Originally Posted by
Globaliser
What's unfair about it? Y is the most expensive booking class in the economy cabin, and comes with this additional feature.
If you book any other cash booking class in the economy cabin, it does not come with free seat pre-allocation, in the same way as award seats don't.
I'm also not sure why it is unfair, since you are paying far more for a Y fare.
HBO fares specifically does not allow seat selection* but is cheaper than a non-HBO fare, Y specifically includes free seat selection.
Avios earning depends on the fare bucket as well even though you're travelling in the same cabin.
*With some exceptions