Originally Posted by
sts603
Why didn't you go via LHR?
+1. Or MAD. Or ORD. Or DFW. When you run into resistance like this, a frontal assault rarely works. You think you can batter them into submission, that somebody will cave in just to get you to go away. An end-around usually works better.
Given the plethora of viable alternatives that you did not suggest, I don't think compensation is in order.
Next year, why not book your colleague on EC, since that is where he wants to be?