Buy Eva Air Ticket, upgrade with Mileage plus
Sep 7, 2017, 2:12 pm
#121
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
Just wanted to thank everyone for this thread. I dont fly INTL much at all but have a last minute biz trip to TPE and had a bunch of UA miles I was looking to spend. Bought the BR flight in B class on their site after looking at expertflyer for I class availability and then locked in my 2 upgrades online with the star alliance award link. $1200 all in + 60K miles to fly RT in biz class for the first time will be nice, especially since I'm 6' 5" and have troubling sleeping in regular airline seats. I'm on the ground in TPE for 48 hours so my jet lag should be awesome LOL
Oct 19, 2017, 3:10 am
#122
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: MileagePlus Premier Platinum; Marriott Rewards Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 55
Hi all,
Does anyone here have any idea how soon EVA opens up Z inventory?
Trying to upgrade myself for flights end Nov - early Dec and it seems none of the flights have Z available. I just don't know if it's due to the peak travel period (in which case I should just give up), or wait for T-28 or something.
Many thanks!
Does anyone here have any idea how soon EVA opens up Z inventory?
Trying to upgrade myself for flights end Nov - early Dec and it seems none of the flights have Z available. I just don't know if it's due to the peak travel period (in which case I should just give up), or wait for T-28 or something.
Many thanks!
Jan 31, 2018, 4:20 pm
#123
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 10
NEWBEY!!!! SEA-TPE-DPS upgrade help
Hi everyone I have a few questions as I am looking into flying on Eva SEA-TPE-DPS on February 16th.
1. I see "I" is available on Expert Flyer for an award upgrade however how would one purchase the correct ticket (If I am correct, it's B)?
2. Once I purchase my ticket I then apply for the upgrade using my United miles is that correct?
3. I see through Eva's website a one-way business SEA-TPE-DPS is 75k United miles, is that a better deal than purchasing a ticket and using miles to upgrade? Not sure what the ratio is.
Appreciate all the help I can get!!
1. I see "I" is available on Expert Flyer for an award upgrade however how would one purchase the correct ticket (If I am correct, it's B)?
2. Once I purchase my ticket I then apply for the upgrade using my United miles is that correct?
3. I see through Eva's website a one-way business SEA-TPE-DPS is 75k United miles, is that a better deal than purchasing a ticket and using miles to upgrade? Not sure what the ratio is.
Appreciate all the help I can get!!
Jan 31, 2018, 9:52 pm
#124
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Actually, it's 90,000 United miles. Whether it's a better deal depends on whether you'd rather burn miles or cash.
Feb 1, 2018, 7:45 am
#125
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,053
Y, B, or K. K is premium economy. That's what I'd suggest buying.
Yes, the request is made online. The upgrade is only per segment. 30,000 miles SEA-TPE, 15,000 TPE-DPS.
Actually, it's 90,000 United miles. Whether it's a better deal depends on whether you'd rather burn miles or cash.
Yes, the request is made online. The upgrade is only per segment. 30,000 miles SEA-TPE, 15,000 TPE-DPS.
Actually, it's 90,000 United miles. Whether it's a better deal depends on whether you'd rather burn miles or cash.
If you buy at the Eva air website you can see the specific fare class before paying so you know if it is upgradable.
Remember that upgrading a paid ticket you will earn miles for the flight (in paid ticket class) so that makes the cost of the upgrade less and will contribute to earning status.
DAK.
Feb 1, 2018, 8:56 am
#126
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Which is not meaningful for non-frequent travelers. A few thousand orphan miles have little value.
Feb 1, 2018, 11:16 am
#127
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,053
Then cancel the ticket within 24hrs if upgrade request fails and re-buy in K if you want premium economy. But no point in overpaying unnecessarily.
Feb 19, 2018, 12:18 pm
#128
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AA AAdvantage, SWA
Posts: 8
I think the "search for Award " feature in ExpertFlyer no longer works as intended. I looked up flights in ExpertFlyer from LAX to TPE in late May, 2018 a few days ago and found some (very few) that had "I" class. Tried to upgrade but United website told me no seats available. Refunded the ticket.
Called EVA and they told me that Z was the upgrade class, and I is a flight award ticket. They gave me the available dates for Z class (kind of a lot), with the caveat that they could not guarantee an upgrade using United miles. Booked two flights for me and wife on separate tickets so we could use separate miles. Upgraded on United's page and both upgrades cleared right away.*
My guess is that EVA has changed their class structure and ExpertFlyer hasn't caught up yet. There is no way that I can tell on ExpertFlyer to search Z class. If I put it in manually, it doesn't return anything (but will for other classes that I put in manually, e.g. C). If I search for individual flights, it shows me a bunch of classes but neither Z nor I. And I seem to remember searching for I a few times in the past, as recently as last May, performing a successful upgrade.
*Actually, the wife's went through right away. Mine had a problem, saying the number of people on the reservation was not the same as the number I was trying to upgrade...or something like that. Tried a couple times, both using Chrome as my browser, then switched to IE and my upgrade went right through.
