How Will American’s ConciergeKey Status Impact Other Elites?

New changes to the AAdvantage program were announced, beginning for travel January 1, which will mostly effect elite members. Aside from a credit card waiver that’s been put into place, there’s more formalization of the American Airlines ConciergeKey program, which is what this post will be focussing on.

Right now, American’s ConciergeKey program isn’t an official status level, but rather it’s an invitation only level for high spenders and influencers that provides them additional airport perks, including top tier Executive Platinum status. ConciergeKey members can use a dedicated phone line, flagship check-in, tarmac transfers, Admiral’s Club membership, and pre-boarding, ahead of First Class passengers.

ConciergeKey Won’t Be Turning Into an Official Elite Status Tier

With the new changes announced, American won’t be turning ConciergeKey into an elite status tier, as a lot of people expected, or so that’s what the current talk seems to be. What they will be doing is improving the benefits of ConciergeKey – the benefits most Executive Platinum’s enjoy now. American’s website seems to reflect various parts as status-level and not-status-level.

ConciergeKey members will still be awarded top-tier Executive Platinum status upon re-qualification, it seems. It’s worth noting that the criteria for ConciergeKey won’t be published, but generally requires a high amount of spend in paid business or first class tickets.

Upgrades are Changing

Starting January 1, ConciergeKey members will receive higher upgrade priority than Executive Platinum’s. So, while ConciergeKey members aren’t an elite status tier of their own, for the purposes of upgrades, you can consider them as such.

ConciergeKey’s will receive upgrades as early as 120 hours, and Executive Platinum’s will continue at 100 hours.

There’s More Changing, Too

Did your upgrade not clear in advance and you’re waiting at the airport for one? Well, the PALL airport upgrade list will be prioritized with ConciergeKey’s on top, followed by Executive Platinum’s

Standby waitlists will also prioritize with ConciergeKey members ahead of Executive Platinum members.

An Interesting Thought

While the qualification requirements for ConciergeKey aren’t published, it’s fairly widely understood that ConciergeKey members qualify off of spend, usually on paid business or first class tickets. So, if they’re flying up front most of the time anyway on a paid ticket, then this would only have a marginal effect on current Executive Platinum upgrades.

How do you feel about the new changes to ConciergeKey?