Originally Posted by Aviatrix

I sort of agree with you... Elites should be given first refusal, and they should not have to pay.

KLM used to let Platinum and Gold Elites sit in exit row seats for free (while others had to pay) - and in those days the exit row seats usually had someone in them. Usually Gold Elites rather than Plats because you don't get to be Plat by travelling in Economy!

They then decided to make Gold Elites pay as well... and ever since then emergency exit rows have either been empty, or, on a completely full flight, filled with the last people to have checked in.