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Older posts have been archived here.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Older posts have been archived here.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)
Mar 29, 2018, 4:13 pm
#286
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 171
See the LFBU thread https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thd-18.html
AA offers these upgrades to all passengers at check in if the situation arises. This only occurs if there are surplus seats in the J cabin AA expects not to sell and not enough elite upgrade requests by SWU or other mileage + copay upgrade requests to fulfill available inventory. Unclear if PE would be given a cheaper upgrade "price" than economy, I'll let others chime in but it wouldn't surprise me as the incremental difference would be smaller. Hope you enjoyed the J cabin.
AA offers these upgrades to all passengers at check in if the situation arises. This only occurs if there are surplus seats in the J cabin AA expects not to sell and not enough elite upgrade requests by SWU or other mileage + copay upgrade requests to fulfill available inventory. Unclear if PE would be given a cheaper upgrade "price" than economy, I'll let others chime in but it wouldn't surprise me as the incremental difference would be smaller. Hope you enjoyed the J cabin.
Mar 29, 2018, 4:36 pm
#287
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
AA's much upgraded the J experience in the last few years, especially with hard product, improved bedding, and good IFE/headphones (Bose). On the 787s and 777s seats are better than most if not all of the European carriers. Food and FAs are where it can be a bit more inconsistent, and where AA and other US carriers (sometimes) get their due criticism. I find most int'l FAs on AA are good; some are great; and a few are surly / poor, but most of the time it's a solid, if not overly premium-feeling soft product
Mar 30, 2018, 1:06 am
#288
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,675
$610 seems like the rate it "should" be from regular Y (or at least close to it -- $650 wouldn't surprise me), doesn't sound like there was a discount for PE, or not a sizable one in any case. Used to be $550 couple years back, things have gone up a little.
Apr 5, 2018, 10:10 am
#290
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Apr 15, 2018, 10:55 pm
#292
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 719
Checked in about 2.5 hours before departure FCO-DFW. Offered upgrade to PE for $366. Pass - husband got DFW-FCO for free on BExrAA ticket on the way over. Will roll the dice. 
Last edited by WalruSara; Apr 17, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Apr 16, 2018, 2:15 pm
#294
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Richmond, VA
Programs: AA (Gold)
Posts: 302
When we talk 24 hours - would the upgrade on an international connection be offered within 24 hours of the first flight or the connecting flight?
Example: Domestic flight leaves 3pm, connecting international flight (which you are hoping for an LFBU on) leaves 6pm. Would you be offered a LFBU on the 6pm flight if you check in at 3pm the previous day (24 hours prior to the domestic flight), or is it best to wait to check in until 24 hours prior (6pm) to the flight you are hoping to actually be offered an upgrade on?
Example: Domestic flight leaves 3pm, connecting international flight (which you are hoping for an LFBU on) leaves 6pm. Would you be offered a LFBU on the 6pm flight if you check in at 3pm the previous day (24 hours prior to the domestic flight), or is it best to wait to check in until 24 hours prior (6pm) to the flight you are hoping to actually be offered an upgrade on?
May 9, 2018, 6:18 pm
#299
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
Another data point, $500 upgrade to biz on the 777 JFK-BCN upon online check-in.
For a <$500 economy ticket, it's not bad.
For a <$500 economy ticket, it's not bad.
Last edited by FlyerWx; May 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm Reason: Add "online" for check-in method