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Older posts have been archived here.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Older posts have been archived here.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)
May 9, 2018, 7:00 pm
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
For me kiosk on the way to PEK (since cant check in online due to visa check) and on app for the return.
May 10, 2018, 9:43 am
#303
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Was offered Y-F on the first ORD-CLT flight tomorrow morning for $72, took it, later learned no breakfast on this flight. Oh well!
At check-in, I was offered an upgrade ORD-CLT, but not CLT-NAS. Was this because it wasn't T-24 till CLT-NAS? Is there another way to purchase a potential CLT-NAS LFBU other than waiting until we get to the kiosk tomorrow morning?
At check-in, I was offered an upgrade ORD-CLT, but not CLT-NAS. Was this because it wasn't T-24 till CLT-NAS? Is there another way to purchase a potential CLT-NAS LFBU other than waiting until we get to the kiosk tomorrow morning?
May 10, 2018, 12:05 pm
#304
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AA EP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 636
Was offered Y-F on the first ORD-CLT flight tomorrow morning for $72, took it, later learned no breakfast on this flight. Oh well!
At check-in, I was offered an upgrade ORD-CLT, but not CLT-NAS. Was this because it wasn't T-24 till CLT-NAS? Is there another way to purchase a potential CLT-NAS LFBU other than waiting until we get to the kiosk tomorrow morning?
At check-in, I was offered an upgrade ORD-CLT, but not CLT-NAS. Was this because it wasn't T-24 till CLT-NAS? Is there another way to purchase a potential CLT-NAS LFBU other than waiting until we get to the kiosk tomorrow morning?
May 10, 2018, 12:22 pm
#305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,268
Was offered Y-F on the first ORD-CLT flight tomorrow morning for $72, took it, later learned no breakfast on this flight. Oh well!
At check-in, I was offered an upgrade ORD-CLT, but not CLT-NAS. Was this because it wasn't T-24 till CLT-NAS? Is there another way to purchase a potential CLT-NAS LFBU other than waiting until we get to the kiosk tomorrow morning?
At check-in, I was offered an upgrade ORD-CLT, but not CLT-NAS. Was this because it wasn't T-24 till CLT-NAS? Is there another way to purchase a potential CLT-NAS LFBU other than waiting until we get to the kiosk tomorrow morning?
May 19, 2018, 5:00 pm
#308
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
Or can I check in online and then re-check in at the airport?
Last edited by Marsh11; May 19, 2018 at 6:08 pm
May 20, 2018, 9:11 am
#309
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
Would this mean that it is better (in terms of being offered an upgrade) to wait until arriving at the airport to check in vs. checking in 24h in advance online? I always thought that checking in earlier was better.
Or can I check in online and then re-check in at the airport?
Or can I check in online and then re-check in at the airport?
“LFBU / DODU (Load Factor Based Upgrades and Day Of Departure Upgrades) 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).”
I don’t know about rechecking, but one can certainly inquire at the check-in counter.
May 21, 2018, 7:52 am
#310
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Would this mean that it is better (in terms of being offered an upgrade) to wait until arriving at the airport to check in vs. checking in 24h in advance online? I always thought that checking in earlier was better.
Or can I check in online and then re-check in at the airport?
Or can I check in online and then re-check in at the airport?
Post-script to our trip last weekend: We had purchased preferred seats on the ORD-CLT and CLT-NAS segments, and I applied for a refund for the ORD-CLT segments. AA gave us refunds on the ORD-CLT and CLT-NAS preferred seats. I don't intend to tell them about their mistake.
May 29, 2018, 4:51 pm
#311
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL DM, 1MM AA PLT 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, and...Smiles Diamante
Posts: 2,783
My GRU-DFW flight in an hour has six seats open in first. They advise no paid upgrades if you’re on a mileage ticket. I think I saw this in the rather old wiki, but is this still the case? Seems a bit dumb—leaving revenue on the table.
May 29, 2018, 4:57 pm
#312
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
Don't have an answer for you, but curious why EF shows F6/A5 when the seat map shows 3 open seats.
Jul 5, 2018, 3:33 pm
#313
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,318
Does AA sell upgrades to domestic First?
Work bought me a domestic coach ticket that I'd use personal funds to upgrade to First. I usually fly United, and those reservations often have an upgrade-with-cash option to domestic First.
Where do I find it on AA?
Thanks!
BCH
Where do I find it on AA?
Thanks!
BCH
Jul 5, 2018, 3:37 pm
#314
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
Call in and ask for a $ amount to "up-fare". There is a separate thread on here about it.
Jul 5, 2018, 4:21 pm
#315
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Land of 10,000 Upgrades
Posts: 9,465