Originally Posted by
skimthetrees
My take: If you have been monitoring upcoming dates and have not seen any EVA "I" saver awards released within 4 days of travel and since you have already been checking *A with nothing showing, probably nothing is coming. Do you have a copay for the Econ + 30k miles? Plus Points? If it were me, unless I had good reason to believe an EVA award would materialize less than 4 days from travel I would be taking the guaranteed option.
Yes for United, we paid $571 one way (SFO to TPE) + $600 copay + 30K miles (confirmed) + 300 one way (ORD to SFO). The ORD to TPE route via SFO wasn't confirmable and had a much higher price when booking (ORD to TPE) on one record locator on United). In total, I guess its about the same as Eva's $1,400 (Economy fare one way - to buy up for upgrade) + 30K UA miles to apply. Note Premium Economy round trip on EVA is only $2k. EVA should improve their revenue management team and release these award upgrades as HALF of the business class is empty <3 days.