Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
For the best chance, be sure to bring hard copies (printouts) of your Saudia receipt showing the ticket number and your Saudia reservation/itinerary/PNR. Ask nicely but confidently, as if you don't expect it to be a problem (to discourage the agent from wondering/doubting and then checking the actual rules).
+1 — They can totally do this and it used to be routine for legacy airlines (before the consolidation of the last decade). It’s just a fairly recent policy change in an attempt to reduce workload/liability. In addition to above advice; try to go to a more tenured agent who might have more routinely done this in the past.