Originally Posted by
tris06
Yes its true they have stopped allowing Business class in combination with premium economy for flights from Europe/USA to Australia/NZ.
The reason? It was just too generous. TPE-AUS/NZ is not really Asia and not short haul.
They are still allowing Business in combination with premium economy to Asian destinations like HKG/BKK.
Your best bet is to see what are the terms of the ticket. Can it be changed? Without cost or with cost? Call CI and see if the date can be rolled back 3/4 months even with a fee it would make it worth doing.
But definitely all newly issued tickets will just be economy in the future.
This is the main reason why they need the A350/B777 on the routes to AUS/NZ because its firstly nearly impossible to book PE to Europe when the first leg only offers Economy/Business. And also people will want PE all the way not just for the first flight if your starting from Europe/USA.
Thanks, tris06, for clearing this up. The change fee on my ticket is only $100 (maybe each way) but I'm guessing they would reissue under the new terms. I really don't want to work any longer anyhow -- unless my boss will pay the cost of moving up to business, I think. That would change my $1752 roundtrip ticket to $5500+. Even continuing the booking in PE and moving back a month raises the fare by $510, not counting any change fee (and it rebooks into B for the TPE-NZ legs.
tom