I book trans Pacific flights on CX in J and while my TA has found full fare fully refundable tickets e.g. J fare basis) , the D or I fares with $100-$200 penalties are so much cheaper (less than 1/2 the cost, saving US$4,000+) than the ticket that it would make no sense to pay for full fare J. I have to imagine Y is similar.

So HKD1,800 might be the fee but the alternative might be a full fare Y ticket that costs more than even a business class ticket with a change/refund fee smaller than the fare difference.

But they do have YIF fares, no penalties on Expert Flyer. The cost is unbelievable.