Star Alliance member EVA Air has wide open business class award space from Los Angeles to Taipei (and beyond in Asia) for August 2021 through end of schedule.
International travel right now isn’t an option for most – especially to Asia – but come summer 2021 the world is likely to look a lot different than it does today. I’m betting that late summer and fall travel is going to be possible, and mileage trips are exactly what you want to be booking given the flexibility to cancel and redeposit miles. I’ve got an Asia trip on the books for the back half of 2021 already myself.
This availability was flagged by Spencer Howard who has done a great job keeping up on frequent flyer award space as it becomes available while many people aren’t searching awards as much as we once were. Spencer runs an email newsletter where he sends out award availability alerts, consider signing up.
Some flights between August and early December have 2 seats, some even have 3 business class award seats available. On many days there’s more than one flight with availability, and two of their flights operate just 15 minutes apart. So consider traveling 2+2 if you’re a family of four.
EVA Air offers one of the best business class products in the world. The fully flat Super Diamond seats are similar to Air France and American Airlines. Where they shine is in food and beverage and service. They generally serve international first class quality champagnes and offer pajamas in long haul business class along with amenity kits from brands like Rimowa and Ferragamo.
Best ways to book:
- Citibank points: Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles will let you put the award on hold and then transfer points into your account. Turkish charges 67,500 miles each way plus modest surcharges. EVA Air itself is also a transfer partner and charges 75,000 miles each way.
- American Express points: Air Canada Aeroplan is an instant transfer partner and charges 75,000 miles each way to Taipei though more miles if you want to connect onward into Asia. Even better is ANA Mileage Club at 95,000 miles roundtrip but points transfers aren’t instant, they can take a couple of days, and there are no award holds so there’s a risk the space could disappear (although no particular reason to bet that it will especially if you’re flexible on travel dates).
- Chase points: United charges 88,000 miles each way with no surcharges.
- Airline programs you may have miles in: in addition to United (88,000 miles each way) there’s LifeMiles (75,000 miles each way and no surcharges) and Air Canada Aeroplan as well.
You should visit Taiwan, and improve ties between the U.S. and the Republic of China, so consider a stopover at least and if nothing else some great dumplings, and connect onward to most destinations in Asia you’d consider visiting.
To be sure, right now Taipei is closed to even transit passengers. Few countries have done as well containing Covid-19, even if the World Health Organization won’t acknowledge it. However there’s a good chance that the second half of 2021 could look much different, and I can’t wait to get back.
Taiwan is the probably the most underrated place in Asia. Great food, amazing transportation systems, easy to use and a western friendly attitude makes it amazing for Americans
Do you know if the Hello Kitty plane will be back in international service?
leave the politics out Mr left, you shouldn’t stick your nose into other sovereignty where it doesn’t belong. as much as you don’t like other countries to interfere with US politics but you like to invite your Racist white attitude to inter with China’s souvereignty. ask yourself, how much do you understand Chinese history? if you don’t then, just STFU you and a few of the bloggers here are just plain Hypocrites.
@pho tastee wow. Another racist who needs to face reality.
@pho tastee, really? seriously? says the man who blindly supports the ccp that red washes your own history. As a proud KMT supporter and ROC citizen, you literally have no idea what youre talking about. You should STFU. You dont even have a Chinese screen name, you commie lover.
Taiwan has said though that they don’t plan on reopening to international tourists until 2024.
Summer 2021 to Asia…. yeah thats gonna happen!
Better sign up for those amazing credit cards quick!
@pho tastee get a grip.
China doesn’t currently control Taiwan, and the people there are happy with that.
Are you advocating war? Why?
Yes us crazy ‘lefties’ believe that people have a right to determine their Goverment & representation, not be ruled by a mafia state.
@Jan America and the world is the problem. We accept the position of the People’s Republic of China and bow down to them.
South Korea claims both the North and South. North Korea claims both the North and South. Some countries recognize both sides and has embassy in Pyongyang and Seoul including Brazil, Germany, Sweden, UK, etc. If the US wanted to, Pyongyang would accept such request. Brazil, Germany, Sweden, UK, and the US have embassies in South Korea, no problem.
President Carter should have just recognized both and told them “if you don’t like it then close your embassy or don’t open one to start”.
Given the abysmal vaccine rollout in the US I wouldn’t count on having a vaccine in time for summer travel if you are not in a priority group. We know the federal government isn’t going to do anything to solve these issues for another three weeks. Need two doses of the vaccines with three weeks between and another week and a half to two weeks after second dose to have immunity, so that is over a month after the vaccine actually becomes available to you. Its not like these countries are going to throw their borders open all of a sudden to the US. Summer seems like an overly optimistic view which really isn’t fitting in with the reality we have seen over the last several weeks.
@Bill While I agree the rollout has left a lot to be desired, you begin to get very robust immunity within 10-14 days after the initial shot.
@pho tastee Another China shill? It’s sad what their propaganda campaigns have done to people
@ Laurel: Are you serious about the news Taiwan does not want to open until 2024? I hope this is just a rumor.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/world/asia/taiwan-coronavirus-health-minister.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage This leads me to believe Taiwan won’t be opening up in 2021 regardless of vaccine progress.
I’ve been to Taiwan a dozen times, and as much as I want them to open up, I don’t think they will this year. They are extremely paranoid about covid and lock the place down if they have a single case.
Cool. But I’m still holding out for the 1st Class in Cathay ticketed in July: JFK HNG LHR WITH 24 hour transit at the Wing! 🙂
Thank you!!1