James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
38 comments
Eduardo Hernandez
September 24, 2019
Thank you for the great info. Just curious if you know..if my business spends $1M a year in credit card charges using an American Airlines business credit card, could that qualify me to a ConciergeKey?
Jarrod West
September 24, 2019
Hi Eduardo,
We cannot say definitively, as we do not represent American Airlines. My assumption is that this would not qualify you for ConciergeKey as they usually require individuals to fly more than 200,000 miles with American Airlines, in addition to the spending requirement, in order to be eligible.
Thanks for reading!
Bassam
October 05, 2019
Thanks for the article. Concierge is by invitation only as you mentioned and I was invited a few years back.
The only three perks that are really worth it are 1) the first to board, 2) private entrances at some airport and private check-in which now you can get with the VIP suite and 3) golf cart transfers between gates.
But be assured that you will never get the invite if you fly coach. Most of your flights need to be in business or first class.
I’ve only received the invite once and I am at 3 million miles so far.
Best of luck to all travelers.
Jahangir
October 23, 2019
You mentioned 200,000 miles with American as a potential minimum for consideration. I assume this is actual miles flown, versus EQMs, as I’m pushing 300K EQMs but fly first, so my actual miles (Million Miler credited miles) flown is probably half of that.
If that is true, you’re talking 40 round trips from Boston to LA in a year. I’m sure lots of consultants are thinking, “doable,” but even they have vacations and weeks they don’t travel. It’s pretty difficult to do.
The $50K is just a couple of Europe and/or Asia trips in business and regular travel. Much more approachable in comparison.
Traveler
November 01, 2019
Jarrod
Great article!
What are your thoughts on the chances with 170k EQM and $45k EQD (all biz class US – Europe) in the last 7 months of 2019? Assume the 200k miles and $50k is a minimum but didn’t know if AA notices when a flyers travel habits change.
Since invitation only, probable very hard to predict.
Regards
Jarrod West
November 08, 2019
Hi Traveler,
As you’ve said, since Concierge Key invitation only, it is very hard to predict. But I would say if you keep up those travel habits, especially with that level of spend, you might stand a good chance of being invited.
Frequent flyer
November 18, 2019
Hi, I made CK last year and without doubt the best benefits are upgrade ranking – the rest of it, including flagship lounge access, is complete fluff. The Cadillac transfers at airports are nice on a tight transfer but very inconsistent at about 30% of flights receiving this service. It did make me fly more on AA this year even if AA were not the best choice. As I approach another year it will make me resentful if I don’t re-qualify, to the point that I will go out if my way not to fly them! So AA needs to be careful that it doesn’t become too elusive for their best customers or it will backfire on them.
Don EP with 5 Mil + Miles
August 03, 2022
Great point!
Alex B
September 30, 2022
I just hit 352k loyalty points with over $65k spend this year alone. Fingers crossed I get the invite.
math
July 14, 2023
does not compute – an EP who spends 65k on flights would have more than 700k LPs. card spend =/= flight spend.
AA Frequent Flyer
December 16, 2019
How long does it normally take AA to notify a customer that they’ve reached Concierge Key status? My colleague just got Concierge Key status with $46k EQD and 204k EQM. I’m sitting at $51k EQD and 256k EQM, but I haven’t received anything.
Jarrod West
December 16, 2019
Hi AA Frequent Flyer,
There doesn’t appear to be any sort of set time frame. However, if your colleague was invited, then I think there is a strong chance that you should be invited as well.
JM CK
December 21, 2019
I made CK last year (165k spend) and the biggest benefit are the backup bookings. For example I was flying from DFW to Jakarta and my flight from DFW to Hong Kong was delayed. I immediately got a call from AA and they had booked me on the next 4 Hong Kong to Jakarta flights in case I missed my connection.
Also its an unwritten rule that they will keep the boarding door open for you if you are running late as long as you call and let them know. (max 5-10 minutes)
P.S. the EASIEST way to earn CK is to utilize Airpass. If you pre-fund $100k (you or your company) you automatically get a CK account and 2 Exec platinum accounts. You also save around 30% on a lot of international flights and free cancellations up to 30 minutes before a flight.
Jarrod West
December 23, 2019
Hi JM,
Thanks for sharing this data point! In that case, Airpass seems like a top option for those looking to earn CK as quickly as possible.
Bill
January 01, 2020
I’ve had CK for a couple of years in the last 6. In 2019, I flew more than any other year, with 60,400 EQD and 202,200 EQM the most ever, I didn’t receive an invite to CK. I believe AA changes the rules for qualifying for CK every year.
Alycia
January 13, 2020
I’ve had CK status (and almost every other) on AA. My assessment is that it is not worth it given the wildly fluctuating level of service (or lack thereof). Even boarding first is a waste most of the time because Group 1 stacks up behind you before you even step foot on the plane 90% of the time. I won’t miss it and it is rarely acknowledged by AA staff at airports or on the plane (one exception was a wonderful FA yesterday). Anyway Ex Plats don’t worry – you are not missing out on much….
Jihn
January 21, 2020
Bottom line. Who cares? Anyone who flies enough to get to this level is obviously not living a normal life.
