the fares are online only available at Chinese-language booking sites mentioned in my OP item 8. Unfortunately there is no English listing. You will have to call CX in Taipei (number see OP) for any current fare quotes. Again, it appears that "I" is now the cheapest biz class, not D anymore.
The Chinese web sites listed in OP item 8 do not list any I or D fares for US destinations, although such fares are available from CX via the phone. I don't know why that is, no TA has ever given me satifactory answer. I reckon it's part of the agreement between TAs and CX. Just for reference, I fares ex Taipei are mostly around USD 2500 ++ for Europe and US West Coast and 3500 USD for NYC. The newly priced D fares are 20% above that. There are no visible restrictions to I fares, other than limited availability. I fares to Australia, to complete the story, sell for USD 1000 only, a real bargain methinks.
I have posted an explanation of why the situation is so strange in another thread and I am copying it here for reference.
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A few years ago, CX wanted to introduce the same fares it offers through travel agents on their website (in the section "Online Fares". Ex Hong Kong they have a lot, ex Taipei they only have Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. All other fares are normal and very high fares.)
So CX call all their TA and ask their opinions. Allegedly, all hell broke loose and the more influential TAs basically threatened to stop selling CX tickets. Now CX gets a LOT (repeat LOT) of business from Taiwan, and the populus, while living in a country with one of the highest broadband penetration rate in the world, still is not very savvy when it comes to booking flights on line.
Two major reasons why CX depends on TAs so much:
a) The vast majority of Taiwanese travel in groups and buy their tickets in groups.
b) As a Taiwan citizen it is very difficult to get visas for most countries. Some countries only accept visa applications made through a TA. To get a Schengen visa as an individual travel with ROC passport for example, you need to supply a bank statement, confirmed ticket, contact information, (invitation letter), and and and. If you travel in a tour group through a registered TA, you only need to provide a valid passport.
Facit: CX depends on TAs for most of their business, ergo: no competitive fares online. They were able to negotiate a few fares to places where Taiwanese travel a lot alone, namely: Japan, Korea, Hong Kong. That's why you see competitive fares for these places online.
Now the good news: the TA agreed that CX market cheap e-tickets (Y and J) for the exact price the TAs offer, via telephone. You can call CX in Taipei (02) 27152333 and buy e-tickets to most destinations for 500 to 1000 TWD more than you find them on ezfly.com, zuji.com.tw, startravel.com.tw etc.