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DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)

Old Dec 7, 2012, 7:35 pm
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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.



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DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)

Old Sep 19, 2015, 10:08 am
  #46  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,622
If seats are available, AA offers Load Factor Based Upgrades (LFBU) at check-in. See this thread. You could also use miles+copay to upgrade anytime, assuming C availability.
Austin787 is offline  
Old Sep 23, 2015, 1:03 am
  #47  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA, DL, UA
Posts: 543
Lax-jfk lfbu

Was offered LFBU LAX-JFK, J-F, for around $220. Declined, but wondering if it would be worth it next time -- got a couple of more flights coming up.

Anyone with a similar experience can comment? I find that the J product is already pretty decent.

On another note, definitely would have done it had it been Y-J but suspect that LFBU's would be much more harder to come across as the J cabin is usually packed full.

@:-) Wondering if the trend that AA is processing SWU's at the gate now for most routes is so that it can earn more $$$ from LFBU's via kiosk purchases. If so,
supermintyfresh is offline  
Old Sep 25, 2015, 2:09 pm
  #48  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 309
domestic LFB upgrade

At OLCI, I was offered an LFB upgrade on DCA-MIA flight for $100. Does that sound like typical price? (I was on heavily discounted nonrefundable coach fare, if that matters).

I accepted the offer. Just wondering if the price was what you might expect.
Chamor is offline  
Old Sep 25, 2015, 2:16 pm
  #49  
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,534
Check out this thread.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html

this will probably end up merged there anyway.
Long Train Runnin is offline  
Old Sep 25, 2015, 2:37 pm
  #50  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA, DL, UA
Posts: 543
Originally Posted by Chamor
I accepted the offer. Just wondering if the price was what you might expect.
Yep sounds like it. It's usually one price -- $45/500 mile segment. DCA-MIA is 919 mi so $45*2 (plus taxes I'm guessing?)
supermintyfresh is offline  
Old Oct 1, 2015, 9:33 am
  #51  
747
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: East Hampton/Dorado Beach
Posts: 591
MIA-BOG. Offered upgrade at online checking for $200

Took it
747 is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2015, 2:46 am
  #52  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: co down
Programs: etihad guest silver/ba bronze
Posts: 181
Just missed out on the upgrade as only one seat left.
One small point:
I was shocked at no seat back entertainment on a tatl!
Big screens in the main cabin showing a 90's movie is pretty lame!
eiflyer is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2015, 7:28 pm
  #53  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
AA's 757s do leave a bit to be desired in Y on TATL flights.
mikelat is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2015, 1:36 pm
  #54  
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: is everything...but...
Programs: dont matter anymore...
Posts: 3,019
GRU-DFW J to F US$550 at the kiosk. No thanks.
flipside is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2015, 2:37 pm
  #55  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,043
On routes which usually serve meals in the premium cabins, how often have LFBUs resulted in no meals? Last year, I did one on AC without realizing last minute upgrades usually don't get a meal.
Sant is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2015, 3:36 pm
  #56  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,592
Originally Posted by Sant
On routes which usually serve meals in the premium cabins, how often have LFBUs resulted in no meals? Last year, I did one on AC without realizing last minute upgrades usually don't get a meal.
At the kiosk it's clearly indicated meal (at cdg)
CGRA is offline  
Old Oct 14, 2015, 9:29 am
  #57  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 886
I have never purchased a LFBU on AA for a flight that operated during normal meal times and not received a meal. Special request meals aren't going to happen (maybe if you purchase at T-24), but you'll get your choice of steak or fish.
abefroman329 is offline  
Old Oct 14, 2015, 4:26 pm
  #58  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,592
Originally Posted by abefroman329
I have never purchased a LFBU on AA for a flight that operated during normal meal times and not received a meal. Special request meals aren't going to happen (maybe if you purchase at T-24), but you'll get your choice of steak or fish.
They'll serve your Y special meal. They sometimes refused me the regular J meal when ordering a Y special meal.
CGRA is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2015, 12:36 pm
  #59  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 886
Originally Posted by CGRA
They'll serve your Y special meal. They sometimes refused me the regular J meal when ordering a Y special meal.
Huh. I've never LFBU'd on a flight that served a meal in Y.
abefroman329 is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2015, 9:42 am
  #60  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold
Posts: 274
Paid to upgrade but no extra points: Can somene help? [to merge]

Hi

I flew from Chicago to London on Wednesday. I was booked in coach but at online check-in I was offered a deal to upgrade to Business for $410, which I took.

But I have only been credited with points for coach.

I called and was told - and I don't quite understand this - that my ticket hadn't been "exchanged" for a coach to Business one and even though I had paid, I wasn't entitled for any extra points.

Does anyone know if this is true. I don't really want another 50 minute phone call only to be told the same.

Can someone explain? Basically I just want to know if AA is correct

Thanks
Whenderson is offline  

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