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Older posts have been archived here.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Older posts have been archived here.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)
Nov 20, 2018, 6:09 am
#331
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA Gold, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 65
Correct.I don't think it matters because you're not elite anymore.I believe so.Everything except for the extra EQMs or EQDs. LFBU fees don't count towards EQD.
You would pay an extra $15 or $20 over the regular baggage fee depending on when your flight was ticketed. I can't speak to the loads on that route.
You would pay an extra $15 or $20 over the regular baggage fee depending on when your flight was ticketed. I can't speak to the loads on that route.
Nov 20, 2018, 11:34 am
#332
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
Right but would they clear at check in or at the gate? If it's like United you can do a buy up (space available) since the Elite's aren't upgraded till the gate. I would book J to begin with but AVIOS has no J space available to book.. I know the J isn't worth it for that short of a flight but my GF has a gazillion bags (we are on a cruise and then stopping in central florida before returning to NJ) so J with points would've easily covered the difference in class.
Nov 23, 2018, 9:08 pm
#334
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: 6,670
Right but would they clear at check in or at the gate? If it's like United you can do a buy up (space available) since the Elite's aren't upgraded till the gate. I would book J to begin with but AVIOS has no J space available to book.. I know the J isn't worth it for that short of a flight but my GF has a gazillion bags (we are on a cruise and then stopping in central florida before returning to NJ) so J with points would've easily covered the difference in class.
Dec 1, 2018, 4:00 am
#335
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA PLT PRO, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plt. Premier
Posts: 587
AA now offers paid upgrades at check in ?
I did not know AA did this but according to this blogger they do ? Either I missed the news or this is fairly new. No wonder I have not been upgraded on my DFW-SLC flight on Sunday even though there are only 3 occupied FC seats
https://loyaltylobby.com/2018/12/01/...le-investment/
https://loyaltylobby.com/2018/12/01/...le-investment/
Dec 1, 2018, 4:47 am
#337
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
Dec 12, 2018, 5:18 pm
#338
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HND
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,230
Hi all, am flying NRT-DFW on Saturday morning with family of five in economy. Have split the reservation into 2,2, and 1 and requested SWUx4 and miles+evipx1, respectively. Now that it appears few if any of those will clear to business (J2), I'm looking to understand my Premium Economy strategy, if any.
Flight is currently W7, P6 with 8 seats showing open. Does anyone have recent experience with being offered a paid upgrade from Y to W? Does it happen at online check-in (should I do at 24 hours via web or app to improve chances?)? Or is there a reason to wait to check in at the airport?
I'm EXP +1 non-status pax on one of the PNRs. Is there a definitive answer as to if I am eligible for a complimentary upgrade if space available? Said another way, if offered paid upgrade at check-in, should I take it for everyone but me and then hope for comp (if such exists)?
Thanks in advance as always!
Flight is currently W7, P6 with 8 seats showing open. Does anyone have recent experience with being offered a paid upgrade from Y to W? Does it happen at online check-in (should I do at 24 hours via web or app to improve chances?)? Or is there a reason to wait to check in at the airport?
I'm EXP +1 non-status pax on one of the PNRs. Is there a definitive answer as to if I am eligible for a complimentary upgrade if space available? Said another way, if offered paid upgrade at check-in, should I take it for everyone but me and then hope for comp (if such exists)?
Thanks in advance as always!
Dec 15, 2018, 6:48 am
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Hi all, am flying NRT-DFW on Saturday morning with family of five in economy. Have split the reservation into 2,2, and 1 and requested SWUx4 and miles+evipx1, respectively. Now that it appears few if any of those will clear to business (J2), I'm looking to understand my Premium Economy strategy, if any.
Flight is currently W7, P6 with 8 seats showing open. Does anyone have recent experience with being offered a paid upgrade from Y to W? Does it happen at online check-in (should I do at 24 hours via web or app to improve chances?)? Or is there a reason to wait to check in at the airport?
I'm EXP +1 non-status pax on one of the PNRs. Is there a definitive answer as to if I am eligible for a complimentary upgrade if space available? Said another way, if offered paid upgrade at check-in, should I take it for everyone but me and then hope for comp (if such exists)?
Thanks in advance as always!
