VIP time must be active (not just VIP level) to get VIP benefits. Leveling up grants 24h VIP time; after that you must use VIP Time items, which are CUMULATIVE (stacking a new item extends the active period). Recommended method: buy VIP 30 Days on the Black Market for 3,000 gems (semi-F2P -- gems accumulate within 30 days without paying); the Black Market usually shows it at least once per 30-day window. Black Market prices: VIP 30 Minutes 3,000 resources; 60 Minutes 6,000 resources; 1 Day 190 gems; 7 Days 990 gems; 30 Days 3,000 gems. Store (pricier): 1 Day 250 gems; 7 Days 1,500 gems; 30 Days 4,000 gems. The Wheel of Fortune (tavern) can drop VIP 60 Minutes even though not listed. Paid packages can include VIP time. The page recommends always keeping 30-day VIP active. It covers only acquiring VIP-time items, not per-VIP-level benefits (those are on separate linked pages). Note (comment, unverified): a VIP-100-point item appears on the wall server gift at 17:00 server time, and a free VIP 60 Minutes at 19:00. For a bot, keep VIP time continuously active (buy 30-Day on the Black Market with accumulated gems; grab the daily wall VIP items) since VIP unlocks extra queues, faster stamina recovery and buffs.
Original research source: Evony Guide Wiki