This may be controversial to ask but why does there need to be a charge to select your seat ahead of time? Is there any extra cost to the airline if they let you select when you book? (Not counting preferred seats)
When you buy tickets to a concert you get to choose the seats without having to pay extra, even when buying cheap tickets. Imagine if they said you had to pay extra to pick your actual seat or wait till 24 hours in advance and then pick seats in the level you bought your tickets.
For years there was no charge for selecting your seat. I get no frills, you don't get food for example without paying extra, but then the airline saves too. How does no advanced seat selection actually save the airline money and reduce costs?
Is it not just a money grab?