So, is Concierge Key status worth trying for? Well send you an email containing the activation link. Looking for the best flight deals? I had really no idea! Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. Giuseppe Pesenti, head concierge at Badrutt's Palace high atop St. Moritz confirmed that the developing concierge network spread over all of Europe, with professionals turning away from rivalry and toward cooperation. Some And no is not in their vocabulary. Assume the 200k miles and $50k is a minimum but didnt know if AA notices when a flyers travel habits change. Do not work regular work hours. Never heard of it but now I will look for them. Ive had CK for a couple of years in the last 6. These figures are backed up by a now-deleted Instagram post from @jmauboin, an owner of a chocolate company with whom American Airlines partnered to prepare 11,300 boxes of chocolate. In addition to many of these benefits, members also receive some surprise and delight gifts such as events with company executives, gifts mailed each year, and even complimentary status to designate out to a family or friend. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-pointspanda_com-box-4-0-asloaded{max-width:580px!important;max-height:400px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'pointspanda_com-box-4','ezslot_8',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pointspanda_com-box-4-0'); Concierge Key is available to everybody but if you want to increase your chances of getting invited, you need to do any or all of these things below. As of this writing, a $30,000 package is required for Executive Platinum, so youd need to spend an extra $20,000 to make the jump to the first level where ConciergeKey might be offered. This role continued to evolve throughout the mid to late medieval period, until the comte des cierges became the custodian of the castle itself, the keeper of the keys. The post was made in 2019 so the numbers have probably gone up or gone down but its safe to say that its within the 10k-15k range. While this method may seem like the easy path towards Concierge key status, the chances of getting invited are slim because American Airlines looks at how big of an influencer you are, and of course, influence is hard to measure. The group vows to accommodate every guest request so long as it is morally, legally, and humanly possible. And that is a point that may well be crossed at times depending upon your definitions of the terms. Then, theres the deliberation only one fourth of interviewees progress and receive their Golden Keys, while unsuccessful applicants must wait a further year before trying again. Unlimited Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges internationally. There are no published requirements for ConciergeKey, so it is tough to say what will get you admitted into the program. The Society of the Golden Keys - recognisable to hotel guests all over the world by the lapel pins of top Concierges - was formed in Great Britain in 1952. Theres increased award availability, too. Ive used hotel concierges before, but I have no idea if Ive ever benefited from the services of someone who is a member of Les Clefs dOr. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Additionally, you need to be invited every year in order to maintain your status. Wed categorize this as luck, to be honest theres really no way to control this, aside from probably being very positive toward American and truly shifting a large readership or viewership to actually fly with them (and having the measurable results to prove it). I travel a lot with my job. The pin, a shiny golden insignia depicting two golden keys crossed in an 'x' formation, has been awarded to them by the international Les Clefs d'Or (The Golden Keys, in English) organisation. It is a very elite organisation and one that many strive to belong to. Our goal is to provide you with a premium relocation concierge service. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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? So the question now is, would you be willing to spend at least $50,000 and be loyal to one airline for decades? These Golden Key Hotel Concierges are to be found all over the world, and the membership to Les Clefs dOr is the holy grail of the hotel world. Now, I know how to get the pink poodle I have always wanted (just kidding). Thanks for the article. We stay very close to each other, and whoever finds new information sends it out and shares it immediately, Zhan tells Australian Business Traveller. Talking point: have you given up on airport WiFi? Lan Chile had gone on strike and the airport was total chaos. Based out of PHL. Who Can Get ConciergeKey? The second way is to become a travel manager of a large corporate account that has agreements with American Airlines. Didnt receive an activation email? If you look at the options mentioned above, the common denominator is money. The Honourable President of Les Clefs dOr Switzerland has a very regular guest in his hotel shes Shanghainese, and works for a Swiss luxury watch maker, Zhan says. We cannot say definitively, as we do not represent American Airlines. To connect with fellow Golden Key members, the worlds elite concierges have access to private online groups and communities, which also double as a fantastic source of information. