The 'non-elite' part of this is interesting. Perhaps QF haven't given the full story (how much of the Y flying public - which generally includes me I hasten to add - would even know about Platinums and the existing exit row benefit). Maybe Plats will still be able to reserve unsold exit seats ahead of time at no charge. Or maybe not.

How does it work on UA/VS? If a status pax books a flight and asks for an exit row, is it just what is left available that they haven't already sold to a non-status pax? And if a non-status pax comes along later and wants to pay $$$ for an exit, I'm guessing they cannot displace the status pax already in that seat?