randywei

I have had many successes using a SAUA when there is no "I" class available. I don't use KVS or CS to check though. I just call EVA directly and ask them if they have Z-class upgradeable seats available on my flights of interest.

There have been times when I call and they ask if I'm using United miles to upgrade and if I replied yes, then they told me there were no I-class seats available. I continue to tell them I just want to know if there are Z-class seats available. When Z-class seats were available and I-class weren't, I would still be successful in upgrading using a SAUA.

My friends and I recently did this a few months ago. 3 of us all got upgraded on SFO-TPE and TPE-SFO when Z-class seats were available, but I-class weren't. Again, this is Z-class vs I-class per what EVA reps tell me when I call, not via any of the tools.

asovse1

DP for anyone interested, since I've been following this thread for a while and nothing really made sense, the last post relevant to me was in March and it was pretty annoying to filter out the misinformation. Btw, thanks to Gengar it was your confident post that made me pull the trigger and you were right all along.
Booked: Today, July 3
Travel: January 2019/February 2019
SAUA program: Aeroplan, 25k points per way
BR 9 to upgrade to BUSINESS in this itinerary: YEG - [YVR - TPE] - SGN
Z = 8, I = 0, but agent confirmed Z is what mattered. ExpertFlyer only shows I, you have to call in to get Z availability
Hold time at 13:00 UTC-5: 30 mins to North American reservations number for Z availability check
75 seconds between clicking buy button on evaair.com and upgrade confirmed on Aeroplan site (to be fair I was probably too quick that if the upgrade declined I'd be freaking out)

Original fare booking classes: YEG -> YVR in S, YVR -> TPE -> SGN in B, SGN -> TPE -> YVR in Q, YVR -> YEG in K. YEG segments on AC.

escape4

I have a B-fare flight on EVA which was upgraded to Z. If I change my ticket to fly with another airline, I guess I will drop back in economy (B) but will I get my miles back?

asovse1

If you did it with Aeroplan, I think this is what happens from their T&C:

dgun25

I was trying to book a B class ticket on eva to upgrade to business, as I usually have done. I have not been able to see B class fares, only M fares from TPE to LAX/SFO? Has any one else encountered the same problem?

Dave510

Yes, I've had this issue before. I'm not quite sure how a higher rate bucket could be sold out before a lower one, but it happens. You can try calling into EVA ticketing but don't get your hopes up.

dgun25

Thanks for your response. Looking at the previous posts, it looks like people upgrade with aeroplan miles too. I have always used united miles to upgrade, but it looks like it is cheaper with Aeroplan!

pentiumvi

Looking to book roundtrip YVR-TPE and using 50k AP for SAUA both legs.

Do I call the reservation/ticketing line (1-800-695-1188) to inquire about Z class availability?

Thanks

gengar

Sorry, I missed this post until now. The bottom line is that I can only post my own experiences and repeat what other FT'ers have experienced - as there is no definitive way to know how BR's systems work from this side of things - but I'm glad the information here provided a positive outcome for you.

pentiumvi

If upgraded via SAUA, I assume pax is entitled to all J benefits?

Business check-in, priority boarding, business baggage allowance, lounge access etc.?

Dave510

Yes.

jamesl

Yes. You can call any of EVA's reservation or ticketing lines, and ask for SAUA availability (or Z, same thing).

escape4

Is a Y->J upgrade on EVA long-haul one of the most effective uses of *A miles? It has been for me, but I am wondering if others see it differently and if so, why.

krispykrme

skimthetrees

Not according to some reports. See post #56 above.