EVA Air - Upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy

[AJSP]

The wife is flying out mid July for 5 weeks. All booked and price was £1113 return, so not too bad for summer holiday. 
 

i wanted to see if I could get her in PE on the outward leg from LHR so enquired with EVA who said it would be £1000 to go this for one leg only !!

 

I’ve read some guys have upgraded by bidding on a seat a few days before so I’ll google the process later but I’m interested to know what the rate that you’ll likely have to bid to get it. I recollect @Binlid and @boydeste have done this and I think around the £280 mark which seem reasonable and a price I’d be happy to pay. 

so quick question on what to bid and any useful tips would be appreciated. 
 

My son and I fly out a few weeks later than her in economy and we all will come home on the same flight in Economy.  I’ll see how her bid goes before deciding whether if it’s worth us trying as well

[Jambo]

36 minutes ago, AJSP said:

The wife is flying out mid July for 5 weeks. All booked and price was £1113 return, so not too bad for summer holiday. 
 

i wanted to see if I could get her in PE on the outward leg from LHR so enquired with EVA who said it would be £1000 to go this for one leg only !!

 

I’ve read some guys have upgraded by bidding on a seat a few days before so I’ll google the process later but I’m interested to know what the rate that you’ll likely have to bid to get it. I recollect @Binlid and @boydeste have done this and I think around the £280 mark which seem reasonable and a price I’d be happy to pay. 

so quick question on what to bid and any useful tips would be appreciated. 
 

My son and I fly out a few weeks later than her in economy and we all will come home on the same flight in Economy.  I’ll see how her bid goes before deciding whether if it’s worth us trying as well

When I used to fly PE on EVA from Heathrow you didn't really get anything much more than what was basic economy?

My worst-ever flight to Bangkok was on EVA.

I boarded the aircraft to find that a female passenger had settled herself in my window seat and was making a fuss of her baby. It started crying/screaming during takeoff and was still going strong when we landed at Bangkok. From time to time, other female passengers would arrive to commiserate with the mother, pointedly ignoring me. I think they sensed I giving off an aura of suppressed infanticide. 

 

Edited May 16 by Jambo

[galenkia]

5 minutes ago, Jambo said:

When I used to fly PE on EVA from Heathrow you didn't really get anything much more than what was basic economy?

My worst-ever flight to Bangkok was on EVA.

I boarded the aircraft to find that a female passenger had settled herself in my window seat and was making a fuss of her baby. It started crying/screaming during takeoff and was still going strong when we landed at Bangkok. From time to time, other female passengers would arrive to commiserate with the mother, pointedly ignoring me. I think they sensed I giving off an aura of suppressed infanticide. 

 

I used to use PE on EVA in the early 2000’s when it wasn’t much dearer than economy.

I Just liked the extra leg room.

The prices people on here mention now is just gouging customers. They are just using the Iran situation as an excuse to make money. Also it seems prices increased after Covid and stayed there.

[boydeste]

53 minutes ago, AJSP said:

i’ve read some guys have upgraded by bidding on a seat a few days before so I’ll google the process later but I’m interested to know what the rate that you’ll likely have to bid to get it. I recollect @Binlid and @boydeste have done this and I think around the £280 mark which seem reasonable and a price I’d be happy to pay. 

so quick question on what to bid and any useful tips would be appreciated. 

I have successfully bid 6 out of my last 8 flights. In every case they have sent me an email offering the option. 

There will be a minimum bid to start with. Just add to it what ever you feel reasonable if you were to win. I think many people just bid the minimum. 

[AJSP]

5 minutes ago, boydeste said:

I have successfully bid 6 out of my last 8 flights. In every case they have sent me an email offering the option. 

There will be a minimum bid to start with. Just add to it what ever you feel reasonable if you were to win. I think many people just bid the minimum. 

Useful - just logged on and it seems you can bid now several months before but the minimum is €434 so probably not what I would pay.

i have a figure of €300 in my head which seems reasonable with €301 being far too dear 🤣

[boydeste]

24 minutes ago, Jambo said:

When I used to fly PE on EVA from Heathrow you didn't really get anything much more than what was basic economy?

PE on EVA is way better than economy these days.

There are 2 seats in the place of 3 and they recline further back. The food and service is better too.

