Gold Benefits: econ bulkhead & emergency exit seat

I'm after a bit of clarification after some obvious confusion yesterday
I normally have no issue at all getting a bulkhead seat in PE
However, given the excuse that we call the credit crunch, my company only allows for Economy...
So, I check in at Narita yesterday, and ask for emergency exit seats if possible. Sorry, can't give you these unless you give us 75. I was kinda expecting this response. However....
Then get into the clubhouse (I do wish they'd get proper sausages instead of the miserable hotdog sausages), and ask again... No, sorry, 75 only. 'Confused,' says I. She double checks, and comes back again saying that I'd have to pay.... So, I agree to stay where I am...
Narita is the only place I've encountered so far that doesn't allow gold to use the emergency exit seats.... LHR it's done an hour before take off.
Am I wrong, or was my Narita experience a one off?
One last thing, once sat down in my seat, an incredibly beautiful member of the cabin crew apologized for me not getting an emergency exit seat and mentioned they had a couple of bulkhead available, and offered to get me champagne and choccies from UC (which went down wonderfully)
Confused....
Paul
I normally have no issue at all getting a bulkhead seat in PE
However, given the excuse that we call the credit crunch, my company only allows for Economy...
So, I check in at Narita yesterday, and ask for emergency exit seats if possible. Sorry, can't give you these unless you give us 75. I was kinda expecting this response. However....
Then get into the clubhouse (I do wish they'd get proper sausages instead of the miserable hotdog sausages), and ask again... No, sorry, 75 only. 'Confused,' says I. She double checks, and comes back again saying that I'd have to pay.... So, I agree to stay where I am...
Narita is the only place I've encountered so far that doesn't allow gold to use the emergency exit seats.... LHR it's done an hour before take off.
Am I wrong, or was my Narita experience a one off?
One last thing, once sat down in my seat, an incredibly beautiful member of the cabin crew apologized for me not getting an emergency exit seat and mentioned they had a couple of bulkhead available, and offered to get me champagne and choccies from UC (which went down wonderfully)
Confused....
Paul