After looking through the coupon connection, I've come to realize that the best plan is probably to a) subscribe to EF and check availability and then b) trade miles or something else I have for eVIPs. It appears that for between 30k and 50k miles, what it would cost me anyway, I can acquire the eVIPs and book the cheapest flight.

My only question remaining... to use an eVIP to go to Biz from Coach, I need to check for C inventory, right?