American Concierge Key vs. United Global Services

You can expect to be on your own when you have a tight connection to make.

That is not completely true, whenever that happenes about half the time I have somebody from the global services team meet me at the gate and escort me to my connecting flight or f I have missed that give me a new boarding pass for the next available flight. Especially the SFO crew has been very good at that.

"the ability to turn upgrade seats into flat out award seats"

This is NOT a published Global Services benefit.

thanks so much, I just watched Up in the air and was clueless what they were talking about. I was searching for some answers and found your blog. Thanks again.

Thanks for the info. I just found out when I called the EP desk last night that I'm now Concierge Key. Is there any formal notification to members when they are "invited"? One benefit I experienced today is that when I called about getting an earlier flight home, they were able to add me to the standby list over the phone. Generally you still have to get to the airport to add to the standby list. It may not sound like a big deal, but it allows you to reduce the time you waste in the airport.

I'll keep you posted on standby ranking as well. I added to a flight on Tuesday 45 minutes before departure with 61 people on the list. When I got to the gate I was first on the list. I find it hard to believe that out of 61 ppl. I was the only EP.

When you're invited to Concierge Key, you get a formal invitation letter in the mail vaguely explaining the program. The letter also has an activation code that you input on the AA website to accept the offer.

I have been a GS member since the program started 5 or 6 years ago.That was before most people (including UA staff new what it was)
First couple of the years it was low key and then they started putted signs up and calling it out. at the gate. Other than wait lists and getting your choice of salad or sandwich I do not see an real difference from 1k .
I have never been met at a gate or such,
It will be interesting to see what happens when the continental and United programs merge as they I think are quite misaligned around status tiers (or possibly tears)

Post #57 on this thread ( http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage/687154-concierge-key-new-aa-premium-service-consolidated-4.html ) explains what Concierge Key offers.

New Product from Premium Services – ConciergeKey Premium Services

Premium Services is the American Airlines work group that accommodates the special needs of
our most valuable customers. Premium Services operates all of our airport lounges including 43
Admiral’s Clubs Lounges, Flagship Lounges, Arrivals Lounge and Executive Centers.
Premium Services has developed an exciting new way to expand the services we offer to these
select customers with the introduction of the ConciergeKey.
ConciergeKey
The ConciergeKey program will differentiate the travel experience
for our most important customers. In a recent survey, 87% of AA
VIP travelers stated that the availability of a premium customer
service product, like ConciergeKey, impacts their choice of airline.
ConciergeKey is a wallet card that has been sent to a group of valuable customers, including
customers who travel frequently and those who purchase travel for other individuals. The front
of the card reads “ConciergeKey; Always connected” and features the AA aircraft nose logo.
The back of the card includes the customer name, AAdvantage number, expiration date and a
phone number and email exclusively for ConciergeKey customers.
Components of the ConciergeKey Program
ConciergeKey is a free service for customers who qualify and it replaces some programs that
we have previously used to recognize our premium customers. Key components include
telephone support and special services to improve the airport experience.
ConciergeKey customers are proactively monitored every time they travel; there is no need to
contact AA to arrange for the services.
Phone Assistance (evolved from VIP Connection)
ConciergeKey cardholders have access to dedicated 24/7 phone number. Specially trained
representatives proactively monitor these customers and can offer assistance with re-routes,
flight and seat changes, day-of-departure airport assistance and assistance with upgrades.
Airport Assistance
ConciergeKey cardholders may use First and Business class counters where available for flight
check-in and may use the premium security lane, available at more than 30 airports.
Concourse Assistance (evolved from Special Services, Premium Customer Services)
ConciergeKey representatives in 35 stations provide proactive assistance for VIP and Premium
customers and will be assigned to key markets in BOS, DCA, DFW, JFK, LAX, LGA, MIA, ORD
and SFO.

Other Assistance
During OSO situations, ConciergeKey customers transiting through hubs will be assisted to their
connections. The primary goal for representatives is to anticipate the customer’s needs and
prevent negative airport experiences.

ConciergeKey representative will be assigned to the following markets to provide concourse
assistance to our VIP customers.
Domestic: BOS, DCA, DFW, JFK, LAX, LGA, MIA, ORD, RDU, SFO, SJC, STL, YYZ
Europe, Asia, India: BRU, CDG, DEL, FRA, LGW, LHR, MAD, MAN, NRT, PVG, ZRH
Latin America: BOG, CCS, EZE, GIG, GRU, MEX, PTY, SCL, SDQ, SJO, SJU

One of the key
points that may be important to customers is they cannot apply for the card, and instead
must be selected based on our established criteria.

All ConciergeKey services are available to cardholders each time they travel, regardless of the
cabin classification of these customers.

UA GS is great. Here are some experiences:

When my flight to Singapore was delayed and I missed my connection, they met me at the arrival gate with 3 different tickets (1 on US, 2 on other airlines) of my choice to Delhi and I just chose one.

When luggage went to a different airport because of rerouting on a trip, they called me three times and delivered the luggage in the middle of the night to make sure I got it)

When I was traveling on United plane but on a USAir ticket (!) and therefore didn't qualify for an official upgrade, they bumped me to first class AND held open luggage space overhead on a very full plane.

Great benefits for me. New benefit to them? Well, I figure I end up spending extra 30-40K per year on United as I try to fly them whenever I can.

I am both GS and CK and do NOT understand why CK doesn't count toward status for upgrades and the like...it makes no sense, if they do consider CK eligible for other perks. When I have asked AA (and I have many times), I am told CK is about day of travel "airport" services. Seems very short sighted

I have been ck for three years. I was invited out of the program last week and I flew more miles in x2012 than 2011 and do nit understand. Aa is nit very helpful in fact totally unhelpful in explaining let alone talking to me about it. I spent 233000 Usd on Aa last year including family and that will not happen again. I am moving to delta air francecand virgin as much as I possibly can. Very unhappy w
After more than five million miles myself

Global service members are re-protected 1st when a flight is cancelled.

In terms of moving to an earlier flight WITH checked luggage, Global Service members can have their luggage delivered to them even if the Global member has voluntarily moved to an earlier flight with their luggage on a different flight.