I've often used QC to move up from an assigned row 7 or 10 (I hate those with no windows) to 4 or 5.

Having said that I think it would be a neat benefit, and wouldn't be too noticable to the "infrequent flyers" if the system only allowed PS,SG & WP to allocate within the first X rows. Just show them as unavailable to a NB ior whatever. If you're a QC member then allow you to go forward too if you like.

UA's seat block is a good one and seems to work fairly well but obviously QF don't feel that is an appropriate way to go. If I was NB I wouldn't be unhappy if I couldn't access the first few rows....