Originally Posted by monkeys

I'm probably completely missing something but I'm confused - from skimming over this thread, it seems that MCE seats should not be available on an award booking, but I *am* able to choose them (as well as the starred seats that are "for elite members").

I have no status at all with AA, and this is a coach award ticket (20k miles) from JFK to LAX. I do have the Aviator Red credit card.

On the seat selection screen I can choose between a couple "normal" (i.e. middle, rear) seats, a number of starred "for elite members" seats, and many MCE seats, including exit row.

After selecting my seat (MCE, for example), I'm brought to the payment screen, where I can hold or pay. I can go as far through the process as possible without actually buying the ticket, and at no point are extra charges added (it's just 20k + $5.60 regardless of what seat I pick).

1) Why can I choose these seats? Is this expected?

2) Will AA later change my seat if I book one of these?