Feb 10, 2020, 12:48 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: hayzel7773

Booking Changes

The airline has suspended all basic category bookings for Y and PE for flights April/May. J continues to offer Basic, Standard, and Up.
Singapore ticketing/booking office is temporarily closed to protect employees in accordance with guidance from the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.
Manila Town Office closed indefinitely to comply with the PH Government's Quarantine Order
NYC Office closed as an abundance of caution.
Unpublished but BR North America is currently struggling to cope with the influx of requests as well as the PHO of the State of California. Because they are deemed "essential", the airline is able to compel attendance but staff have been taking a heavy amount of leave, which is leaving them severely short-staffed.

Passenger Requirements

Prior to check-in, Pax must fill out the Health Declaration Form: https://www.evaair.com/en-global/about-eva-air/news/travel-news/2020-02-01-new-type-coronavirus-news.html?filter=
You must confirm at check-in you are symptom free for the last 14 days, and have your temperature taken.
If you refuse the temperature check or the medical declaration, you will be refused carriage. The refund waiver does not apply in this case; you forfeit the entirety of your ticket.
Pax found to have falsely declare their medical information are liable to prosecution under the Communicable Disease Act and BR has the right to collect any incurred cost, losses, or damages stemming from you.

Ground Experience

All lounge food items are now pre-packaged ready-to-eat snacks. Ice cream and self-serve removed.
Shower service, lockers, and computer service is temporarily suspended.
Lounge times/hours are adjusted to ensure sanitation. Currently, only one lounge is open every day. Hours are also extremely limited.

Flight Changes (All Changes are Indefinite)

All Hello Kitty services suspended, including the airport check-in and onboard products. Suspension began on April 1st. Flight attendants will no longer wear HK themed items (pins, aprons etc.).
All Duty Free Cart Sales suspended. Passengers must preorder via the Duty Free website.
Due to a catering supply chain issue in the UK, no special meals are offered on outbound LHR flights. Only limited tray service will be provided.
Immediate suspension of all preordering services online for RL/PL/Business.
Flights under 6-hours: Room Temperature, ready-to-eat snack bags provided to customers of all classes. Only vegetarian special meals are available.
Flights over 6-hours: Single tray food service provided to customers of all classes. Only medical, religious, vegetarian, and baby special meals are available.
No paper menus, toiletries, playing cards, or magazines/newspapers provided. Only hand soap is provided in the lavatories. Pens will be available on a limited-request basis.
Customers are encouraged to wear a mask unless it is meal time. You must supply your own mask, wipes, sanitizer etc. The airline will suspend the distribution of masks on request immediately.
Passengers are not permitted to:
- Change seats unless instructed to do.
- Congregate around the aircraft. You must remain seated unless you are using the lavatory.
- Use restrooms designated "Crew Only"
- Board if they do not pass the temperature check or they refuse it.
- The PIC has authority to comply your compliance with all guidelines. You are subject to arrest, fine, or imprisonment for violating health guidelines onboard in accordance with the Communicable Disease Act and Civil Aviation Act of Taiwan. There will be no written warning to compel your cooperation, FA's are instructed to issue one verbal warning followed by PIC's determination of force. You will be banned from BR.
Flight crew and Cabin Crew will don the following PPE for your safety and their safety:
- Goggles (Medical grade)
- Masks (N95 or equivalent with a second surgical mask layer)
- Waterproof Gloves
- Gowns (FA's only)

Ticket Waivers
Valid for Tickets issued: On or Before Apr09 and must be submitted prior to Jun02 for the following periods:
Mainland China / Hong Kong /Macao Between 2020-01-20 and 2020-05-31
Singapore Between 2020-02-11 and 2020-05-31
Japan Between 2020-02-22 and 2020-05-31
Korea Between 2020-02-24 and 2020-05-31
Europe (except Italy) Between 2020-03-11 and 2020-05-31
*Italy Between 2020-02-18 and 2020-07-06
Australia Between 2020-03-20 and 2020-05-31
Others Between 2020-03-17 and 2020-05-31

If your ticket is in the waiver period:

Rebooking ONE time is permitted without a change fee. Fare Difference/Tax may be collected. No changes to routing or RBD permitted.
Refunds may be requested on rebooked flights, assuming you do not no-show the rebooked flight. "Refund Fee could be waived" (I guess it's their discretion on this)
If you are identified as a no-show for the original flight (failed to cancel before check-in closed), you are not eligible for the refund waiver. No-show fee cannot be waived if you want to reissue/rebook.
Refund fee waived; pax booking through BR are advised to submit the refund application online and await their response.
Pax booking through a travel agency have to cancel/refund via their agency. BR will not touch the ticket period. Calling them is no use and you are just clogging up the already busy phone lines. You need to sort it out with your TA!

