China Airlines reward seats using Qantas points

[ChrisFlyer]

Has anyone come across any CI MEL -AKL reward seats in J?

I saw business, premium economy and economy around the time the route launched but then the flights were busier on ExpertFlyer and so reward seats weren't as available.

 

[aspro2]

Am I missing something or does China Airlines not allow any bookings on CI57 (TPE-MEL) ?

I've commented on the MEL problem previously. Far fewer seats TPE-MEL/vv on QFF searches I've done in the last year compared to SYD/BNE. There are lots of Taiwanese in Melbourne, especially on Working Holidaymaker visas. Don't know about the other two cities.

 

[Yoz]

I've commented on the MEL problem previously. Far fewer seats TPE-MEL/vv on QFF searches I've done in the last year compared to SYD/BNE. There are lots of Taiwanese in Melbourne, especially on Working Holidaymaker visas. Don't know about the other two cities.

Super weird that there's no seats whatsoever though. It feels more like a policy/decision than it does a matter of availability, otherwise you wouldn't expect to see any in the opposite direction (MEL-TPE).

I can't think of many routes offered that you wouldn't find at least economy availability within the next year.

Other weird ones is that TPE-SYD and TPE-BNE only ever have 1 seat visible in Prem Eco.

Wonder if they were a bit sick of QFF redemptions to/from TPE after opening up the entire network to QFF redemptions.

We flew redeemed quite often before this, and there was always tons of availability even at short notice.

Might see if I can snag a J+PE going through SYD/BNE and let the missus have the J.

 

[tmdl]

Am I missing something or does China Airlines not allow any bookings on CI57 (TPE-MEL) ?

Using FlightSeats I can see:

• MEL-TPE on CI58
• SYD-TPE on CI52
• TPE-SYD on CI51

However, notably lacking is CI57 TPE-MEL across all the classes?

Was hoping for PE return on CI58/57 but that plan seems thwarted.

I managed to get my parents on this flight in J for July 2025 but I found that either what was available was snapped up very quickly. I've been looking and seems that almost nothing gets released

 

[johnjones878]

Other weird ones is that TPE-SYD and TPE-BNE only ever have 1 seat visible in Prem Eco.

Yeah used to see 5x + Y and PE and 2x J through BNE/SYD/MEL. Then sometime last year it looks like J got reduced down to a single seat for BNE/SYD both ways. Seems to be remaining the same from 8th Jan onwards.

It feels more like a policy/decision than it does a matter of availability

And this sort of thing doesn't usually end up getting reversed in the positive direction right lol? Wish there was a bit more competition eg with Velocity offering EVA flights but oh well.

 

[Yoz]

Yeah used to see 5x + Y and PE and 2x J through BNE/SYD/MEL. Then sometime last year it looks like J got reduced down to a single seat for BNE/SYD both ways. Seems to be remaining the same from 8th Jan onwards.


And this sort of thing doesn't usually end up getting reversed in the positive direction right lol? Wish there was a bit more competition eg with Velocity offering EVA flights but oh well.

When I checked a couple days ago there were some dates with 2x J Fares but none with 2x PE which is a bit weird. Many more dates with PE, but always 1x pax.

A touch annoying, as the wife is Taiwanese and MEL-TPE return in J was our go-to redemption

 

[flyguy77]

Wonder if they were a bit sick of QFF redemptions to/from TPE after opening up the entire network to QFF redemptions.

I think this is 100% likely.

So many people with Qantas Points and an insatiable demand for seats. Aussies were probably taking them all from their own FF members.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

I've commented on the MEL problem previously. Far fewer seats TPE-MEL/vv on QFF searches I've done in the last year compared to SYD/BNE. There are lots of Taiwanese in Melbourne, especially on Working Holidaymaker visas. Don't know about the other two cities.

I thought BNE had more Taiwanese than anywhere else in Australia.

 

[johnjones878]

When I checked a couple days ago there were some dates with 2x J Fares but none with 2x PE which is a bit weird. Many more dates with PE, but always 1x pax.

