So the detailed T&C are available:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...tralegroomseat
Some interesting highlights:
**Free of charge for Silver tier or above members of The Marco Polo Club (Not applicable to spouse, companions or oneworld members).
So if you are travelling with a non-member, and you have status, your companion can no longer get an exit row without paying - currently a non-member will be able to sit next to you if you request an exit row.
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...roomseat/tandc
Cathay Pacific Airways have the sole discretion, at check-in or boarding, to determine whether a passenger meets the requirements to sit on an Extra-legroom Seat. If he or she does not meet any one of the above safety requirements, Cathay Pacific may re-assign a regular Economy seat before or during the journey without refund of the Extra-legroom Seat reservation fees.
There will be no refund of the Extra-legroom Seat fees if, in accordance with fare rules of your ticket, you choose to move to a different flight, cancel your flight, or make other voluntary flight changes.
The Extra-legroom Seat is non-transferrable and non-refundable.
So basically there is no refund once you pay your fee. Which also means once a non-status member buys their seat, a status member can't push them out.