The trick is to keep checking for what seating is available to you. On our recent trip to Rome, where they were flying pineapples, the Comfort Plus seating became available on the outbound about 8 days prior for no extra cost. On the way back, it was not bookable until checkin. You could always pay and get guaranteed, but in the end we did not have any issues as an SE and E flying in the "front" for no extra charge (and no upgrade points required).

We would have preferred real Exec First, but it was better than cattle class with no additional cost^