It's possible, but I asked her the question very specifically and she gave me a very clear answer. She was also very clear that if I wanted to change any of the flights, then a change fee would apply.

I also asked how long it's been like this and she said this was policy ever since she came on board (~1.5 years ago).

Come to think of it, the other time I did this I had booked the flight on expedia so maybe that's why they had to do the runaround, to modify a 3rd party booking?