Called EVA and they told me that Z was the upgrade class, and I is a flight award ticket. They gave me the available dates for Z class (kind of a lot), with the caveat that they could not guarantee an upgrade using United miles. Booked two flights for me and wife on separate tickets so we could use separate miles. Upgraded on United's page and both upgrades cleared right away.*
My guess is that EVA has changed their class structure and ExpertFlyer hasn't caught up yet. There is no way that I can tell on ExpertFlyer to search Z class. If I put it in manually, it doesn't return anything (but will for other classes that I put in manually, e.g. C). If I search for individual flights, it shows me a bunch of classes but neither Z nor I. And I seem to remember searching for I a few times in the past, as recently as last May, performing a successful upgrade.
*Actually, the wife's went through right away. Mine had a problem, saying the number of people on the reservation was not the same as the number I was trying to upgrade...or something like that. Tried a couple times, both using Chrome as my browser, then switched to IE and my upgrade went right through.
Jan 13, 2019, 2:40 am
#129
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Expert flyer definitely has a blind spot for EVA flights.
Just booked one today, it let me upgrade one leg (TPE-SFO) but not the other (SFO-TPE). Could not find which fare bucket was causing the discrepancy in Expert flyer, and neither I nor Z were listed as available (did not appear in the system)
I think the only way to test it out to really to book a ticket, and try applying it on the UA site. If you get it great. If not, you can choose to cancel within 24 hrs or roll the dice. Expert flyer remains a good tool to check current seat map.
Just booked one today, it let me upgrade one leg (TPE-SFO) but not the other (SFO-TPE). Could not find which fare bucket was causing the discrepancy in Expert flyer, and neither I nor Z were listed as available (did not appear in the system)
I think the only way to test it out to really to book a ticket, and try applying it on the UA site. If you get it great. If not, you can choose to cancel within 24 hrs or roll the dice. Expert flyer remains a good tool to check current seat map.
Jan 13, 2019, 9:50 am
#130
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Jan 14, 2019, 12:22 am
#131
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
How upgraded BR flights post to MP?
This was discussed in earlier posts but I was still confused by what happens. Saw an earlier post from 2014 which confirms this, but later on other posts said they received no MP credit after applying upgrade.
I booked a B class on BR and it sucessfully upgraded my SFO-TPE RT itinerary. Now they display Z fares after the upgrades went through. On United's site, it says for BR issued tickets, Z fares do not earn award or PQM; however, I assume they should see the original booked fare was Full Fare Econ in B class.
Has someone who has flown on BR with SAUA applied confirmed what happens? Just saw conflicting posts and I am confused.
I booked a B class on BR and it sucessfully upgraded my SFO-TPE RT itinerary. Now they display Z fares after the upgrades went through. On United's site, it says for BR issued tickets, Z fares do not earn award or PQM; however, I assume they should see the original booked fare was Full Fare Econ in B class.
Has someone who has flown on BR with SAUA applied confirmed what happens? Just saw conflicting posts and I am confused.
Last edited by fearless2357; Jan 14, 2019 at 12:35 am
Jan 14, 2019, 6:59 am
#132
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,053
This was discussed in earlier posts but I was still confused by what happens. Saw an earlier post from 2014 which confirms this, but later on other posts said they received no MP credit after applying upgrade.
I booked a B class on BR and it sucessfully upgraded my SFO-TPE RT itinerary. Now they display Z fares after the upgrades went through. On United's site, it says for BR issued tickets, Z fares do not earn award or PQM; however, I assume they should see the original booked fare was Full Fare Econ in B class.
Has someone who has flown on BR with SAUA applied confirmed what happens? Just saw conflicting posts and I am confused.
I booked a B class on BR and it sucessfully upgraded my SFO-TPE RT itinerary. Now they display Z fares after the upgrades went through. On United's site, it says for BR issued tickets, Z fares do not earn award or PQM; however, I assume they should see the original booked fare was Full Fare Econ in B class.
Has someone who has flown on BR with SAUA applied confirmed what happens? Just saw conflicting posts and I am confused.
DAK
Jan 14, 2019, 2:38 pm
#133
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Just successfully upgraded myself and 2 family members using B fare + UA mileageplus star alliance upgrade on a SFO-TPE RT. Thought I would post how I did it successfully so others can do the same. Price was $1450 + 60k miles total for the RT itinerary for each person.
1. Call EVA and ask them about the "Upgrade" availability for the flight you want. They will say they can only confirm for their members and not Star Alliance upgrade, but I have found that it is the same every time I have tried. Agents have told me how many upgrade seats are available. Expertflyer does not have this info, but you can use it to see how empty the cabin is before you call.
