For whatever reason, there’s a not-insignificant portion of the frequent flyer community that finds invitation-only status with US airlines to be sexy. I’ve gotta be honest, I don’t really get it. Is there any other context in which overpaying for the pleasure of indulging in American’s domestic first class catering, lounge cubed cheese, and cheap chardonnay, is considered appealing?
Arguably the most well known invitation-only airline status is American Airlines’ Concierge Key, as it was a major theme of the popular 2009 movie “Up In The Air,” starring George Clooney.
What is Concierge Key status really? How do you earn Concierge Key, and what are the benefits? How many Concierge Key members are there? The truth is that there’s little published information out there about the status, but lots of data points.
In this post, I’d like to attempt to answer some of the most common questions about Concierge Key status to the best of my ability. If you’re interested in the details of invitation-only elite status with other airlines, check out my posts about Delta 360 and United Global Services.
In this post:
What is American Concierge Key status?
On the most basic level, Concierge Key is American’s invitation-only elite status level. There’s no published criteria to earn it, and it has to be renewed every program year, so you can earn it one year and lose it the next.
Going back many years, Concierge Key was completely separate from the AAdvantage program, but that’s no longer the case. Nowadays Concierge Key is a formal part of the AAdvantage program, and it’s a tier above Executive Platinum status (American’s highest elite tier with published qualification criteria).
How do you earn American Concierge Key status?
The criteria to earn Concierge Key is not published, but generally there are a few ways to earn it.
One way is to spend a ton on American Airlines travel. We’re talking $50,000+ of spending per year. That’s not to say that spending $50,001 will get you Concierge Key status, but rather that if you spend less than that, don’t assume you have any real chance of being invited. As a matter of fact, nowadays you might need to spend significantly more than that. So you absolutely can earn Concierge Key purely through your own travel, and that’s probably the most common way it’s earned.
We don’t fully know what American looks for in this regard, though. Does the airline care purely about the dollar amount you spend, the typical fare classes you fly in (consistently full fare first class, for example), or something else? There are also some indications that the qualification criteria vary based on markets, so you have a better chance of earning it if you’re not living in a major hub city of American.
Keep in mind that nowadays American Airlines elite status is based on the Loyalty Points program, so you can even earn elite status through credit card spending. So, does non-flying activity similarly count toward Concierge Key status? The reports I’ve seen suggest that it does, but you need to engage with the program a lot. For example, I’ve heard of people earning Concierge Key through credit card spending, but we’re talking about millions of dollars per year in spending on cards.
You can also earn Concierge Key through the influence you have over others’ travel. 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’ travel.
American Airlines is even known to comp Concierge Key to some “influencers.” For example, going back several years, YouTuber Casey Neistat was comped Concierge Key status and was really unhappy when it was taken away.
For avoidance of doubt, I’ve never been offered Concierge Key status, and I’m totally fine with that. 😉
What are the benefits of American Concierge Key status?
Concierge Key has quite a few published benefits, but some would argue the biggest benefit of the status is better “soft” treatment in the event of irregular operations.
The benefits of American Airlines Concierge Key include the following:
- Upgrade priority over all other AAdvantage elite tiers (complimentary upgrades start clearing 120 hours out, compared to the 100 hour window for Executive Platinum members)
- An Admirals Club membership
- Access to Flagship Lounges, even when traveling domestically
- Two Flagship First Dining passes annually, though this has been an unofficial benefit
- Two additional systemwide upgrades, beyond the ones that are ordinarily earned with the Loyalty Point Rewards program
- A dedicated phone number and email address with 24/7 support
- Access to Flagship First Check-In, even when traveling domestically
- Priority boarding before everyone else
- Assistance during irregular operations
- Occasional transfers within the airport, either by golf cart through the terminal, or by car via the apron; this is sometimes offered when there are tight connections, and isn’t guaranteed
Assistance during irregular operations is probably both potentially the most valuable perk, and also the most inconsistent one. On a good day, Concierge Key members may get proactive rebookings when flights are canceled and delayed.
