Slightly different experieince but same result if you now book KLM/AF (not DL codeshare) through a travel agent. Previously it was necessary to ask the travel agent to request any changes to the booking, add Skymiles no., to request seat assignments, and often (for me at least) this meant several phone calls to get even a reasonable seat assignment, and certainly no access to preferred seating. On a very recent booking, however, I was given full online access to the booking, including adding Skymiles no, and to choice of preferred seating, including exit rows. ^