I have an I ticket booked SYD-HKG-SGN. Due to a 7 hour layover in HKG, I want to change to an earlier flight HKG-SGN. That flight has plenty (9) of I availability.
Unfortunately SYD-HKG-SGN has 0 I availability - so can’t change without a change in fare class.
Yes CX definitely manages connecting inventory separately. It can cut both ways . . . sometimes the connecting itinerary (e.g., SFO-HKG-BKK) has I when SFO-HKG does not.
I've had to argue (politely) with CX phone agents when they claim not to see I inventory that EF shows. Eventually I got my ticket rebooked in I.