I just has an interesting experience with this issue.
I booked an aeroplan classic reward for my mother online and called in to get a preferred seat.
The agent said I can have the bulkhead for free but I would have to pay for the exit row because Tango and reward tickets are not eligible for complimentary exit rows.
I asked him to double check because I have done so in the past and he asked me to hold. After about 20 minutes on hold, he came back and said that he had to dig up so rules and he is able to get me the exit row for free.
After the call, I checked on AC.com and found the following:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...seats_faq.html
Preferred seats for Aeroplan flight rewards are complimentary for Air Canada Super Elite members and charges apply for all other customers.
A little more reading on the site and I find this:
Preferred seat selection is complimentary if you are:
So no I am really wondering:
- Can a SE reserve an exit row on an award seat?
- Can a SE reserve an exit row on a Tango fare?
I would think no to the Tango fare but the award seat really seems to have conflicting information out there.
PS. On a side note, I don't think the agent realized the booking was for my mother as we have the same last name. I would think if he knew it was not for me he would not have assigned the exit row so don't infer from here for family members as well.