American even has a fleet of cars at hubs for Concierge Key tarmac transfers, so during a short connection you may be picked up planeside and driven to your connecting flight. At the same time, there are also instances where you’ll likely be disappointed, because Concierge Key agents aren’t going to deliver 100% of the time.
If you’re looking to at least get Concierge Key levels of airport support with a particular trip, keep in mind that American offers Five Star Service, which is a paid program for more attentive service at the airport.
How many American Concierge Key members are there?
American Airlines understandably hasn’t revealed how many Concierge Key members there are, so the best we can do is speculate. If I had to guess, I’d say there are somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 Concierge Key members. To be more exact, my assumption is that the number is roughly in the middle of that range.
In 2019 there was a clue — American worked with a company to send out chocolate to Concierge Key members, and the company posted that 11,300 packages had been prepared. Now, not all Concierge Key members received this chocolate, suggesting to me that there are more members than that.
If you’re curious how other elite ranks compare, I’d guess the number of Executive Platinum members is maybe 4-5x as high as the number of Concierge Key members. Again, that’s purely speculation on my part, and with the Loyalty Points system nowadays, the number may be even higher than that.
Bottom line
Concierge Key is American Airlines’ invitation-only elite status. It gives you priority over Executive Platinum members for just about everything, lounge access, extra systemwide upgrades, and also (hopefully) proactive help in the event of irregular operations. However, don’t expect it to earn it if you don’t spend at least $50,000 per year on American Airlines flights, and even then it’s not a sure bet.
Is the status life changing? While I’ve never had it, I’m inclined to say “no.” But others certainly may disagree…
If you’re a Concierge Key member (or have been one in the past), what has been your experience with the status? How does it compare to Executive Platinum status?
I think the spread of Concierge vs EP is much higher. I’m an EP and every flight I’m on there might be one or two Concierges but at least 15 to 20 EP’s.
My husband had it in 2023. He always pays cash for biz class fares and travels long-distance within North America almost every week. It wasn't renewed in 2024. He's a very low key flyer, other than being the first person boarding -- which he seemed to enjoy -- he didn't feel there was any value for him (doesn't drink, doesn't eat on planes -- even takes his own water bottle, etc.).
That's nice, dear. There's a ton of CKs out there and as Ben mentioned, you can literally become CK by buying toilet paper at Costco.
It's not all that, trust me.
What good is getting 120 hour in advance upgrades. I am EXP and while I have gotten upgraded to first on many of my home airport flights, they come thru mostly during the night before the flight or at the gate. The only one that cleared early was one where there were 16 seats in first and only 2 were sold. I want the steak, not the sizzle.
There's actually another unit within AA that extends an even higher level of service.
Seems like the main benefit is being #1 on the upgrade list for a domestic F cabin with 0 available seats ?
Basically zero CK members don't buy F.
I got it last April (April to April) very surprisingly. Didn't ask too many questions. I usually buy premium or cash upgrades rather than play the wait at the gate and hope there's a no show/misconnect game. Even with that I'm no huge spender. I have all the co-branded CCs so that surely helps.
My LPs will be higher for the current qualifying year so even with that I'm not uber confident luck will reign...
I got it last April (April to April) very surprisingly. Didn't ask too many questions. I usually buy premium or cash upgrades rather than play the wait at the gate and hope there's a no show/misconnect game. Even with that I'm no huge spender. I have all the co-branded CCs so that surely helps.
My LPs will be higher for the current qualifying year so even with that I'm not uber confident luck will reign down on me again next April.
The FL access and the phone number you can get through even during busy times are great. Where there are ACs having a Premium Services Rep either to meet you at the gate or escort you onto the plane is very hit and miss, mostly miss. Most of the time you get a text telling you what you already know. I've had just 2 SUV transfers. If I have a connection I always try to book a longer connection, at least two hours, because history has told me betting on a 45-60 minute connection will usually disappoint. So, the lack of a SUV or the cart has never been an issue for me.
