Originally Posted by
TWCLAM
Unsure on how CX grade bookings so idk if S is above V but we just booked our 1st CX flight and during the booking process it asked for FF details. I entered our BAEC details and it picked up on our OW Sapphire status and allowed us to book extra legroom seats for free during the booking process ( point of note: I dint have a CX/ Marco Polo account when booking. It didnt 1st time but booking crashed and when I tried again it picked up on status)
Flying BA 1st LHR-HKG then back from BKK in Business Class on an Amex 2-4-1 and had to do some arm twisting to get the lady to agree to CX as flights HKG-CNX are available a LOT cheaper but there was no way I was missing out on the CX lounges at HKG

I’m not sure how your second paragraph is related to all this, but okay.
With regards to having status, CX has always allowed free seat selections for OWS and OWE, regardless of booking class.