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. $330,000. An optimistic Zhan shares that for simple requests, we can always find a solution for our guests sometimes giving several options to let guests make their own decisions, with all of the choices on the table. A perfect example would be a travel manager from an international company like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, EY, etc. I made CK last year (165k spend) and the biggest benefit are the backup bookings. This is not an exhaustive list and may frequently change. American Airlines doesn't publish this data, but based on recent estimates, there are likely to be approximately 15,000 ConciergeKey members worldwide. In addition, those who hit VERY high spending levels on travel may be offered ConciergeKey, but its worth noting that the amount spent with the airline varies. COMPETITIVE Unlike other concierge companies we aren't just here to spend your money. No one knows the exact number but its been common knowledge amongst the travel industry that there are about 10,000 to 15,000 AA Concierge Key members around the world. You also earn points on rewards categories, such as the 5x points per dollar youll earn when you book directly with an Airline. It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Points Panda has partnered with a variety of financial companies including CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. The Business Platinum Card From American Express, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Think of Delta 360 as more of a consistent American Airlines 5 Star program more than anything but still valuable for sure. Have been Concierge Key for 7+ years while still traveling heavy thru the pandemic. A pair of crossed golden keys on a concierge's lapel is the symbol of Les Clefs D'Or, the international organization of professional hotel concierges. I only stayed at one of the hotels you mentioned here we spent my 50th birthday at the Shangri-La in Sydney. I was flying from DFW to Jakarta via Hong Kong last year and unfortunately my DFW-HK flight was delayed. These concierges have the skills and the contacts to open doors that no others can. Im on track to spend north of 100k this year. After her trip, she came back to this hotel and visited us. The association was founded in 1929 in Paris, where concierges could work together to help their guests. Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Global Services members also have access to special confirmed upgrade inventory, allowing them to confirm into a forward cabin well ahead of any other member. 2 hours ago. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the website, blog posts, videos, emails or any other content. However, it is not that easy. Global Services members can open award inventory on flights without it. In the past few years, members received a package of high-end chocolates symbolizing locations around the world, as well as luggage tags made out of metal from retired MD-80 jets (which used to be the workhorse of the American fleet). What Are the Benefits of ConciergeKey Status? They stay very close to each other, and whoever finds new information sends it out and shares it immediately. Other years I got it for 30% of that amount. In terms of benefits, United Global Services ranks first among all the invite-only status tiers, with Concierge Key coming in at 2nd, and Delta 360 at 3rd. The newly electedInternational President Les Clefs dOr is Simon Thomasthe Head Concierge The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner. All rights reserved. Terms apply to the offers below. pic.twitter.com/dh5VEir0tH. See our Advertiser Disclosure for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. That impossible reservation for the Shangri-La guest, thanks to the society of the Golden Keys. For 3 of these years, they must have been a concierge before they can apply. But, like you mentioned, they are discrete. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, of good moral character and active within their concierge community. Call a taxi. 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. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which PointsPanda LLC receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites including but not limited to CreditCards.com. March 14, 2014 If you've ever been to an elite hotel, you might notice your concierge wearing a pin on their lapel: two crossed golden keys. interact with our community. use American Airlines miles to upgrade a ticket, fast-track to airline status with the right credit cards, https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/loyalty-choice-rewards.jsp, American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program Review, How To Status Challenge With American Airlines [In-depth Guide], How to Status Match With Southwest Airlines [In-Depth Guide], The Ultimate Guide To Booking with American Airlines Vacations, The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. The third way is the hardest and will have the most financial impact on the single person. Its pretty difficult to do. And Golden Key concierges are picky on which job that they will accept. I want to know their secrets. Points Panda and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. Is that it? Image: PC Invasion. I guess that we were never aware that the concierges could be our friend. If you have not received the activation email, simply enter your email address below, then click 'Submit'. There is always an agent waiting for you to help you whisk your way to your connection. Jamie first got hooked on miles and points during a high school choir trip to Europe, where he flew in Lufthansa first class (thanks to his dads then US Airways miles) because economy was sold out. Golden Key Concierge LLC is your go-to source for delivery of groceries. