While it is true what the OP laments about, it does not depend on their UA status whatsoever.
I have the very same experience as
merlin even when I am travelling as SEN.
Originally Posted by
merlin
On intra-Europe flights in Y I end up in the last 3-4 rows about 99% of the time!
I used to believe that this was a punishment for using 016 tickets but two weeks ago, I was on the same FDH-FRA route you were and they tried to move me back again. So maybe it is a punishment for connecting flights

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