Having said that, it's now over twice the price since covid and for me, not good value at full price. 

Typically it's 2 to 2.5k pounds for a return journey. 

[boydeste]

2 minutes ago, AJSP said:

Useful - just logged on and it seems you can bid now several months before but the minimum is €434 so probably not what I would pay.

i have a figure of €300 in my head which seems reasonable with €301 being far too dear 🤣

Wow, I have never seen a minimum that high. Must vary according to how many unsold seats I guess.

[AJSP]

13 minutes ago, boydeste said:

Wow, I have never seen a minimum that high. Must vary according to how many unsold seats I guess.

I reckon it’s cause it’s a couple of months ahead - my theory anyway 

[Butch]

Here's my take on it and what I did last year in Easter:

EVA Econ out and PE back was £1735 Econ/Econ was £875

Thai Econ out and BC back was £1985 Econ/Econ was £870

I went Thai econ out (horrific - hard seats but good food.) BC back - awesome, Great lounge, check in whenever and they have plenty of food and quality drinks, I managed to get through the best part of a bottle of Laurent Perrier seats are awesome, mattress toppers and comfy cushions and service tip top- but they neglected to give me my Fast track pass for LHR the wankers, so I was standing with the untermensch in a queue for a few minutes. I made sure to get my butler to disinfect me before arriving at the Mansion.

This time

Thai Econ / BC no option when I booked (had I left it 3 weeks the option for BC return when booking appeared for some reason) so it was:

EVA Econ out and PE back £1200 give or take.

I've done this a few times, EVA PE seats are being reconfigured, but even the older bulkhead ones have a "slide" which enables you to rest your feet at full extend , beyond the "calf support" they're the only seats in PE that have it. Mid bulkhead are no charge, but you run the risk of having a screaming infant in the same row. Other seats just have a calf support.

I always go Econ out to LOS because I'm doing it after coming off a usually shithole of a nightshift, finish at 0700, debrief and home by 0800, up again at 10:30 and in the train / car to LHR by 14:00, hence when boarding and after finishing the meal served 2 hours after takeoff, I'm chinstapped so either a couple of melatonin / xanax / Zopiclone (delete as appropriate) and I'm basically licked out for 7 hours plus. Last time my neighbour in 42F (great fella btw) woke me up for breakfast, despite me calling him a c**t because I thought it was one of the lads at work doing it (thought I was getting a snooze in our downtime at work)

EVA PE is a good product if you can get it at the right price point. It's always cheaper on the return leg due to fewer taxes I'm led to believe. Remember that EVA Econ is now 3-4-3 and PE 2-4-2 with 2 dedicated toilets and a max of 64 seats in that cabin area.

I totally agree with the sentiments here regarding pricing though. Worth noting that PE is also the gateway drug into BC. It happened to me, but I can give it up anytime. honest.

Edited May 16 by Butch

[AJSP]

3 hours ago, Butch said:

Here's my take on it and what I did last year in Easter:

EVA Econ out and PE back was £1735 Econ/Econ was £875

Thai Econ out and BC back was £1985 Econ/Econ was £870

I went Thai econ out (horrific - hard seats but good food.) BC back - awesome, Great lounge, check in whenever and they have plenty of food and quality drinks, I managed to get through the best part of a bottle of Laurent Perrier seats are awesome, mattress toppers and comfy cushions and service tip top- but they neglected to give me my Fast track pass for LHR the wankers, so I was standing with the untermensch in a queue for a few minutes. I made sure to get my butler to disinfect me before arriving at the Mansion.

This time

Thai Econ / BC no option when I booked (had I left it 3 weeks the option for BC return when booking appeared for some reason) so it was:

EVA Econ out and PE back £1200 give or take.

I've done this a few times, EVA PE seats are being reconfigured, but even the older bulkhead ones have a "slide" which enables you to rest your feet at full extend , beyond the "calf support" they're the only seats in PE that have it. Mid bulkhead are no charge, but you run the risk of having a screaming infant in the same row. Other seats just have a calf support.

