Similar experience in Nov - my husband and I were in 8D & E from ANC to HNL (I'm Gold and he's MVP) - we purchased tickets & got seat assignments WAY in advance. At gate our name is called; go to GA who asks if we would switch to exit row because somehow 2 infants/toddlers had ended up seated in those rows. We were assured we could still sit together so we agreed. Handed our new board passes and we went straight to gate as flight was about done boarding by this time, never even looked at the seat assignment. Lo and behold we were in row 12 in FRONT of the exit row and NO RECLINING. I was livid that they would do that to me as a Gold. Flight was packed and there seemed to be no recourse but I did email AS later and we each received a $100 discount coupon, so at least it does pay to complain sometimes!