2. Book a Y/B/K class fare on EVA. Cheapest fare is B, the only reason to book K (premium econ with wider seat) would be if you want to roll the dice on the upgrade and sit in premium econ as a fallback option. I like to split the reservations so you can upgrade each separately and also use different mileageplus accounts, although this is not needed if there are enough upgrade seats and miles in your account to upgrade multiple people. I am not sure if the system will return in error if you have two travelers, but only one seat is available. If you book separately, you can apply each upgrade individually and use different mileageplus accounts to fund the upgrades, versus having to do each segment for the entire set of persons in a reservation.
3. You can go ahead and apply directly on the UA site after this. You can upgrade one segment at a time, and even mix and match mileageplus accounts that way.
4. If you want to cancel within 24 hours, you can do it on EVA site and the miles redeposit within a few minutes.
1. Call EVA and ask them about the "Upgrade" availability for the flight you want. They will say they can only confirm for their members and not Star Alliance upgrade, but I have found that it is the same every time I have tried. Agents have told me how many upgrade seats are available. Expertflyer does not have this info, but you can use it to see how empty the cabin is before you call.
2. Book a Y/B/K class fare on EVA. Cheapest fare is B, the only reason to book K (premium econ with wider seat) would be if you want to roll the dice on the upgrade and sit in premium econ as a fallback option. I like to split the reservations so you can upgrade each separately and also use different mileageplus accounts, although this is not needed if there are enough upgrade seats and miles in your account to upgrade multiple people. I am not sure if the system will return in error if you have two travelers, but only one seat is available. If you book separately, you can apply each upgrade individually and use different mileageplus accounts to fund the upgrades, versus having to do each segment for the entire set of persons in a reservation.
3. You can go ahead and apply directly on the UA site after this. You can upgrade one segment at a time, and even mix and match mileageplus accounts that way.
4. If you want to cancel within 24 hours, you can do it on EVA site and the miles redeposit within a few minutes.
Feb 13, 2019, 10:51 pm
#134
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
Just successfully upgraded myself and 2 family members using B fare + UA mileageplus star alliance upgrade on a SFO-TPE RT. Thought I would post how I did it successfully so others can do the same. Price was $1450 + 60k miles total for the RT itinerary for each person.
1. Call EVA and ask them about the "Upgrade" availability for the flight you want. They will say they can only confirm for their members and not Star Alliance upgrade, but I have found that it is the same every time I have tried. Agents have told me how many upgrade seats are available. Expertflyer does not have this info, but you can use it to see how empty the cabin is before you call.
2. Book a Y/B/K class fare on EVA. Cheapest fare is B, the only reason to book K (premium econ with wider seat) would be if you want to roll the dice on the upgrade and sit in premium econ as a fallback option. I like to split the reservations so you can upgrade each separately and also use different mileageplus accounts, although this is not needed if there are enough upgrade seats and miles in your account to upgrade multiple people. I am not sure if the system will return in error if you have two travelers, but only one seat is available. If you book separately, you can apply each upgrade individually and use different mileageplus accounts to fund the upgrades, versus having to do each segment for the entire set of persons in a reservation.
3. You can go ahead and apply directly on the UA site after this. You can upgrade one segment at a time, and even mix and match mileageplus accounts that way.
4. If you want to cancel within 24 hours, you can do it on EVA site and the miles redeposit within a few minutes.
1. Call EVA and ask them about the "Upgrade" availability for the flight you want. They will say they can only confirm for their members and not Star Alliance upgrade, but I have found that it is the same every time I have tried. Agents have told me how many upgrade seats are available. Expertflyer does not have this info, but you can use it to see how empty the cabin is before you call.
2. Book a Y/B/K class fare on EVA. Cheapest fare is B, the only reason to book K (premium econ with wider seat) would be if you want to roll the dice on the upgrade and sit in premium econ as a fallback option. I like to split the reservations so you can upgrade each separately and also use different mileageplus accounts, although this is not needed if there are enough upgrade seats and miles in your account to upgrade multiple people. I am not sure if the system will return in error if you have two travelers, but only one seat is available. If you book separately, you can apply each upgrade individually and use different mileageplus accounts to fund the upgrades, versus having to do each segment for the entire set of persons in a reservation.
3. You can go ahead and apply directly on the UA site after this. You can upgrade one segment at a time, and even mix and match mileageplus accounts that way.
4. If you want to cancel within 24 hours, you can do it on EVA site and the miles redeposit within a few minutes.
Feb 14, 2019, 6:24 pm
#135
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
How many miles+$ is the upgrade through UA, because I just burned most of my miles on account for family flights and the tool won't let me search for upgrade because I have "insufficient mileage balance". I don't want to blindly transfer from Chase without knowing how many first. I'm trying to upgrade an LAX-TPE-ICN journey on EVA if possible for this summer. Thanks in advance for the response!
The main thing to note is call EVA air's US customer hotline, and ask them for upgrade availability. They will say they can only confirm for "their members" but each time I have called, if there is availability for their members, it is open for Star Alliance (although no guarantee). If there is no availability, it won't matter which Star Alliance miles you use to upgrade, so be sure to check that first...