Originally Posted by ijgordon

Well she's not going to be getting MCE seats for free unless and until that's all that's available. Even if it's middle seat in last row and a dozen MCE seats, she'll get the middle seat in the back. That gamble probably isn't worth it, IMO.

Preferred seats should start coming more available at T-24 if not a little earlier; but I think sometimes those are saved for elites or non-elites willing to pay $ (at least until airport checkin).

I really see no disadvantage to her retaining her current seat assignment. Just keep checking back frequently, especially starting a little before OLCI opens. I think even if you could remove the seat assignment (which would most likely require agent intervention), there's a chance the system would re-assign it anyway.