Mixed-class award booking, not possible? (system limitations)

[uproared]

Hello,

I just attempted to book at MEL-BNE-LAX award in Business Class..
* The MEL-BNE leg is booked out in Business but available in Economy
* The BNE-LAX is available in both Business and Economy

I am happy to pay the 94k for the Business ticket but sit in Economy for the MEL-BNE leg, however I was presented with a number of issues when trying to book this via the contact center...
1. I was going to be charged the equivalent of 2 separate tickets to book this (i.e. 94k PLUS the economy MEL-BNE cost)
2. It turned out that due to a system limitation, the rep wasn't even able to book it all under the one PNR anyway. With a layover of only 1 hr 40 in BNE, this would have made 2 separate tickets non-compliant.

Surely there is a way to make this work? I'd expect that I could have this ticketed under the one PNR for 94k.... I do it all the time with Qantas.

(FYI - I ended up booking MEL-SYD-BNE-LAX all in Business class, for 94k... but far from ideal! Please PM me if you want PNRs.)

Thanks!