Star Alliance Upgrade Award on EVA
#91
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 707
Not according to some reports. See post #56 above.
I posted screen shots before and dared someone on the forum to prove otherwise.
Again- the only guarantee that SAUA will clear is I-class.
Not Z. Z has always been total award/upgrade space BR uses for its own program. I is a subset of Z and that is what SAUA bucket comes from. While after it clears, it will become Z on boarding pass. It does not mean when Z is available SAUA will clear.
i have called BR, posted screen shot to show otherwise.
There are couple people here works for Trip+ website that sells SAUA upgrade and has been telling Z class availability guarantee SAUA upgrade on BR. Reality is total BS.
#92
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
Dont go there.
I posted screen shots before and dared someone on the forum to prove otherwise.
Again- the only guarantee that SAUA will clear is I-class.
Not Z. Z has always been total award/upgrade space BR uses for its own program. I is a subset of Z and that is what SAUA bucket comes from. While after it clears, it will become Z on boarding pass. It does not mean when Z is available SAUA will clear.
I posted screen shots before and dared someone on the forum to prove otherwise.
Again- the only guarantee that SAUA will clear is I-class.
Not Z. Z has always been total award/upgrade space BR uses for its own program. I is a subset of Z and that is what SAUA bucket comes from. While after it clears, it will become Z on boarding pass. It does not mean when Z is available SAUA will clear.
Sorry if I am fueling the confusion, but is @princesakura's post not the proof that you are looking for that i-class does not guarantee SAUA? He seems to think you need both i and z to guarantee it. And does it not prove that i is NOT a subset of z, otherwise how can i be available and not z?
#93
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
I looked all through this thread and could not locate the screenshots you posted. Could you point me to the post with your screenshots?
Again- the only guarantee that SAUA will clear is I-class.
Not Z. Z has always been total award/upgrade space BR uses for its own program. I is a subset of Z and that is what SAUA bucket comes from. While after it clears, it will become Z on boarding pass. It does not mean when Z is available SAUA will clear.
i have called BR, posted screen shot to show otherwise.
There are couple people here works for Trip+ website that sells SAUA upgrade and has been telling Z class availability guarantee SAUA upgrade on BR. Reality is total BS.
Not Z. Z has always been total award/upgrade space BR uses for its own program. I is a subset of Z and that is what SAUA bucket comes from. While after it clears, it will become Z on boarding pass. It does not mean when Z is available SAUA will clear.
i have called BR, posted screen shot to show otherwise.
There are couple people here works for Trip+ website that sells SAUA upgrade and has been telling Z class availability guarantee SAUA upgrade on BR. Reality is total BS.
It could be that EVA at some point changed the way SAUA works. What would be most helpul today is to know how it works now, not how it may have worked 2 years ago if that is different. Any recent data points of people checking both Z (through EVA) and I space and how this affected SAUA?
#94
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
The below post contradicts your assertion that I-Class guarantees SAUA will clear. I have seen some posts that say Z is required to book but it shows as I on the ticket.
It could be that EVA at some point changed the way SAUA works. What would be most helpul today is to know how it works now, not how it may have worked 2 years ago if that is different. Any recent data points of people checking both Z (through EVA) and I space and how this affected SAUA?
It could be that EVA at some point changed the way SAUA works. What would be most helpul today is to know how it works now, not how it may have worked 2 years ago if that is different. Any recent data points of people checking both Z (through EVA) and I space and how this affected SAUA?
Each time, I have called in to BR's Taipei office, confirmed Z availability, and SAUA has been successful.
In case more evidence is necessary, there are many reports from other FT'ers of successful SAUA despite I=0, with many of these FT'ers reporting Z>0. Additionally, as skimthetrees mentions above, at least one FT'er has reported being unable to upgrade when I>0 and Z=0. Here are links to some of these reports: posts [63] [64] [65] [70] [71] [72] [76] [77] in this thread and also post [118] from the UA-specific SAUA thread.
#95
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 707
I have successfully upgraded using SAUA probably 7-8 times over the last 2-3 years, most recently in September of this year (two months ago). Not once has there ever been I availability, because if there had been I availability I would have booked a straight award ticket (this is also the stated rationale for many other FT'ers, and is the reason we have so many data points on this issue).
Each time, I have called in to BR's Taipei office, confirmed Z availability, and SAUA has been successful.
In case more evidence is necessary, there are many reports from other FT'ers of successful SAUA despite I=0, with many of these FT'ers reporting Z>0. Additionally, as skimthetrees mentions above, at least one FT'er has reported being unable to upgrade when I>0 and Z=0. Here are links to some of these reports: posts [63] [64] [65] [70] [71] [72] [76] [77] in this thread and also post [118] from the UA-specific SAUA thread.
Each time, I have called in to BR's Taipei office, confirmed Z availability, and SAUA has been successful.
In case more evidence is necessary, there are many reports from other FT'ers of successful SAUA despite I=0, with many of these FT'ers reporting Z>0. Additionally, as skimthetrees mentions above, at least one FT'er has reported being unable to upgrade when I>0 and Z=0. Here are links to some of these reports: posts [63] [64] [65] [70] [71] [72] [76] [77] in this thread and also post [118] from the UA-specific SAUA thread.
2. Expertflyer also classified I as SAUA and award bucket.
3. I posted the screen shots to show only I clears.
The only way to full Gurantee SAUA is I class.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Nov 19, 2018 at 4:28 am Reason: Some text redacted by moderator to comply with rule 12
#96
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Ex-Bonvoyed, Hyatt, Hilton, BR, AC, AA
Posts: 1,298
Once again, it's necessary to show 3 things: a cleared upgrade, I > 0 AND Z = 0, you've never shown 3 to be true in any of your proof. This is just a simple matter of logic.
