Well theres a flexible ticket and then theres a bit of operator unwritten flexibility to change to an earlier flight on the same day which is what EI allows and what I was talking about.
I wasn't referring to anything else- ergo imho they are being commercially stupid by not giving lee way within reason over the course of a few hours.
EI certainly wouldn't allow you to change to a different day on cheap tickets without a big charge or they mightn't allow you at all.