I always go Econ out to LOS because I'm doing it after coming off a usually shithole of a nightshift, finish at 0700, debrief and home by 0800, up again at 10:30 and in the train / car to LHR by 14:00, hence when boarding and after finishing the meal served 2 hours after takeoff, I'm chinstapped so either a couple of melatonin / xanax / Zopiclone (delete as appropriate) and I'm basically licked out for 7 hours plus. Last time my neighbour in 42F (great fella btw) woke me up for breakfast, despite me calling him a c**t because I thought it was one of the lads at work doing it (thought I was getting a snooze in our downtime at work)

EVA PE is a good product if you can get it at the right price point. It's always cheaper on the return leg due to fewer taxes I'm led to believe. Remember that EVA Econ is now 3-4-3 and PE 2-4-2 with 2 dedicated toilets and a max of 64 seats in that cabin area.

I totally agree with the sentiments here regarding pricing though. Worth noting that PE is also the gateway drug into BC. It happened to me, but I can give it up anytime. honest.

That’s so useful thank you. 
 

I have 100,000 infinity mileage points from my CC so that’s an option. 
 

I agree on the gateway comment. Mrs P is happy with PE having flown before but as I get on my view is BC is the way forward although that has taken a rain check for now 

[Yesitisdakid]

11 hours ago, Jambo said:

My worst-ever flight to Bangkok was on EVA.

 you do not want to fly on JAL that was a nightmare of a flight

[Pumpuynarak]

3 hours ago, Yesitisdakid said:

 you do not want to fly on JAL that was a nightmare of a flight

Try the Indian airlines, they're brill 🤣

[Commander]

3 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Try the Indian airlines, they're brill 🤣

I've been on Air India twice recently one ways out of Heathrow once on their new A350 (at the time) in 2024 and again in 2025. Have to say they were fine lol as was Delhi and Mumbai

As for Eva the glory days of Evergreen Deluxe which they renamed Elite now (unless changed again ?) was back in the 1990's when they used that 747 Combi where the nose section had the premium economy seats from memory only around £100 more than standard economy

[Derek Dangleberries]

1 minute ago, Commander said:

I've been on Air India twice recently one ways out of Heathrow once on their new A350 (at the time) in 2024 and again in 2025. Have to say they were fine lol as was Delhi and Mumbai

What travel class was that mate? 

[Commander]

1 minute ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

What travel class was that mate? 

Just standard economy think I paid £280 one way on the A350 via Delhi to Bangkok in 2024 and on their 777 via Mumbai last year was £301 from memory

They get a bad rap unfortunately and I dont think its entirely justified

Having done Biman Bangladesh, Uzebekistan, Aeroflot (both on there Ilyushin's and 777) Lot Airlines, Tarom all in the 1990's to Bangkok I'd say they were all considerably worse

I've actually flown 33 different airlines (to or from specifically London Bangkok) and I'd put Eva top 5

[Pumpuynarak]

11 minutes ago, Commander said:

I've been on Air India twice recently one ways out of Heathrow once on their new A350 (at the time) in 2024 and again in 2025. Have to say they were fine lol as was Delhi and Mumbai

I should have said my only flight with an Indian airline was back in 2010 Bangkok - Heathrow return stopping at Mumbia, can't remember which airline. The only benefit was the price which was the cheapest i could find and i soon found out why it was sooooo cheap, it was horrendous and i obviously never repeated. 90% of the problems were brought about by my fellow passengers in cattle class who were obviously Indians, what a lovely crowd they were 🤣

Mumbia airport was just a shithole.......  

[Commander]

5 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I should have said my only flight with an Indian airline was back in 2010 Bangkok - Heathrow return stopping at Mumbia, can't remember which airline. The only benefit was the price which was the cheapest i could find and i soon found out why it was sooooo cheap, it was horrendous and i obviously never repeated. 90% of the problems were brought about by my fellow passengers in cattle class who were obviously Indians, what a lovely crowd they were 🤣

Mumbia airport was just a shithole.......  

Yes Both Delhi and Mumbai both hugely upgraded since then

[AJSP]

36 minutes ago, Commander said:

I've been on Air India twice recently one ways out of Heathrow once on their new A350 (at the time) in 2024 and again in 2025. Have to say they were fine lol as was Delhi and Mumbai

As for Eva the glory days of Evergreen Deluxe which they renamed Elite now (unless changed again ?) was back in the 1990's when they used that 747 Combi where the nose section had the premium economy seats from memory only around £100 more than standard economy

Evergreen Deluxe - yes I remember that around 20 years ago and I was paying approx £650. Used to being back a suitcase full of cigarettes which paid for the flight in its entirety 

[richy65]

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I should have said my only flight with an Indian airline was back in 2010 Bangkok - Heathrow return stopping at Mumbia, can't remember which airline. The only benefit was the price which was the cheapest i could find and i soon found out why it was sooooo cheap, it was horrendous and i obviously never repeated. 90% of the problems were brought about by my fellow passengers in cattle class who were obviously Indians, what a lovely crowd they were 🤣

Mumbia airport was just a shithole.......  

