Dec 7, 2012, 7:35 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Load Factor Based Upgrades (LFBU) and Day Of Departure Upgrades (DODU)
These generally relate to Non-elite, space-available, kiosk, online and counter upgrades which may be available close to departure if there is unused (after sales and pending upgrades) inventory once the flight has passed to airport control; these are available for payment (normally, credit card).
• On line check in offers may be made at the time of check-in, including with the AA app.
• Kiosk-based LFBUs may be offered at the Self-Service (Check-in) Machines ("kiosk") (and occasionally with online check-in) if there are seats available - as per the AA wording and the FAQ (see first post). One may be offered a LFBU on an award ticket.
• Counter Upgrades may be offered at the ticket counter or Admirals Club in the USA or at non-stateside locations on occasion, usually announced by a small sign visible to passengers checking in at the ticket counter or Club. They may be offered (or not) and may cost as much as $750 (or more) for a longhaul transocean flight.
As per other upgrades, one earns miles / points at the level of the originally purchased fare.
Older posts have been archived here.
These generally relate to Non-elite, space-available, kiosk, online and counter upgrades which may be available close to departure if there is unused (after sales and pending upgrades) inventory once the flight has passed to airport control; these are available for payment (normally, credit card).
• On line check in offers may be made at the time of check-in, including with the AA app.
• Kiosk-based LFBUs may be offered at the Self-Service (Check-in) Machines ("kiosk") (and occasionally with online check-in) if there are seats available - as per the AA wording and the FAQ (see first post). One may be offered a LFBU on an award ticket.
• Counter Upgrades may be offered at the ticket counter or Admirals Club in the USA or at non-stateside locations on occasion, usually announced by a small sign visible to passengers checking in at the ticket counter or Club. They may be offered (or not) and may cost as much as $750 (or more) for a longhaul transocean flight.
As per other upgrades, one earns miles / points at the level of the originally purchased fare.
Older posts have been archived here.
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
Jul 24, 2016, 1:45 pm
#181
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Berlin
Posts: 148
How propable are cash offers for upgrade domestic flights ?
i will fly MIA-LAX on AA´s 777-300ER.
If i book Economy, how probably are cash offers to Business ?
If there are, comes this offers after reservation or later at Checkinn ?
And, anybody have experiences about the price ?
An economy Ticket costs actual about 200 $, Business 600 $..
If i book Economy, how probably are cash offers to Business ?
If there are, comes this offers after reservation or later at Checkinn ?
And, anybody have experiences about the price ?
An economy Ticket costs actual about 200 $, Business 600 $..
Jul 24, 2016, 4:14 pm
#183
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,631
i will fly MIA-LAX on AA´s 777-300ER.
If i book Economy, how probably are cash offers to Business ?
If there are, comes this offers after reservation or later at Checkinn ?
And, anybody have experiences about the price ?
An economy Ticket costs actual about 200 $, Business 600 $..
If i book Economy, how probably are cash offers to Business ?
If there are, comes this offers after reservation or later at Checkinn ?
And, anybody have experiences about the price ?
An economy Ticket costs actual about 200 $, Business 600 $..
Jul 25, 2016, 1:59 am
#184
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 92
What's the difference between LFBU and "counter upgrades" besides being offered in different channels? People said LFBU are only offered during Online CI and kiosks but my receipt of an upgrade paid during CI with an agent said "LFB Upgrade". I guess they are all based on load factor, right?
Aug 21, 2016, 3:48 pm
#186
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
LBU MQM question
Quick question - when you pay for an LBU for business class at check in - are you in C class, or are you in another fare class eligible for additional MQM etc.?
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 21, 2016 at 8:37 pm Reason: Restore original post title
Aug 21, 2016, 3:53 pm
#187
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Just to check -- are you referring to flights on AA or Delta? Only Delta calls their status-earning miles "MQM"; on AA they're elite qualifying miles, or EQM. And an upgrade offered at check-in on AA is a "load factor based upgrade," LFBU.
Anyhow, on AA you do not earn extra miles for any type of upgrade (unless you actually pay the fare difference between economy and business/first).
For other basic questions about AA and AAdvantage, I'd suggest checking the resources in the "PLEASE READ" link at the top of the forum, or if you're having trouble finding an answer, asking the friendly Newbie Lounge here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...lame-free.html
Aug 21, 2016, 8:33 pm
#188
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Your best source here is the existing thread for LFBU,
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html.
As indicated in the Wikipost at the top of the page:
As per other upgrades, one earns miles / points at the level of the originally purchased fare.
Oct 16, 2016, 7:05 pm
#190
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
Does AA sell domestic UFC?
Flying XXX-DFW tomorrow within T-24. The flight is selling F7A5
Because I'm booked on a codeshare I couldn't upgrade with stickers. I thought AA offered upgrades for cash when there aren't elites waitlisted for seats (which presumably they aren't at F7A5)... But I didn't get an upsell offer during check-in in the mobile app.
I'm planning to ask about a sticker upgrade when I get to the airport tomorrow, but would pay to confirm the upgrade to F tonight if they sell it at a reasonable price...
Thanks in advance for any advice
Because I'm booked on a codeshare I couldn't upgrade with stickers. I thought AA offered upgrades for cash when there aren't elites waitlisted for seats (which presumably they aren't at F7A5)... But I didn't get an upsell offer during check-in in the mobile app.
I'm planning to ask about a sticker upgrade when I get to the airport tomorrow, but would pay to confirm the upgrade to F tonight if they sell it at a reasonable price...
Thanks in advance for any advice
Oct 17, 2016, 6:45 am
#191
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
Yes, AA does occasionally sell upgrades if upgrade waitlist demand will be met. However, upgrades on many routes are clearing very late these days. Although I generally agree with you that if it's still F7A5, the likelihood of "leftover" F seats is pretty high, there is a small chance that revenue management hasn't opted to clear the upgrade list yet.
Don't bother asking anyone at the airport. Paid upgrades, if available, would be offered through the kiosk.
Don't bother asking anyone at the airport. Paid upgrades, if available, would be offered through the kiosk.
Oct 19, 2016, 4:46 pm
#192
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Oct 21, 2016, 9:32 am
#194
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Feb 21, 2017, 3:41 pm
#195
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, OWE
Posts: 132
Buying an upgrade as a non AA member?
I'm flying HEL-JFK-LAX, and I'm traveling as a Finnair (AY) member, but the JFK-LAX leg is ticketed as a AA flight, and naturally operated as well by AA.
When I transfer at JFK, can I buy an upgrade eco to business / first and is there any set price for such a thing? I've tried to ask for it before on the same leg, but the only answer I got was that there's no upgrades available.
I'm a OWE member / AY Platinum, and I do have a AA account as well (basic tier).
When I transfer at JFK, can I buy an upgrade eco to business / first and is there any set price for such a thing? I've tried to ask for it before on the same leg, but the only answer I got was that there's no upgrades available.
I'm a OWE member / AY Platinum, and I do have a AA account as well (basic tier).