Niccce. Enjoy that Escalade at MIA!
If I may ask how many LP did you have?
Last earning year I had just under 500K LP. That's why I think having all AA cobranded CCs came into play. Also, I've been an EXP for 15 of the past 17 years but not again a high spend EXP.
BTW, the Escalade is at limited airports. I think only DFW, PHL and LAX. No MIA, CLT, DCA, or PHX. Not sure about JFK.
I don't think there's one at JFK, but can't confirm. I've never had it myself. Not sure how helpful it would be - even with the tunnel its worst case a 10 minute walk between the two ends of T8, and many JFK connections have to clear CBP anyways.
I recently had SUV transfer at JFK from Soho lounge to one of the gates past the tunnel. It was proactively offered to me so I said yes but the walk otherwise wouldn't have been bad.
Darn. I see CLT is still rubbin' us all the wrong way, too...
How much from the 500k LP were actually from flights?
I am CK based in MIA. I've had 5-6 SUV transfers this year (they have Suburbans at MIA..have never seen an Escalade) with golf cart rides fairly regularly being offered including even upon arrival at MIA to the airport exit. I have booked tighter connections at specific airports (eg DFW, LHR) that offer CK services since I would be more likely to make the connection and it has worked out well although I know it's...
I am CK based in MIA. I've had 5-6 SUV transfers this year (they have Suburbans at MIA..have never seen an Escalade) with golf cart rides fairly regularly being offered including even upon arrival at MIA to the airport exit. I have booked tighter connections at specific airports (eg DFW, LHR) that offer CK services since I would be more likely to make the connection and it has worked out well although I know it's not a guarantee to get a ride. The difference vs EP is nearly always the ground experience and customer service during IRROPS, whereas in the in-air is usually nothing above what you'd experience as a non-CK (which is 100% ok - sharing for those who were curious).
The invitation letter for Concierge Key starts with "we're sorry..."
And finishes with... "Please enjoy this complimentary mini-bottle of Aviation American Gin and a tube of Radio Bombay hand-soap."
Well a lot of airline premium is a bit of a charade. Can joke about cubes of cheese and mini bottles of gin but think about paying to upgrade to Air France first. You get a bed worse than a hostel and a curtain for privacy. You don’t get your own bathroom or shower… what would you pay for that if it was a hotel listing? $50?
And a two min tarmac transfer in a...
Well a lot of airline premium is a bit of a charade. Can joke about cubes of cheese and mini bottles of gin but think about paying to upgrade to Air France first. You get a bed worse than a hostel and a curtain for privacy. You don’t get your own bathroom or shower… what would you pay for that if it was a hotel listing? $50?
And a two min tarmac transfer in a fancy car. Hardly experience of a lifetime.
Flagship first dining? Basically a middling meal in a dank restaurant.
Hard to critique CK and not take a perspective on all the other experiences we rave about.
Mick, did you just throw-shade at the La Première suite? Haven't flown it, personally, yet, but I did just fly J on AF's updated 773 (with the doors), and all of it seems quite nice to me. If La Première isn't good enough for you, I don't know if you can be pleased. I'd certainly take AF over Flagship First with AA, any day.
Hahah yes I did! I haven’t flown it yet either and can’t see that I will in the foreseeable future. But have apartments booked for Jan. It’s been 7 years!
Yeah.... my thoughts as well. WTF, Mick... LOL
AA sucks, AF soares !
Im just saying even the creme de la creme (af first) is like a $50 hotel room. Can’t throw shade at aa ck and then say other elements of the hobby are to die for. Ben paid x $k to upgrade a short transatlantic for better or else.
I dined in Flagship First JFK in Feb 2020. It was a very good meal, up there with some of the better non-airport restaurants I've dined at, although not on par with a restaurant with even one Michelin Star). The views with windows overlooking the tarmac were nice. Can't comment on how it may be now.