Jordan M
September 04, 2020
In order to get ConciergeKey as a corporation, you generally have to pre-fund at least $100,000 into an Airpass account. Airpass is only really beneficial for flights into asia (about 30% cheaper and often instant upgrades to business when you book).This will get you a CK and two EP accounts. As you spend more you can negotiate for more CKs.
I still can’t figure out the CK qualifications personally. One year I spent $250,000 in EQD and earned 1.8mm miles and didn’t get CK the next year until I called and asked. Other years I got it for 30% of that amount.
The biggest benefit for the CK is international travel. There is always an agent waiting for you to help you whisk your way to your connection. Also the delay assistance is awesome. I was flying from DFW to Jakarta via Hong Kong last year and unfortunately my DFW-HK flight was delayed. ConciergeKey called me and booked me on the next 4 HK-JKT flights to ensure that I wasn’t stuck in hong kong upon my arrival. That alone makes it worth it.
WB
October 31, 2020
Great scene in the ‘Up in the Air’ movie is when he’s showing her his ConciergeKey card and she is totally in awe of it.
Christine Krzyszton
October 31, 2020
Thanks for the reminder WB, that was a great scene!
Mark
September 12, 2022
Once you obtain 200,000 Loyalty Points and Executive Platinum is there any reason to surpass that number? If Concierge Key is not attainable is there any benefit besides accruing more miles for travel. Do they count against next year’s status for example?
Jarrod West
September 12, 2022
Hi Mark,
Yes, AA offers added Choice Rewards that you can receive at 350,000, 550,000, and 750,000 Loyalty Points, provided that you’ve meet the 30 segment requirement. Here is the page on the AA website for reference: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/loyalty-choice-rewards.jsp
Alex B
September 30, 2022
Anything over the 200k mark will go against competition with other EP’S for upgrades. The more you spend the higher up on the list you go.
Robert B
January 31, 2023
When suggest spending at least $50,000 a year, is that for just your tickets or for tickets you purchase for you and your family on the same itineraries?
Jarrod West
January 31, 2023
Hi Robert,
That is exclusively for your own tickets.
justin
February 18, 2023
Does flying almost exclusively domestic decrease your chances significantly?
I’m on track to spend north of 100k this year. Based out of PHL
Jarrod West
February 20, 2023
Hi Justin,
Qualification is almost entirely spend-based, so where you fly should not matter.
RR
March 23, 2023
AA discontinued the AirPass program. Since you updated this 2 days ago, you should edit the frequent mention of leveraging AirPass to qualify.
Keri Stooksbury
May 26, 2023
Hi RR – Program functionality for existing AirPass members will end by March 31, 2024.
Fred
March 30, 2023
I’m trying to validate, but it appears that the “additional benefit” described above of granting EP has been removed from the 2023 CK program. I guess instead it must be earned through the Loyalty Reward program?
Andi
April 01, 2023
Yes. 200k LP
Roper
April 25, 2023
Some CKs received this gift EXP a few weeks ago for 2023.
JB704CLT
April 01, 2023
This morning my app shows I have been downgraded to Executive Platinum. Have been Concierge Key for 7+ years while still traveling heavy thru the pandemic. Heavy EP for 10+ years prior to earning CK for the first time many 7+ years ago. Million Miler. 744k LP earned last year mostly from flights. No email as of yet explaining why. Very disappointing. Could have traveled direct from market to market many times but chose to be loyal to American. Makes one question if loyalty is worth it anymore. Used to be.
David Byrom
April 17, 2023
I travel a lot with my job. I’ve been maintaining my executive platinum every year and hoping to get invite as a concierge key member. So please take a minute to review my status and please contact me via email or phone and I’ll elaborate why I travel so much.
Thanks
David.
Katie Seemann
April 17, 2023
Hi David,
We are Upgraded Points, not American Airlines. If you’d like to request an upgrade to ConciergeKey, you’ll need to contact American directly.
Mark Hopkins
September 14, 2023
I have provided AA with my exclusive travel needs, achieving Exec Platinum level for multiple years – even during Covid. What I see on a regular basis when I attempt to fly standby or be upgraded is that I am being bumped down the list by Concierge Key members. As I am in the top tier if confirmed and checked in – I can see my place on the list in the app. Typically, as Exec Platinum I will be 1 or 2. Multiple times I am seeing myself drop from the initial top position to 5 or more. This can only be happening by Concierge Key members joining the list. This means there are a significant number of Concierge Key members out there and they are traveling on a regular basis as well.
I was told AA won’t consider upgrading me to Concierge Key so my loyalty and Exec Platinum are basically worthless – since the Concierge Key members are grabbing up all the benefits. In the canned response I received, AA states that Concierge Key does not dilute my membership, but my own personal experience says differently.
Just curious what other travelers are seeing.
Mark Hartnady
September 18, 2023
Does anybody know what are the windows to get an invitation to CK? I have acquired over 1 million LP only in international flights.
Thanks
Jarrod West
September 18, 2023
Hi Mark,
Generally speaking, you’d need to $50,000+ in a qualifying year. But there is no exact figure that will guarantee that you’ll receive an invitation.
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