Sounds exactly the same as when I flew with them on my first trip to Thailand via New Delhi. I made the mistake of picking the cheapest flights I could find, never again!

[Jambo]

2 hours ago, richy65 said:

Sounds exactly the same as when I flew with them on my first trip to Thailand via New Delhi. I made the mistake of picking the cheapest flights I could find, never again!

My worst flight to Thailand happened to be my first ever trip, landing at Don Mueang and flying Thai Airways. 

I don't recall any issues with the actual flight, or the cost, just the landing at Bangkok. We landed through one of Thailand's spectacular thunderstorms and I thought we were all going to die! The aircraft was all over the place and did a bounce when it first touched the runway. I have no idea if he deserved it, but the pilot received a huge round of applause. I suppose he did, given we all walked away.

Our luggage must have been left out in the rain for some time as when I opened my suitcase at my hotel half my clothes ( brand new, best shagging gear) were soaking wet. I had to hang it all around the hotel room to dry.

[Butch]

13 hours ago, AJSP said:

Evergreen Deluxe - yes I remember that around 20 years ago and I was paying approx £650. Used to being back a suitcase full of cigarettes which paid for the flight in its entirety 

Purple coloured seats on the 747/400 Combi's iirc. Yep, I worked it out it was , give or take £150 for the upgrade over the normal price, depending upon time of year.

I once upgraded to the BC on the EVA 747, upstairs behind FC, lie flat seat beds and loads of room. 

[AJSP]

2 hours ago, Butch said:

Purple coloured seats on the 747/400 Combi's iirc. Yep, I worked it out it was , give or take £150 for the upgrade over the normal price, depending upon time of year.

I once upgraded to the BC on the EVA 747, upstairs behind FC, lie flat seat beds and loads of room. 

Indeed, the price I paid was outside of school holidays which would have been dearer - hood memories and. Great prices 

[Commander]

Someone asked on one of the Expat groups yesterday what were the top airlines anyone had flown London Bangkok 

It was tough question for me apart from top 2 which were outstanding....(I'm ignoring if transit was involved or whether flight was non stop)

Singapore Airlines

Cathay Pacific

Emirates

Eva

Qantas

(I'm leaving Qatar out of top 5 because of in my opinion the shight seats in economy)

Honourable mentions to Gulf Oman BA (yes lol) Thai and Malaysian

[Jambo]

I have absolutely zero nostalgic feelings for my flights to and from Thailand on various airlines. They were simply a boring and often uncomfortable means to an end.

I always flew cattle class, attempting and 100% failing to get free upgrades. As long as there was not an extended wait, if changing flights, I invariably went for the cheapest airline. I did pay the £150 (?) surcharge for an EVA Evergreen upgrade a couple of times until I had that disaster with the screaming child.  

I am not by any means a cheap Charlie and could afford to pay for upgrades. I simply could never justify to myself paying often double the price of cattle class just for a couple of theoretically better meals and a somewhat more comfortable seat. To me, one can put up with some discomfort for 12 hours or so and thereby save enough for a couple of weeks' entertainment.

Having said the above, my favourite airline had been KLM until my seat on an ageing 747 had me squirming the whole flight and I kicked them into touch.  I just liked changing at Schiphol airport after I spent a two hour wait for my connecting flight surrounded by the whole Dutch football team. What a pleasure to sit at a table talking football.  They did most of the talking, and in English, after my first question! 😄   

[Pumpuynarak]

15 hours ago, Jambo said:

I am not by any means a cheap Charlie and could afford to pay for upgrades. I simply could never justify to myself paying often double the price of cattle class just for a couple of theoretically better meals and a somewhat more comfortable seat. To me, one can put up with some discomfort for 12 hours or so and thereby save enough for a couple of weeks' entertainment.

BINGO