Finally, many posters have data points showing the reverse is true: a cleared upgrade, Z > 0 AND I = 0, which contradict your assertion. It's also pretty awful to accuse people of being from Trip+ website with no proof... Do I happen to work for Trip+ too?
#97
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Marriott Platinum, EVA Silver
Posts: 41
It's entirely possible that there is a subset of Z for SAUA since it seems like Z is the bucket for all upgrade awards (ILM and *A). However, I don't know if that's I, since the EVA ticketing agents themselves only look for Z. And it seems so far it doesn't matter since all the datapoints point to SAUA being successful if Z>0.
Last edited by jamesl; Nov 26, 2018 at 2:09 am Reason: clarity
#98
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 707
None of your screenshots show what you're claiming. You've shown a successful upgrade at I > 0, but your screenshot did not show if there was Z > 0. Nothing in your screenshots preclude the (very likely) possibility that when you successfully upgraded, there was Z inventory as well (which is why it cleared, not I).
Once again, it's necessary to show 3 things: a cleared upgrade, I > 0 AND Z = 0, you've never shown 3 to be true in any of your proof. This is just a simple matter of logic.
Finally, many posters have data points showing the reverse is true: a cleared upgrade, Z > 0 AND I = 0, which contradict your assertion. It's also pretty awful to accuse people of being from Trip+ website with no proof... Do I happen to work for Trip+ too?
Once again, it's necessary to show 3 things: a cleared upgrade, I > 0 AND Z = 0, you've never shown 3 to be true in any of your proof. This is just a simple matter of logic.
Finally, many posters have data points showing the reverse is true: a cleared upgrade, Z > 0 AND I = 0, which contradict your assertion. It's also pretty awful to accuse people of being from Trip+ website with no proof... Do I happen to work for Trip+ too?
expertflyer isn’t wrong. Experflyer used to show Z until early this year. I am not sure why it was removed.
[Personal comment redacted by moderator] Because same thing happened last year and I was able to pull Z inventory in experflyer that showed Z was available and no I and my daughter didn’t get cleared.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Dec 2, 2018 at 12:10 am Reason: Mod edit
#99
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
#100
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 707
Ok- I just spend another $100 to prove that Z doesn't means 100% upgradeable SAUA. With no I-class space, SAUA will fail.
Below is call I had with BR for 12/5 and 12/6 BR7 Z class space availability. EVA confirming Z>5 for BR 7 for 12/6/18- (its in Chinese)
Expertflyer shows no I- class available
SAUA Upgrade fail
So are we happy now?
Again- just because EVA has Z space available. Its not 100% for sure SAUA will clear.
My experience since BR joined Star is when I-class is available- SAUA will clear no matter what. Never failed.
Below is call I had with BR for 12/5 and 12/6 BR7 Z class space availability. EVA confirming Z>5 for BR 7 for 12/6/18- (its in Chinese)
Expertflyer shows no I- class available
SAUA Upgrade fail
So are we happy now?
Again- just because EVA has Z space available. Its not 100% for sure SAUA will clear.
My experience since BR joined Star is when I-class is available- SAUA will clear no matter what. Never failed.
Last edited by krispykrme; Dec 3, 2018 at 6:18 am
#101
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 707
I am pretty sure as departure time gets closer. I will become available.
My point has been simple- just becareful when transferring valuable points to UA miles. I- class is as sure as 100% SAUA will clear.
Z class may clear as "others" have stated. But in some cases. It just won't clear.
This happened to me back in Oct on Taiwanese government sponsored meeting. And I was just able to duplicate the same issue.
My point has been simple- just becareful when transferring valuable points to UA miles. I- class is as sure as 100% SAUA will clear.
Z class may clear as "others" have stated. But in some cases. It just won't clear.
This happened to me back in Oct on Taiwanese government sponsored meeting. And I was just able to duplicate the same issue.
#102
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
I am pretty sure as departure time gets closer. I will become available.
My point has been simple- just becareful when transferring valuable points to UA miles. I- class is as sure as 100% SAUA will clear.
Z class may clear as "others" have stated. But in some cases. It just won't clear.
This happened to me back in Oct on Taiwanese government sponsored meeting. And I was just able to duplicate the same issue.
My point has been simple- just becareful when transferring valuable points to UA miles. I- class is as sure as 100% SAUA will clear.
Z class may clear as "others" have stated. But in some cases. It just won't clear.
This happened to me back in Oct on Taiwanese government sponsored meeting. And I was just able to duplicate the same issue.
#103
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
Does anyone have any data points regards to general availability of award tickets from US West coast to TPE? I used to be able to reliably find availabities within a 1 week window, but currently, according to expertflyer and few other searches using UA and AC there's basically next to zero from LAX thru the end of Feb and well into March. April is also completely unavailable. I know CNY is winding down but wasn't sure if BR has started to block availability on entire lanes?
Last edited by buylowsellhigh; Feb 13, 2019 at 3:14 am
#104
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,926
Does anyone have any data points regards to general availability of award tickets from US West coast to TPE? I used to be able to reliably find availabities within a 1 week window, but currently, according to expertflyer and few other searches using UA and AC there's basically next to zero from LAX thru the end of Feb and well into March. April is also completely unavailable. I know CNY is winding down but wasn't sure if BR has started to block availability on entire lanes?
#105
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
BR is currently revamping their reservations system to match the new fare family concept they are introducing and are not updating their fare buckets as often as they normally do. They still have yet to load the buckets for some flights in late-December 2019, which is not good.
Does it look like Eva is releasing awards on their own FFP? These few months? My dilemma is that I need to choose between a PE or B ticket depending on which award bucket is available.