went 171 miles. Still I would have driven it and asked for forgiveness. It isn't worth the airport experience for such a short distance. 300 would be a little harder for me to justify.
Sep 21, 2017, 7:02 am
#132
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BMI based alternates CMI/PIA/ORD/IND/STL
Programs: AA Platinum Lifetime, Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 367
Thats kind of a given..... and if that was the basis of FT, then it wouldn't be such a fun and useful website.
My travel is not for fun. It is for work. I get very little (if any) personal value out of the perks associated with it (except for those usable during work trips), as I don't really want to get on a plane or stay in a hotel "for fun". I prefer the RV for those times. My "late Christmas present" comment was made in fun, as I have no idea if I have any chance of making it. I just followed other posters who put up their numbers to see what the collective wisdom of FT may think.
I will add that we have received great benefits from MR points over the years, but they don't require hours of planning to figure out how to best use them.
My travel is not for fun. It is for work. I get very little (if any) personal value out of the perks associated with it (except for those usable during work trips), as I don't really want to get on a plane or stay in a hotel "for fun". I prefer the RV for those times. My "late Christmas present" comment was made in fun, as I have no idea if I have any chance of making it. I just followed other posters who put up their numbers to see what the collective wisdom of FT may think.
I will add that we have received great benefits from MR points over the years, but they don't require hours of planning to figure out how to best use them.
Sep 24, 2017, 2:06 pm
#133
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
Sep 24, 2017, 4:03 pm
#134
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, UA Platinum, others
Posts: 1,270
Sep 24, 2017, 4:40 pm
#135
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
Slightly off topic, but as it has been brought up: Sometimes that applies to family members. A relative is the widow of a high tier exec at UA, and she has a lifetime pass to travel anywhere in the UA system in First Class (or lower if F is not offered on the desired travel) and take a companion as well.