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. The Cadillac transfers at airports are nice on a tight transfer but very inconsistent at about 30% of flights receiving this service. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The first relatively easy way to get ConciergeKey used to be to purchase an AirPass (a prepaid travel program) at prices hovering in the $50,000 range, but as of November 30, 2022, this program is no longer accepting new or renewal contracts. If you're trying to attain ConciergeKey as a single traveler, you're likely looking to spend north of $50,000 a year and fly more than 200,000 miles. How Can You Improve Your Chances of Getting ConciergeKey? Most definitely, they are gurus and well worth knowing. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Les Clefs d'Or were founded in 1929 in Paris, and went international in 1952 to help build a network of concierges, linked through their motto "Service Through Friendship . Paula, I have never heard of the Clefs dOr beforevery cool info. Instead of spending 50k and hoping to get an invite from AA, heres a better option: get a travel credit card, spend your money to earn points, and redeem your points towards award travel. Youll receive unexpected tarmac transfers in the case of delays, as well as premium handling on the ground and within the airport. I didnt know so much was involved. How interesting! 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. This is not just a mens club, as women can also become elected to the Clefs dOr association. Simply click on the Extras option from the menu, choose SHiFT Code, and choose to sign up . The perks are exclusive, the hype is real, and whats known really isnt published so lets do a deep dive into this exclusive club. I dont think that there is anything that the Golden Key Concierges cant do. Bottom Line: Want ConciergeKey? They can have virtually any job that they want, and should a vacancy not exist, well the non mafia Clef dOrs could possibly fix it. "We have a very close relationship with all the Golden Keys members as we are all very good friends," Pesenti says. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. I have had great respect for Golden Key Concierges ever since. In 1998, the Swiss jeweler Bucherer created the official version that you now see on the lapels of the selected few in the Les Clefs dOr. When it comes to United, Global Services is truly a designated tier at the top of the ladder, with many distinctive perks. Here is the page on the AA website for reference: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/loyalty-choice-rewards.jsp. LONDONMadeleine Calon, head concierge at London's 60-room St. James's Hotel & Club, has been elected president of the Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, the. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and p. rior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. We had the pleasure of talking with Nicolas Fresneau at Hotel Westminster Paris, a Membre des Clefs dOr France Ancien Vise Prsident du Bureau Paris Ile de France Clefs dOr. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. A Concierge Trick: If you pull out that black or blue suit ( any color for that matter) and its covered with lent, don't worry. After that period, applications are accepted only from team leaders and even then, must come with the backing of two senior, established society members. Theres a lot more behind even the most frequent requests such bar and restaurant recommendations, which many travellers take for granted. Each tier has a specific amount of Loyalty Points that you need to earn to achieve status. I would love to get some insider stories and think I may well set up an interview to find out about some of the most unusual requests. While Executive Platinum has published requirements, ConciergeKey does not. Society's principle aims are to develop friendship amongst concierges | Welcome, and thank you for your interest in The Society of Golden Keys of Great Britain. 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. Of course, if you spend a large amount with them, or have a corporate account, you have a shot at Global Services, too. Bottom Line: Probably the most valuable ConciergeKey perk is being at the top of the upgrade list every time, and being able to be confirmed on oversold flights. Hi RR Program functionality for existing AirPass members will end by March 31, 2024. We love experiencing a country, city or place by connecting to its history, people and culture. 50k is a lot of money so if youre determined to spend that much, purchasing a $30,000 AA Airpass package would be the best option to get the most value for your money. Most readers probably wont start a YouTube channel dedicated to this effort, so consider this point purely informational. The golden keys Going above and beyond to fulfill a guest request is a key quality of any member of Les Clefs d'Or , an international association of elite concierges. What might charm them to stay with you? When are the latest Jimmy Choo shoes hitting the stores and can you have the first viewing? It is not just a lapel of honour to the concierge, but a huge kudos to the hotel. You have to spend your time after work collecting information. Thanks for sharing this post, Paula. Offer advice on attractions and museums to visit, and even procure tickets. While ConciergeKey is certainly a flashy program and we wouldnt turn it down for a second if offered the spending jump to get between the public and private tiers does seem sort of insane. If you pre-fund $100k (you or your company) you automatically get a CK account and 2 Exec platinum accounts. 