ARCHIVE: LFBU / DODU: Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (consol)
Feb 5, 2013, 8:20 am
#556
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA PLATINUM
Posts: 127
Went to check in last night for Pit-Dfw today, and AA offered upgrade to 1st...
For an additional $130. I bought the ticket for my brother to come visit, so I bought the upgrade to surprise him when he gets to the airport. I have never been offered an opportunity to buy an upgrade on AA before. Is this new Or am I out of touch?
Feb 5, 2013, 8:23 am
#557
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT, UA Silver, EK Gold, Hilton Diamond, Global Entry, Clear
Posts: 1,082
Feb 5, 2013, 8:32 am
#558
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,420
As mentioned in the GuidePost for this thread, AA has indeed been offering LBFU's for select flights during the online check-in process. Members have reported seeing this for both international and domestic flights.
We've gone ahead and merged the recent thread with this existing discussion. Thanks!
/Moderator
Feb 5, 2013, 10:12 am
#559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
I feel like I've won a prize when this happens to me. I know that I have to pay $ to get the upgrade but it really cheers me up to have this happen.
Feb 11, 2013, 11:52 am
#560
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 25K only, he said through tears from the back of the aircraft...
Posts: 563
Flying YYZ-MIA-SJU on 13 Feb, and the reverse on 18 Feb.
Has anyone seen LFBU on these routes and remembers the cost?
Thanks!
Has anyone seen LFBU on these routes and remembers the cost?
Thanks!
Feb 23, 2013, 10:05 am
#561
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,509
Upgrading flight booked with points [miles - LFBU on award flight]
I did a search but did not find anything - I always assumed flights using miles were not eligible for comp Explat upgrades. The other day I flew on a booking made with Avios and had no trouble requesting an upgrade on the kiosk and clearing at the gate. Is this normal? Is it the same for Aadvantage awards?
Incidentally on one of the flights I was the only person seated in F. I figure that doesn't happen too often.
Incidentally on one of the flights I was the only person seated in F. I figure that doesn't happen too often.
Feb 23, 2013, 10:08 am
#562
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,539
I found this in the FAQ (where is says "please check here first") - in the Upgrades section.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15556947-post31.html
Cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15556947-post31.html
Cheers.
Feb 23, 2013, 10:18 am
#563
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,509
Thanks brp. So according to that I was ineligible to upgrade, yet was still able to. Does anyone else have similar experience?
Feb 23, 2013, 11:16 am
#564
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southern California/Los Angeles
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,778
Let's hope this thread gets shut down....the fewer people that know the better
Feb 23, 2013, 12:10 pm
#565
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MIA/LAS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood PLT
Posts: 572
My wife and I got upgraded on both segments of a flight we took last week that I purchased on miles. I'm PLT and I think what happened was the flights were overbooked so they upgraded those with status, though I still don't understand how I got onto the list altogether if you can't upgrade a points ticket. I'm not complaining though, not only did they upgrade us, they didn't charge me any 500-mile certificates.
Feb 23, 2013, 1:25 pm
#566
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
My wife and I got upgraded on both segments of a flight we took last week that I purchased on miles. I'm PLT and I think what happened was the flights were overbooked so they upgraded those with status, though I still don't understand how I got onto the list altogether if you can't upgrade a points ticket. I'm not complaining though, not only did they upgrade us, they didn't charge me any 500-mile certificates.
Feb 23, 2013, 3:41 pm
#567
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 12
I did a search but did not find anything - I always assumed flights using miles were not eligible for comp Explat upgrades. The other day I flew on a booking made with Avios and had no trouble requesting an upgrade on the kiosk and clearing at the gate. Is this normal? Is it the same for Aadvantage awards?
Incidentally on one of the flights I was the only person seated in F. I figure that doesn't happen too often.
Incidentally on one of the flights I was the only person seated in F. I figure that doesn't happen too often.
Feb 23, 2013, 7:45 pm
#568
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
The FAQ question brp linked to indicates LFBUs (Load Factor Based Upgrades) may be offered. Others, iirc, have reported being offered LFBU at the kiosk when checking in, even occasionally on award flights. I don't think there's anything really new here. It may be the "LFBU" thread reports some of these upgrades, but I'm not sure. In any case, congratulations.
• Can I upgrade an Award ticket?
Passengers traveling on Award tickets are not eligible to use 500-mile electronic upgrades (stickers), systemwide upgrades (SWU, eVIP), or Award Upgrades (miles + copay). However, these passengers may be offered the opportunity to purchase an upgrade (LFBU) when checking in at an airport kiosk.
In addition, it is possible to convert an Economy Award to a new Business or First Award for the appropriate number of additional miles without incurring a redeposit fee. However, the awards must be in the same category (MileSAAver vs. AAnytime).
Passengers traveling on Award tickets are not eligible to use 500-mile electronic upgrades (stickers), systemwide upgrades (SWU, eVIP), or Award Upgrades (miles + copay). However, these passengers may be offered the opportunity to purchase an upgrade (LFBU) when checking in at an airport kiosk.
In addition, it is possible to convert an Economy Award to a new Business or First Award for the appropriate number of additional miles without incurring a redeposit fee. However, the awards must be in the same category (MileSAAver vs. AAnytime).
Apr 11, 2013, 9:50 am
#569
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK countryside
Posts: 1,031
Hi. I've read through the FAQ and this thread and can't seem to find the answer to my question
My wife flew LHR-ORD a couple weeks ago and took the LFBU offer of $500 from Y to J at online checkin. Looking at her mileage account she's only been credited the EQP for her original Y fare basis. Is that correct? Seems to me that a paid (albeit discounted) upgrade to J should qualify for J EQPs
She's doing a Plat challenge, and getting the J EQPs would put her over the line without another trip!
My wife flew LHR-ORD a couple weeks ago and took the LFBU offer of $500 from Y to J at online checkin. Looking at her mileage account she's only been credited the EQP for her original Y fare basis. Is that correct? Seems to me that a paid (albeit discounted) upgrade to J should qualify for J EQPs
She's doing a Plat challenge, and getting the J EQPs would put her over the line without another trip!
Apr 11, 2013, 10:15 am
#570
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Hi. I've read through the FAQ and this thread and can't seem to find the answer to my question
My wife flew LHR-ORD a couple weeks ago and took the LFBU offer of $500 from Y to J at online checkin. Looking at her mileage account she's only been credited the EQP for her original Y fare basis. Is that correct? Seems to me that a paid (albeit discounted) upgrade to J should qualify for J EQPs
She's doing a Plat challenge, and getting the J EQPs would put her over the line without another trip!
My wife flew LHR-ORD a couple weeks ago and took the LFBU offer of $500 from Y to J at online checkin. Looking at her mileage account she's only been credited the EQP for her original Y fare basis. Is that correct? Seems to me that a paid (albeit discounted) upgrade to J should qualify for J EQPs
She's doing a Plat challenge, and getting the J EQPs would put her over the line without another trip!