A touch annoying, as the wife is Taiwanese and MEL-TPE return in J was our go-to redemption

MEL still showing 2x PE and J for 5th and 7th January onwards though not selectable yet. BNE and SYD only 1x J from 2nd and 6th Jan onwards (haven't checked Y or PE). Guess December must be a blackout month as I only remember seeing MEL J up until late November last year.

I thought BNE had more Taiwanese than anywhere else in Australia.

Definitely the case. Searching CI award seats on Qantas over the years to and from BNE and days that were booked out still had plenty available through SYD/MEL instead. Stats also say more than half are in Queensland it seems.

 

[Yoz]

MEL still showing 2x PE and J for 5th and 7th January onwards though not selectable yet. BNE and SYD only 1x J from 2nd and 6th Jan onwards (haven't checked Y or PE). Guess December must be a blackout month as I only remember seeing MEL J up until late November last year.

Definitely the case. Searching CI award seats on Qantas over the years to and from BNE and days that were booked out still had plenty available through SYD/MEL instead. Stats also say more than half are in Queensland it seems.

Thanks. Seems there's weird availability/blackout from various routes that changes.

We managed to find 2x MEL-TPE in J and then returning TPE-HKG-MEL in PE.

 

[SimonR32]

Flying MEL-TPE later this week on classic reward flight... Lounge access in Melbourne, the below seems to imply we would have access to Qantas business class lounge?

WP status, not that I believe that will have any effect

https://www.skyteam.com/en/lounges/lounge-finder?airportcode=MEL&Token=v1%282b903d8d%2C376b7a97%2CMTPublic-BuemN5k4G%2C9f44fe53e229e82efa219b36e0edf7b8%2CfVMl38plXitcY3V3wf9wXSaSYSzDGGmYG4sb6JdP-73ePVZ9gt5YSZdg9l3348khqsghb0BLMU54HmERTKFHaDlTYjmoiSf_JGwRVU507KimjSbYoymO-8ICLjNCF8O4Qm1fOmzBcwSj0FjVQPrcsiIJYM96MkPcGF9am5ocj0V9URy5JImLE-nOSMdcavosBtFzCjeSOBKKjhnMc-2ABDPjTtttt1Px4o1GZvwPEpOi9u1eEPtIj_6Hs6SAXAPsJf2EzvkASZaKq8YLa0X7xdKMzxRmj5RQR8iYOugRP0kxXHYkKuZqpXND57N7Jx4Ugo6aZuzE_fBx-IRtg35kKV_ef3YsT3tZOWAsGg3qXzTMmDA05eGNw0ZrSh3KwwcQxrm-OAHqPCnB_4pZx22Yag**%29

 

[Yoz]

Flying MEL-TPE later this week on classic reward flight... Lounge access in Melbourne, the below seems to imply we would have access to Qantas business class lounge?

I think that's for Garuda, China Eastern, and Vietnam Airlines?

It looks to suggest China Airlines and Xiamen Air get access to the Marhaba Lounge which is consistent with the last few times I've flown J on China Airlines.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

MEL lounge arrangement for CI is quite good - they send you to whatever the EY lounge is now called, and on arrival you will be handed a special menu for CI pax that allows you to order a 3 course a la carte meal (in addition to eating whatever is on the buffet)

 

[Yoz]

MEL lounge arrangement for CI is quite good - they send you to whatever the EY lounge is now called, and on arrival you will be handed a special menu for CI pax that allows you to order a 3 course a la carte meal (in addition to eating whatever is on the buffet)

Is this recent? I've flown business MEL-TPE 4x in the last 5 years or so (last time was 2023) and always got sent to Marhaba Lounge and never received any a la carte menu

 

[aspro2]

Is this recent? I've flown business MEL-TPE 4x in the last 5 years or so (last time was 2023) and always got sent to Marhaba Lounge and never received any a la carte menu

Exactly! I'm jealous if I've missed out somehow !