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. Advertiser Disclosure: PointsPanda LLC is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites including but not limited to creditcards.com and others. Even if you were to earn ConciergeKey this way, some of the top influencers have had their status taken away so again, this definitely isnt a sure-fire bet. Other, more subtle approaches also dont go astray Zhan has taught staff at that same hotel to write ni hao for Shanghainese guests in their local dialect (that's nong hao, for those playing at home). We will always get you the best price for the service required. Read More: American Airlines A319 Business Class Flight Review. Required fields are marked *. The English translation of the Latin phrase clavis aurea, used metaphorically in literature. Applicants must be employed by hotels and resort hotels having a transient clientele as a full-time hotel lobby-level concierge for a minimum of five years. With Zhan using his extensive network to entertain even the most difficult requests, he frequently helps his international comrades to give guests a more personalised welcome even when they're not visiting the concierge desk. If youre in a position to earn or receive ConciergeKey, its definitely the best way to enjoy flying on American Airlines. Each week we'll send you updates with the best deals on flights and hotels both using points and cash. To even be considered for membership, candidates must have at least five years experience in a hotels customer-facing roles, with at least three of those years spent behind the concierge desk. The hotels all aspire to have a Nicolas or any of the 3 concierges in at The Westin Palace, Madrid. The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain & the Commonwealth | 1,470 followers on LinkedIn. Resend one to yourself here. The concierge was awesome, but I dont know if he had the keys. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-pointspanda_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pointspanda_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_20',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pointspanda_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Concierge Key does offer premium benefits that will make your travels worthwhile but its really hard to get an invite from AA. Definitely worth befriending all concierges especially the Golden Keys men and women. 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X miles for every $1 spent on other purchases. She said 'I know where all those secrets came from! Exclusive society. Les Clefs d'Or USA is the only national association of professional hotel concierges, with desks in the lobbies of mostly 4- and 5-star hotels nationwide. This guest is quite amazed at how much care she receives in Switzerland, and also from other Golden Key colleagues. Does flying almost exclusively domestic decrease your chances significantly? The motto of Les Clefs dOr is Service through Friendship, so with this friendship, all of the members help each other. Earn 10,000 Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in a year. Anyone can get ConciergeKey, but primarily you need to have a large sphere of influence over travel at major corporations. P.S. I knew all these things a concierge can do for you, however not all the hotel concierges are created equal, like you say. Some CKs received this gift EXP a few weeks ago for 2023. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Uniteds Global Services is the only top invitation level that can be earnedafter a whopping 4 million butt in seat miles flown directly on United or United Express aircraft (no partners allowed!). When it came to the keys though, I thought it was something they were given by the Hotel to distinguish them from other staff members so that when you asked who they were, you could be told to look for the keys. Heavy EP for 10+ years prior to earning CK for the first time many 7+ years ago. I think these concierges should open a travel blog maybe it would defeat the purpose of the exclusive service they provide but Im sure it would be a great read! Chris Chamberlin travelled to Shanghai as a guest of Shangri-La. I personally didnt know what the keys meant but knew that Concierges were in the know when it came to pretty much anything in the city they lived and worked in, mainly thanks to the Michael J Fox movie. below, then click 'Submit'. ConciergeKey is an invitation-only status above Executive Platinum. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. Thanks for sharing this data point! 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? In the world of hotels this is a big deal, with membership to this concierge society representing the highest accolade in the concierge profession. Log in below. Restaurants and bars have very different opening and closing times, and you have to know them you dont send a guest to a closed place!. If you delve a little deeper, a concierge can be one of the most valuable assets in your travels. So its like a union of concierges but upscale right? 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