EVA's Web Page on the Situation:

English: https://www.evaair.com/en-global/about-eva-air/news/travel-news/2020-02-01-new-type-coronavirus-news.html
Chinese: https://www.evaair.com/zh-tw/emer/2019-nCoV.html
Best way to check cancellations might be to check your reservation: https://booking.evaair.com/flyeva/eva/b2c/manage-your-trip/log_in.aspx?lang=en-global

Taiwan CDC Guidelines / Info:

English: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/List/7tUXjTBf6paRvrhEl-mrPg
Case Distribution English: https://nidss.cdc.gov.tw/en/NIDSS_DiseaseMap.aspx?dc=1&dt=5&disease=19CoV
Chinese: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Disease/SubIndex/N6XvFa1YP9CXYdB0kNSA9A
Case Distribution Chinese: https://nidss.cdc.gov.tw/ch/NIDSS_DiseaseMap.aspx?dc=1&dt=5&disease=19CoV

Taiwan Immigration Guidelines:

Table with current restrictions: https://ifi.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=18577&ctNode=36570&mp=ifi_en
Chinese: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5385/7229/7238/

Other Interesting Resources:

UDN Diagram of Cases in TW (in Chinese): https://udn.com/newmedia/2020/covid-19-taiwan/?utm_source=udnnews&utm_medium=tab
Dashboard by Johns Hopkins University: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Worldometer: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

BR Adjusts Service/Schedule Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

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Feb 11, 2020, 3:15 pm

#61

ernestnywang

Join Date: Sep 2005

Location: TPE / HSZ

Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National

Posts: 6,437

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia Emery

Well, in this specific case the person has a ROC passport that doesn't allow them to enter/stay-inTaiwan freely, and instead she has a PROC visitor visa issued against the ROC passport
I assure you it was stamped, the PROC visa took a full page of the passport

PROC visa on a ROC passport? No way. If this happened, this would be huge news in Taiwan + whichever officer did it would certainly be fired and severely punished.

There used to be certain ROC passports (those without a National ID number) that cannot be used to enter Taiwan freely. I believe this is passé and now every holder of ROC passport (with or without National ID number) can enter Taiwan.

PROC might issue a separate "travel document" if the person has ROC passport, really cannot enter Taiwan, and doesn't have Taibaozheng. The travel document would be a separate booklet and would not be on ROC passport. The travel document may be stamped.

If a person has Taibaozheng, that's all it needs to enter Mainland China.

Last edited by ernestnywang; Feb 11, 2020 at 3:20 pm

Feb 11, 2020, 10:08 pm

#62

hayzel7773

Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat

Posts: 1,926

BR cutting 1 of 3 daily flights to Manila through the end of March.

The evening turn BR277/278 is now cancelled.

CEB remains daily.

Starlux just announced they are pushing back their CEB launch to July.

HKG further reduced to 2 daily from 3.

Last edited by hayzel7773; Feb 11, 2020 at 10:13 pm

Feb 11, 2020, 10:23 pm

#63

username

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2001

Posts: 10,985

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia Emery

Yup, multiple people, the other two used ROC passport, but am uncertain if they needed "Taibaozheng"

That is the whole point. Mainland China does not recognize ROC passport and people need to use the Taiwan Resident Card (Tai-Bao-Zheng) Mainland issues to enter Mainland China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainla...iwan_Residents

Feb 13, 2020, 11:22 am

#64

hayzel7773

Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat

Posts: 1,926

BR is further reducing their overall Asia network. Cuts newly published are:
TPE-PNH
TPE-HAN (Afternoon Flight)
TPE-SIN (BR215/BR216)
TPE-ICN (late night + early morning turn removed)
TPE-OKA

Frequencies vary throughout the weeks. I can't imagine BR can go on for much longer without having to start introducing unpaid leave and pay reductions.

Feb 13, 2020, 1:51 pm

#65

BlackHappy

Join Date: Dec 2014

Location: NYC, SEA, TPE

Programs: BR Diamond, B6 Mosaic

Posts: 436

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayzel7773

I can't imagine BR can go on for much longer without having to start introducing unpaid leave and pay reductions.

