I have today been issued my e-tix for travel from AiNZ (086) with LH sectors FRA-EDI-FRA. All seats require a fee of some level. The fare classes are Q and Y (ouch!) and the flights are under their LH flight number (not code-share). I have used both web and app - but the results are identical - I must pay EUR 15.44 for Classic Seat thru EUR 22.2- for Preferred Zone.

Seems very stingy to not allow free seat allocation for basic seats, especially for the full Y fare! Is this the normal situation when e-tix is issued by another carrier?

If I don't pay, what can I expect regarding seat (auto-)allocation? I am NZ*G as other posts suggest status does make a difference?