Flight is currently W7, P6 with 8 seats showing open. Does anyone have recent experience with being offered a paid upgrade from Y to W? Does it happen at online check-in (should I do at 24 hours via web or app to improve chances?)? Or is there a reason to wait to check in at the airport?
I'm EXP +1 non-status pax on one of the PNRs. Is there a definitive answer as to if I am eligible for a complimentary upgrade if space available? Said another way, if offered paid upgrade at check-in, should I take it for everyone but me and then hope for comp (if such exists)?
Thanks in advance as always!
Dec 16, 2018, 12:16 pm
#340
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HND
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,230
So, here's the report. None of the Y to J upgrades cleared.
At check-in, the three who were not on my locator were offered paid upgrades Y to W (Premium Economy) for $400 each, which we declined. When I (EXP) checked in, I was offered complimentary Y to W for me and the other on my locator, which we accepted and flew.
One lesson for others: had all 5 of us been flying on the same record, and there was space in W available, all 5 could have upgraded for $0 based on what the check-in agent told me. So, split the record to improve upgrade to J chances, but if the upgrade doesn't come through, you minimize the potential Y to W free upgrade.
At check-in, the three who were not on my locator were offered paid upgrades Y to W (Premium Economy) for $400 each, which we declined. When I (EXP) checked in, I was offered complimentary Y to W for me and the other on my locator, which we accepted and flew.
One lesson for others: had all 5 of us been flying on the same record, and there was space in W available, all 5 could have upgraded for $0 based on what the check-in agent told me. So, split the record to improve upgrade to J chances, but if the upgrade doesn't come through, you minimize the potential Y to W free upgrade.
Dec 23, 2018, 11:00 am
#341
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: LON, between FAB and EGTD
Programs: OWS - AA Lifetime Platinum, BA nobody (blue)
Posts: 864
Another PE data point.
Mrs. tjcxx flying AA142 JFK/LHR Dec 24 (tomorrow) has been offered Y to PE upgrade for $474 (in the online check-in process).
I had 2 offers early this year for that same flight Y to J for $400. (Which I went for. On the other hand I don't very much rate $474 for Y to PE).
Mrs. tjcxx flying AA142 JFK/LHR Dec 24 (tomorrow) has been offered Y to PE upgrade for $474 (in the online check-in process).
I had 2 offers early this year for that same flight Y to J for $400. (Which I went for. On the other hand I don't very much rate $474 for Y to PE).
Dec 23, 2018, 1:44 pm
#342
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
So far, this is one very elite-friendly policy of AA vs. UA -- AA seemingly only offers these LFBU upgrades when SWU/miles/sticker/BE upgrades have cleared and there is still space. UA, on the other hand, aggressively offers the upgrades even if there is a long list of folks awaiting an upgrade.
Dec 24, 2018, 2:38 am
#343
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: LON, between FAB and EGTD
Programs: OWS - AA Lifetime Platinum, BA nobody (blue)
Posts: 864
Another PE data point.
Mrs. tjcxx flying AA142 JFK/LHR Dec 24 (tomorrow) has been offered Y to PE upgrade for $474 (in the online check-in process).
I had 2 offers early this year for that same flight Y to J for $400. (Which I went for. On the other hand I don't very much rate $474 for Y to PE).
Mrs. tjcxx flying AA142 JFK/LHR Dec 24 (tomorrow) has been offered Y to PE upgrade for $474 (in the online check-in process).
I had 2 offers early this year for that same flight Y to J for $400. (Which I went for. On the other hand I don't very much rate $474 for Y to PE).
Dec 24, 2018, 12:06 pm
#344
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AA
Posts: 872
When are purchased upgrades offered
im flying a two leg trip home tomorrow. About 24 h out as of now. Was hoping to get an offer to upgrade the second and longer leg of the two but only got offered the upgrade on the short hop to dfw. Seems there are business seats available on the longer leg.
Will keep checking to see if it comes available but are they expecting me to upgrade the 1 hour flight before offering the longer flight?
i was offered the upgrade on the way down but did not take it as there were two of us traveling.
Will keep checking to see if it comes available but are they expecting me to upgrade the 1 hour flight before offering the longer flight?
i was offered the upgrade on the way down but did not take it as there were two of us traveling.