Unfortunately Dan is +1. :'-(
To eliteflyer: why would you assume this?
In the past I've had a couple of things working. (For me changing a ticket which cost money falll in the same category).
* a Swiss ticket for my brother, where they wanted over $200 to change (was mistakenly booked on erev 9 av).
I told them they should look at my personal flying record (via m&m senator), and they will see that its my cc paying my brothers ticket.
I said I understand paying for an upgrade, overweight, I'm not asking for a breach in security, but just a change in date, which is just a few clicks for the airline. I said, fine, I will pay $20 for your time. She said she can't do it, so I said: I'm calling back tomorrow, and I want it changed, and lx shoudnt dare charge me for it. I called the next day, and it was changed for free.
*i managed to change a dividend (US) ticket for free, which was ticketed already, by playing dumb and all confused.
*showing respect, being friendly, and humble, and irritate the agents "mercy-sensors goes along way to get things done that in general woud not be done.