Originally Posted by
bocastephen
if an Elite member was seated in the back because E+ was full when they bought their ticket and a seat in the exit row or E+ opened up, then yes, they should be offered that seat before it's assigned to a nonrev, or even a revenue standby without status.
Elites can select E+ seats at check-in, or earlier, until the flight it put under gate control ~1hr prior to departure. When under gate control, an elite can ask the agent to change their seat if an E+ seat opens up.
Non-Elite will typically have to pay a fee for an E+ seat. They can make that choice during booking, at check-in, or with an agent. If the seat remains open after boarding, an F/A can process the fee and give them the new seat.
NRSA passengers can't select a seat. We can put in a preference for aisle or window, avoid bulkhead, etc., that is considered by the automation which clears the standby list at T-30 (domestic). It will award the best seat still available in the highest available cabin for which the passenger listed, just as it does with revenue standbys.
If you think a better seat will open up when the upgrades are run, talk to the gate agent about moving to an E+ seat that is vacated by an upgrade before the automated run. There is no automation that will do it.