An additional data point... my dad who was formerly CEO of a public company has been CK for 3-4 years, though he got the warning notice last year that there would be no renewal unless he traveled X miles in the next month (he did). His usual spend was in the 40k-60k range, mostly on domestic work travel. He left the job this year and yearly spend is down to 19k. No renewal thus far.

 

It's a surprise but I'll break it before JonNYC or the other bloggie folks do so that proper credit may be attributed.

Last year it was the MD-80 tags but this year..... this year ------





Every CK gets THEIR OWN 737-MAX!!!

That's right folks, Everett has run out of parking space and each CK gets a 737-MAX (CKs must provide parking and pay all associated tarmac fees of course). CKs must return the aircraft at the end of the year but it sure beats that little 'ole MD-80 scrap as a CK gift, right?

When you receive this gesture in the renewal packages as they start to trickle in, at least you knew about it in advance and can make the appropriation preparations.

 

1) If you are originating from an airport without flagship first, but with dedicated CK agents (e.g. DFW, RDU, CLT), and you are cutting it really close on making your flight, can you get help to expedite security / pre-check like you do at airports with flagship check-in? If so, do you call or email to ask for help?

Does DFW not have Flagship Check in? I am JFK based so who knows?

You can try emailing but unlikely to get support to go through security unless you pay for Five Star Service which includes curbside meet and great +++

2) In what ways do you use CK benefits now that you wish you knew about when you first became CK?

Hmmm... there aren't many secrets.
They used to have special email addresses for each airport that had CK agents but they deprecated these in favor of just one single email at the call center.
My favorite perk is waived copays
I wish they waived change fees
I wish they'd double upgrade to F on three class aircraft

 

Not really - there is one sort of by A12 - thats generally the best line anyway and the one I use. There is an app which will tell you wait times at DFW (DFW Airport App) - I just use that to plan.

As for secrets I think the best one that was less known was access to the Flagship lounges. Thats huge. I like the companion upgrades too. Lately they have been great to get me at the tarmac whenever I am in different terminals at DFW or otherwise.

 

As a newly minted CK who connects at DFW a lot, I�m wondering if the tarmac transfer / golf cart transfer is gate to
gate or gate to Adm Club to gate?

 

Shouldn't every station have a staff member that is focused on handling CK pax when they come through (they know when they are traveling). Just like Delta has red coats at every station, why doesn't AA do something to this effect?

 

A recent time, I was in the DFW Flagship Lounge (Term D) and asked the front desk if they would call for a cart to take me to my gate in A. The front desk had no issues calling for a CK cart to take me and the cart showed up very quickly. I normally like walking, but was a having a leg issue at the time. I did not mention I was have a leg issue, I just asked if they could call for a cart to take me. It seemed like it was no big deal and was glad to help. The lady driving the cart seems all to happy to have someone she could assist as well.

 

The DFW tarmac transfers are really nice. However, the terminal cart transfers are a bit embarrassing, and honestly, not sure they really save much time vs. a decent walk pace. And if transferring some terminals (say from A to D), the cart has to wait for an elevator up, and then back down, so seems like just taking the skytrain is more efficient.

 

If they are able to provide a transfer, it all depends on connection time. If you've got time to burn, they'll take you to the Admiral's Club, and often give you the choice of the Flagship in D, or the one in the Terminal your flight will depart from. If the connection is tight, they'll get you right to the plane. I've had times where I've walked up the stairs to the jet bridge and right onto my next flight, with the rep swimming upstream to scan my boarding pass for me.

I've had some tight connections where there was no transfer to be found... and I've had transfers when there was a 5 hour layover... it all depends on how many other CKs are passing through, and how busy they are. It's gold when it happens, though!

 

When the lines are long at DFW, typically Monday and Tuesday AM between 6-9am, Terminal D or Terminal E (CLEAR) is the way to go. SkyLink takes no time at all. Easily saves 10-15 mins if you're running late and TSA line is out of control.

 

For this very reason I would ask the cart driver to drive just behind me as I walk ahead of it but with sufficient distance so that it looks like they are just trying to get around me.

Same for the tarmac transfers - I would ask that they use a baggage buggy instead of an SUV so as to avoid drawing attention.

 

I think I'm not renewed.

Spend: 47k+ (Probably going to be 52)
EQMs: 307,141 (Going to be 320-340)
EQSs: 92

All purchased F or J, mix of domestic/int'l and PHL/SEA based. I guess Delta wants my business more.

 

I was thinking I had a shot at CK this year but not love for me yet.

I had an odd experience on wed though and am now wondering if there was a connection to CK review. On Wed afternoon I received a phone call from someone who said they were an EP laison and wanted to know how AA was doing and if I had any feedback. I was tied up with work so they sent an email with a phone number to call back when I had time.

I did not connect this to a potential CK review until just now when I saw the thread, wasn't aware this was the week.

Did anyone else get a call like this? I can still call back and provide feedback. Any thoughts on if it had a tie in to CK. Stats below, combination of international J and domestic Y.

my stats
EQD: 44.5k
EQM: 130
EQS: 75

I was hoping for CK as I have been directing some travel to delta as I don�t want to connect in Chicago. With CK I would change this and fly AA more.

 

Did you end up calling back or are you giving �em the classic 72 post-date cool off period?

 

Curious if anyone with PHL as their home airport get a renewal yet? Maybe they make their way from hub to hub in deciding who gets a renewal.