EVA (pronounced E – V – A) Airways has recently joined the Star Alliance network and the Taipei-based carrier has been very generous when it comes to releasing award space. In fact, many dates this summer have four or more award seats available in business class and EVA’s business class seat is among the best in the business. Now United Airlines has made it easier to book this space by enabling the searchability for EVA award flights on united.com.
In the past, a telephone call was necessary to confirm this space with MileagePlus and few agents knew how to book it. Now that EVA is part of Star Alliance, award booking codes have changed to match the rest of the Alliance (I for business, X for economy) and reservations no longer require a waiting period for EVA to confirm the space.
The downside is clear, though–the generous amount of award space available now will dry up fast because it is now so easy to book. So just like when Swiss and Turkish award space was added to united.com, award space was abundant, then quickly gobbled up, my adivce is to enjoy the space while it lasts.
Also remember for longhaul flights, 777-300ER = good, 747-400 (out of Seattle) = bad. The difference between EVA’s old and new business class product is tremendous.
sigh there goes that hidden gem :-/
…and it’s gone again (temporarily at least)