Originally Posted by
V1213
As per the
Updates to WestJet’s baggage and pre-reserved seat fees thread from October 2023, it seems that was the time that functionality to pay for seat selection during check-in was rolled out.
If seat selection at check-in has been free since then it's because the flight was full so all seats had to be used, regardless.
That refers to preferred and exit row seats. There was no fee for me (a nobody) to select non-preferred seats at check in in May. The current WestJet table, and the OP's experience, suggest that even selecting a non-preferred seat in the back of the plane at check-in now carries a fee.