Got to MAN last night about 4 hours before my flight. I tried to check in at the SSCI, but it wouldn't let me for some reason. I went to the ticket desk, and they offered to put me on an earlier flight for £30. This was a completely inflexible ticket - but they made the offer. I declined, as it was coming out of my own pocket, and I had work to do in the lounge (and booze to consume).

The meeting I was at today was finished by 1pm. I'd made the return (20:25) semi-flexible (H fare) so I could change the time if necessary. I got to the lounge, and the lady checked and said there was plenty of room on the 15:25 service. I went to the ticket counter and they said the only thing I could do was buy another J ticket for £150 (H was sold out, so I couldn't change).

Slightly p*ssed off, but rules is rules. However, when I got back to the lounge, the lady said "Don't worry, go to the standby desk at 3pm", and gave me a knowing wink. She also seemed to made a note on my booking.

3pm came, and I went to the standby desk as requested. The lady there took one look at my ticket, and said is was inflexible, and there was nothing she could do.

So, I'm now stuck at LHR until 20:25...

I understand that there are rules, and I probably should have paid for a fully flexible ticket, but why did the ticket counter at MAN offer to change my cheapo inflexible ticket for £30?

Why do the lounge dragons tell you one thing, when the ticket counter tell you another?

Consistency is all I want!

Anyway, rant over, I'm going to try and get my ticket price back in free booze

Cheers,
Rick