I have E35k. Every single time I have book a reward flight on Aeroplan, I get auto assigned a seat at the very back of the plane, and have to call up AC and speak to an agent in person to be able to select a seat (non preferred) without paying the seat selection fee, or to get the 50% rate for preferred seats. I don't know why they make this so difficult, but it is a huge inconvenience, as there is often a 5-10 minute wait (or longer) you have to sit on hold waiting for the agent (or maybe I just have bad luck)?