Originally Posted by
travelingdrsuz
Friend just got Gold. Check in is 24 hours and all remaining MCE seats were available to her. In fact, that was a 787 DFW-DUB RT, so many were taken, but she managed to get a bulkhead window (which she wanted), and sleep. When I was Gold it was also 24 hours and all remaining. Caveat is exit seat requirements as any day. Are exit seats excluded? On my past several flights at least some exit seats were not taken even when I checked in, and I select at booking. Either way, MCE on larger planes sometimes is located in two areas as well. Just make sure you choose the orange ones. The green ones are the same old seat with a dollar sign.
Benefits.
This is a different issue than the OP was asking about. At least on AA domestic flights, there typically are two bulkhead seats blocked and unavailable for all passengers, irrespective of one's status. I believe the reason for this is that they are reserved for passengers with disabilities, if needed. But these seats always open up to all eligible passengers prior to departure, perhaps at the 12-hour mark as suggested by this discussion.