I think the union is already negotiating with the company to see whether FAs can take leave on a month by month basis--I think it was 6 months minimum in the past. Like before, I think the sticking point has to do with what happens 1) schedule requests and 2) whether they can use ID/ZED tickets for FAs who choose to take the unpaid leave.

Feb 14, 2020, 7:50 am

#66

hayzel7773

Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat

Posts: 1,926

Newest Cancellations as of Feb14:
TPE-NRT
TPE-KIX
TPE-CGK
TSA-SHA
TPE-CTU suspended (previously restarted at normal 2x weekly frequency)
TPE-LAX (BR5/6)
TPE-SFO (BR7/8)
TPE-HKG further reduced to 2 daily (1 daily on some days). Flights operated by 78X and A321.

Cancellations vary per day.

Last edited by hayzel7773; Feb 14, 2020 at 8:10 am

Feb 14, 2020, 7:56 am

#67

hayzel7773

Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat

Posts: 1,926

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackHappy

For SARS, it was 6 months unpaid leave with travel benefits (but who in the world wanted to use them at the time) and everyone who did work had to take a massive pay cut. Crew were granted priority schedule requests if they took the offer for 6 months. I was working for BR in the US during that time and they made everyone here take a 15% cut every month (ultimately, it was restored and paid back after they had a profitable year) and they laid some people off in LA. At the time, BR made everyone at TPE HQ take 10% off their pay (paid back with a bonus) and had a hiring freeze for the longest time.

At the end of 2003, BR still gave everyone a one-month end-of-year bonus, despite their financials being all red.

ernestnywang and BlackHappy like this.

Feb 14, 2020, 7:56 am

#68

lowfareair

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Philadelphia

Posts: 2,515

Travel ban in the Philippines was lifted today: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/...an-lifted.html

Too late for us - we have already rebooked flights through Tokyo and most likely going to keep them as is.

Feb 14, 2020, 11:05 am

#69

sfsquared

Join Date: Feb 2020

Posts: 1

Has anyone been able to get through the 1800 customer service number? Every time I call, I get some automated "all lines are busy, call back later" response. I even called the local ticketing office line and get rerouted to the generic message. Is there a number that leads to a representative? I've been trying for weeks now...

Feb 14, 2020, 11:24 am

#70

hayzel7773

Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat

Posts: 1,926

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfsquared

They’re experiencing almost 3x the call volume right now so I think it’ll be a struggle to get through. Try Taipei.

Feb 14, 2020, 11:51 am

#71

BJE

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 10

I waited around 50 minutes when I called the LA office (local number) on Wednesday. My friends also had some reservations issues in Taiwan and called the Taipei office and waited a really long time as well.

Feb 14, 2020, 2:52 pm

#72

MrJBoy

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: SBA

Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler

Posts: 1,134

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayzel7773

Where can I find the information? How long are the cancellations until?
I'm trying to book BR5 (LAX-TPE) in mid April, so if that's true for my departure, I should book BR11 or BR15, instead.

Feb 14, 2020, 5:45 pm

#73

BJE

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrJBoy

Where can I find the information? How long are the cancellations until?
I'm trying to book BR5 (LAX-TPE) in mid April, so if that's true for my departure, I should book BR11 or BR15, instead.

I am wondering about the same thing too. I can’t find anything like that on EVA’s website Chinese and English.

MrJBoy likes this.

Last edited by BJE; Feb 14, 2020 at 9:02 pm

Feb 14, 2020, 7:07 pm

#74

R.K.Himura

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: YYZ

Posts: 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrJBoy

Where can I find the information? How long are the cancellations until?
I'm trying to book BR5 (LAX-TPE) in mid April, so if that's true for my departure, I should book BR11 or BR15, instead.

BR’s website is horrible to navigate. But you can check the cancellation here and click on “Flight delay / cancellation”

Looks like they are canceling flights on a rolling basis (like during the previous strike). So flights on April is still “good to go” atm

MrJBoy likes this.

Last edited by R.K.Himura; Feb 14, 2020 at 7:14 pm

Feb 14, 2020, 11:17 pm

#75

username

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2001

Posts: 10,985

I wish they had one of these OAG type of listing (i.e. Eff/Disc dates) on the cancellations (or schedule for the cities). The website (which is in the Wiki) was not even showing the flights hayzel7773 mentioned when I checked a few hours ago.

Of course, the more fluid and uncertain things are, the more people are going to say "just forget about flying".