I think you all perhaps need a lesson in yield management (and perhaps agreed some Airlines/Staff may need lessons in Customer Service) but you have to bear a few things in mind.
I guess you are talking about redemption tickets, which essentially will be handled in the same way as a mid-lower fare class ticket (I dont mean cabin class I mean fare class); whereas restrictions may/will apply, in order that the airline has space to sell higher fare class tickets in the same cabin and maximise its revenue. You cannot expect full flexibility unless you pay full fare.
However, having said that, perhaps 'on the night' when the flight(s) were closed for sale, the Station Manager would usually have authority to accept the ticket if there was space available.
Agreed it is not good to treat frequent travellers (or anyone essentially) so strictly in such cases, but the contract between the passenger and the airline should be a two way relationship with understanding/acceptance on both sides, something passengers (I am sorry to say) continue to forget.
[This message has been edited by Icarus (edited 24 June 2001).]