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American Airlines' Secretive Top-Tier Elites Receiving Passes to Flagship First Dining

Feb. 07, 2019
•
3 min read
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American Airlines' Secretive Top-Tier Elites Receiving Passes to Flagship First Dining
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American Airlines has made an impressive investment in its lounges in the past few years. And while refreshed Admirals Club are nice, the way AA has really impressed is with its new Flagship Lounges. The airline has opened four (New York JFK, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles) of these new premium lounges since May 2017, and there are three more on the way: Dallas/Fort Worth (opening in April 2019), London Heathrow and Philadelphia.

While the food and drink in these Flagship Lounges are solid, first-class passengers have access to an even better dining experience. Tucked away in the JFK, Miami and Los Angeles Flagship Lounges is an exclusive sit-down restaurant experience called Flagship First Dining, which is restricted for first-class passengers flying in three-cabin aircraft (A321T or 777-300ER).

Most of AA's top-tier invitation-only Concierge Key elites are likely already familiar with the Flagship First Dining, as the revenue requirements to get an invitation indicate these passengers have likely flown first class quite a bit. Now, these elites are getting a couple more chances to dine at AA's most exclusive dining rooms.

TPG's resident Concierge Key "Flight Wonk" alerted us to an email that he received Wednesday with two Flagship First Dining passes:



Next time you visit the Flagship Lounge, enjoy our new Flagship First Dining experience — even when you're not flying in Flagship First.
As a ConciergeKey member, we've deposited 2 complimentary Flagship First Dining visits into your American Airlines AAdvantage account.
Here's how it works:
  • Visit the Flagship Lounge in Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK) or Miami (MIA)
  • At lounge check-in, tell us you want to use one of your visits for dining (when you're not flying in FlagshipFirst)*
  • We suggest you arrive at least 2 hours before your flight to enjoy the full experience
  • Use your complimentary visits through January 31, 2020
It's our way of saying thank you for being our best customer.

Concierge Key elites that received the email are directed to view these Flagship First Dining passes in their AAdvantage wallet.

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This is the second time that the airline has sent these passes out to Concierge Key members. In April 2018, CKs received two passes to Flagship First Dining. These had to be used by Jan. 31, 2019, which is the end of AA's elite status membership year. These new passes are good through Jan. 31, 2020.

With reports that AA is demanding Concierge Key elites spend more or be booted and cutbacks in service, it's nice to see that AA is continuing this benefit for a second year. Hopefully for Concierge Key elites, this will become a standard benefit each year.

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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.