Confusion over checking in hand luggage with HBO fare
Apologies if this has been discussed before.
I remember seeing on this forum that you can always check in your hand luggage for free regardless of the check-in allowance. So I flew EDI-LCY yesterday (Gold on HBO) and wanted to do it. However the ground staff told me it should be chargeable, although he's waiving it this time. I brought up the hand luggage point but he said "it's only applicable on busy flights".
Are there any official rules regarding this, or is it purely dependent on the interpretation of the staff?