There is a not-insignificant portion of the frequent flyer community that finds invitation-only status with US airlines to be sexy. I don't really understand it. Is there any other context in which overpaying for a turkey pastrami sandwich, cheese, and wine is considered appealing?
George Clooney starred in the movie "Up In The Air", which was a major theme of the Concierge Key status of American Airlines.
What is Concierge Key status? What are the benefits of Concierge Key? How many Concierge Key members are there? There is little published information about the status, but there are lots of data points.
I wanted to answer some of the most common questions about Concierge Key status in this post.
What is the status of American Concierge Key?
Concierge Key is American's invitation-only elite status level. It has been extended for many members during the Pandemic, but there is no published criteria to earn it, and it has to be renewed every year.
Concierge Key was separate from the AAdvantage program, but that is no longer the case. Concierge Key is a tier above Executive Platinum, which is American's highest published elite tier.
Concierge Key is an invitation-only status of American Airlines.
How do you get American Concierge Key?
There are a few ways to earn Concierge Key, but the criteria are not published.
Spending a lot on American Airlines travel is one way to do that. We are talking $50,000 a year. Don't assume you have a chance of being invited if you spend less than $50,001, it's not to say that spending $50,001 will get you Concierge Key status. Concierge Key can be earned through your own travel, which is the most common way it is earned.
We don't know what American looks for. Does the airline care about the amount of money you spend, the fare classes you fly in, or something else? The above numbers are what has historically been thrown around, though perhaps during the Pandemic it has been easier to earn. I haven't seen a lot of data points of people being invited recently.
I wouldn't expect major changes to Concierge Key requirements with American Airlines introducing Loyalty Points and changing how AAdvantage status is earned. I think you could earn millions of Loyalty Points through credit card spending and still not get a Concierge Key invite.
Concierge Key can be earned through influence you have over others. Sometimes American Airlines will give Concierge Key nominations as part of a big corporate contract, or to key travel planners who have influence over a lot of others.
Concierge Key is comped by American Airlines to some people. For example, a YouTuber was comped Concierge Key status and was really unhappy when it was taken away.
I have never been offered Concierge Key status.
What are the benefits of American Concierge Key status?
Concierge Key has a number of published benefits, but some would argue that the biggest benefit is better treatment in the event of irregular operations.
The benefits of American Airlines Concierge Key are listed.
The upgrade priority is over all other AAdvantage elite tiers.
An admirals club membership.
Even when traveling domestically, you have access to Flagship Lounges.
This has been an unofficial benefit of the two Flagship First Dining passes.
Executive Platinum members usually get two systemwide upgrades.
Co-pays are not charged on international upgrades.
There is a dedicated phone number and email address.
Even when traveling domestically, Flagship First check-in is still available.
Priority boarding before everyone else.
Assistance is given during irregular operations.
The first check-in for American Airlines is at JFK.
Assistance during irregular operations is probably the most valuable perk. Concierge Key members can get rebookings when flights are canceled.
You can be picked up on the tarmac and driven to your connecting flight with American, they have some Cadillacs for Concierge Key transfers. Concierge Key agents aren't going to deliver 100% of the time, so there are instances where you'll likely be disappointed.
Extra systemwide upgrades are given to Concierge Key members.
How many American Concierge Key members are there?
The best we can do is speculate, because American Airlines hasn't revealed how many Concierge Key members there are. I think there are between 10,000 and 20,000 Concierge Key members. My guess is that the number is in the middle of that range.
American worked with a company to send out chocolate to Concierge Key members, and the company posted that 11,300 packages had been prepared. Not all Concierge Key members received this chocolate, suggesting that there are more members than that.
I think the number of Executive Platinum members is 3-4 times higher than the number of Concierge Key members. Again, that is speculation on my part.
Concierge Key members can board before first class.
Concierge Key is an invitation-only elite status of American Airlines. It gives you priority over Executive Platinum members for a number of things, including lounge access, extra systemwide upgrades, and even help in the event of irregular operations. It is not a sure bet if you don't spend at least $50,000 per year on American Airlines flights.
Is the life changing? I have never had it, but I am inclined to say no. Others may disagree.
If you have been a Concierge Key member in the past, what has your experience been with the status? How does it compare to Executive Platinum status?
