I was able to obtain an expanded inventory seat today, 1st time ever, while calling in to apply a Citibank Reduced Mileage Award on a held itinerary. That itin wasn't an ideal routing (extra AE segment) so I explained my travel plans, that I've not had any luck before but since I had to call in for the Citibank booking anyway could she please take a look for expanded T inventory. Of the three more direct flights I'd hoped for the last one worked out and a T seat was there for me! EF shows all classes are at 7 or more on all three flights but the seat map for the one I was able to get on was the most open. I know, seat maps are not a great data point, just sharing it for what it's worth, not that much
EF showed T0 before and after the transaction on that flight.