Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - EVA Air upgrade certificate protocol?

I am a Diamond on EVA Air, and I transferred 2 of my upgrade certs to my mom (green member) so that she can upgrade roundtrip from Elite to Premium Laurel. However, the lady who assisted me says that EVA will wait until the last minute to confirm the upgrade b/c "they want to try to sell revenue tickets before they give away upgrades (N class)". :confused:

Does anyone have any tips to try to get my mom's upgrade confirmed faster? This is no way to treat a Diamond member's family! :mad:

Funny Ms Jimbo just had a chat with EVA in Taiwan about this. They confirmed that without status her position is no different from what it would be had she got the miles herself.

And that position seems pretty bleak these days. I was getting this stuff as gold (never used to) where they keep you hanging on - even when it's obvious that they are not going to sell the tickets.

I did start a thread a while back so people could collate their experience, though it didn't really get off the ground.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other-asian-australian-south-pacific-frequent-flyer-programs/1299485-eva-air-pls-post-your-award-ticket-upgrade-experience-here.html

I think the only solution is to have a go yourself. Call Taiwan and try to "push" them. They sometimes break under pressure.

Since they go by the flyer's status and not the "donator," she is at the bottom of the list. I'm lucky if my upgrade requests get cleared at all these days, let alone more than 24 hours out (so I can pre-order my meal).

If it was us, our PNR would show a PA request which is the highest priority. You mom will show a PD...

Would EVA rather let a flight depart with empty seats in PL vs allocating multiple N class seats to accommodate multiple upgrade requests?

They will attempt to clear the upgrades within 24 hours of flight and they would let the plane run out empty cause the benefits outweights the risks. To them, revenue flights = 0 profit no matter what.

They will attempt to clear the upgrades within 24 hours of flight and they would let the plane run out empty cause the benefits outweights the risks. To them, revenue flights = 0 profit no matter what.

Just to clarify, the (more recent) policy is to try to sell the seats until 24h prior, then during that time they would honor upgrade requests for the seats available, by the order of A) Diamond, B) Gold, C) Silvers?

Or is it they will honor some (selectively) and rather fly out empty? That reminds me of what some have said about other carriers, say JAL, where the J cabin is completely empty at times...no upgrades granted.

Just to clarify, the (more recent) policy is to try to sell the seats until 24h prior, then during that time they would honor upgrade requests for the seats available, by the order of A) Diamond, B) Gold, C) Silvers?

Or is it they will honor some (selectively) and rather fly out empty? That reminds me of what some have said about other carriers, say JAL, where the J cabin is completely empty at times...no upgrades granted.

Unless you are Diamond I don't think they will confirm your bookings until 72 hours prior to flight. If you have no status it's most likely within 24 hours.

Ah ok, so they will try to accommodate non-Diamonds within the final 24h, as I've experienced and others have discussed; in answer to the above question, they will allocate empty (unsold) seats to upgrade requests in the final 24h for non-Diamonds. In recent months, I've had some friends who've attempted to upgrade with miles, non-Diamond, on LAX-TPE and it is usually down to the final 24h. Recently though the flights have been full in PL so the upgrade request didn't go through.

Ah ok, so they will try to accommodate non-Diamonds within the final 24h, as I've experienced and others have discussed; in answer to the above question, they will allocate empty (unsold) seats to upgrade requests in the final 24h for non-Diamonds. In recent months, I've had some friends who've attempted to upgrade with miles, non-Diamond, on LAX-TPE and it is usually down to the final 24h. Recently though the flights have been full in PL so the upgrade request didn't go through.

You read it incorrectly.

Diamonds may get confirmed prior to 72 hours, but might be within 72 hours.

Gold/Silver may get confirmed within 72 hours, most likely not before 72 hours unless the original allocated 1 seat per flight is not taken.

Members with NO STATUS are most likely within 24 hours and rarely before than unless the original allocated 1 seat per flight is not taken.

If N-class inventory was available (1 seat per flight), I had upgrades confirmed at the time of booking, most of them TPE-LAX-TPE.

April 2012 - booked October 2011 - confirmed at booking
August & Dec 2012 - booked March 2011 - confirmed at booking

For last minute booking or flight change, upgrades usually confirmed around 72 hours before departure. Since I am somewhat flexible, I look for flights with high Z-class inventory.

For last minute booking or flight change, upgrades usually confirmed around 72 hours before departure. Since I am somewhat flexible, I look for flights with high Z-class inventory.

I booked JFK-TPE 3/8 flight L class on 3/5 and got N confirmed at the booking thru TA. It was 72 hr out and I am gold. The PL cabin was full at that flight.

Any software to check EVA Z inventory ? Like EF(expert flyer)? I know I can check CI by EF. My TA won't tell me exact how many empty PL seats left? I used to use dummy booking to see if Z is available at that time to guess Z inventory. But EVA sometimes release Z inventory only within 48 hr before departure. Thanks!

Diamonds may get confirmed prior to 72 hours, but might be within 72 hours.

Gold/Silver may get confirmed within 72 hours, most likely not before 72 hours unless the original allocated 1 seat per flight is not taken.

Members with NO STATUS are most likely within 24 hours and rarely before than unless the original allocated 1 seat per flight is not taken.

Thanks for making it crystal clear! ^^

Man, EVAs practices are so stingy. I will be switching to CX after my Diamond expires.

Man, EVAs practices are so stingy. I will be switching to CX after my Diamond expires.

That is currently my plan too - especially since CX is coming out with a premium econ. product.

That is currently my plan too - especially since CX is coming out with a premium econ. product.


That is my possible plan to switch to CX too. I just booked JFK-HKG-TPE RT premium economy R class for my May trip at around $200 more than EVA Q class. ( similar price as EVA M class) I think it reasonable since I can choose to stopover at HKG without charge while I can enjoy better ambience at smaller cabin for transpacific leg. (34 seats compare to 70 in EVA Elite cabin)

CX is now much more generous to offer double AM miles if the flight complete before June 30. I thought it is much attractive when CX can offer 4 daily flight from NY to HKG comparing EVA's 4 flights weekly.It does save a lot of time when you travel for business. I don't know how many EVA flyer will be leaving in the end.......

That is my possible plan to switch to CX too. I just booked JFK-HKG-TPE RT premium economy R class for my May trip at around $200 more than EVA Q class. ( similar price as EVA M class) I think it reasonable since I can choose to stopover at HKG without charge while I can enjoy better ambience at smaller cabin for transpacific leg. (34 seats compare to 70 in EVA Elite cabin)

CX is now much more generous to offer double AM miles if the flight complete before June 30. I thought it is much attractive when CX can offer 4 daily flight from NY to HKG comparing EVA's 4 flights weekly.It does save a lot of time when you travel for business. I don't know how many EVA flyer will be leaving in the end.......

Since I have my AA lifetime PLT status, I will get lounge access and priority check-in/bags anyway for CX anyway. So unless BR does something drastic with their program by the end of next Feb., I'll be gone.

I just found out this thread and the 24-hour rule is exactly what happened to my family when they came to the States this summer. I was just wondering why my parents waited so long before getting an upgrade confirmation whereas it only took me (a Silver) a few days after request (even on Christmas peak).

I am also getting more and more interested in CX. We should ... discuss what's the good and down sides on switching to CX.

I just found out this thread and the 24-hour rule is exactly what happened to my family when they came to the States this summer. I was just wondering why my parents waited so long before getting an upgrade confirmation whereas it only took me (a Silver) a few days after request (even on Christmas peak).

I am also getting more and more interested in CX. We should ... discuss what's the good and down sides on switching to CX.
you're pretty lucky to get your upgrade cleared at all on silver