Exactly.

The block feature is virtually useless for frequent travelers. (This includes Diamonds). Unless the plane is virtually empty, everything becomes available 24-48 hours out. And any elite can select (or the check in agent "helpfully" recommends them to select) the seat next to you.

Cynically, I do have to give CX/KA credit, though....I have almost complete ceased buying Y tickets altogether. I used to buy regional Y, but now rarely if ever do I do this. The lack of seat block is indeed a large reason why. (However, I also fly faaarrrr more non-CX carriers than I did 4-5 years ago, in large part due to the overall declining standards on CX, including obviously low hanging fruit like getting a properly functioning seat block and a subpar regional J in light of CX pricing. The Amadeus system CX bought a few years ago can actually do a highly advanced seat block, for crying out loud! Just CX doesn't/can't utilize it for whatever reason).

That's why I like the good old manual block given to me by RJ. Once the agent blocks it, it's 99% blocked (unless of course someone suddenly buys like 50 tickets) in the last 2 hours before the flight. If I check If If I check in at the counter/ Airport Express station, then I ask the agent to do it, if I OLCI, then I ask the lounge agent to call the counter. At the gate, I ask the agent to check the map for me, so that I know that I don't have anyone next to me ( in case someone onboard asks to sit there).

What really helps me on CX is that the seat map on expert flyer is available right up to departure (some carriers block it when OLCI starts) , so on long hauls I monitor the situation and ask the folks in the lounge to resit me if my adjacent seat becomes occupied. Never been refused and the strategy has really worked well for me ....in 95% of the time I manage to get 1 or 2 empty seats next to me on CX long haul.

Is there any way you can reclaim the empty seat?

My dad had FA move the squatting pax out of the middle seat years before. But I dunno if FAs will do so these days.

Happened to me one time before. It was the exit row. The suspicious looking woman moved there when I went to the toilet.

I am on the same boat and recently have been hesitating about whether AA or MPC. It's extremely hard to get MPC credits given almost all domestic AA flights are considered short (<2750 miles). The segment-oriented MPC makes the decision easier (for now) to put the credits on AA...

No worry. They treat me like this as well... I understand if I'm in C or H on a 2-4-2.. But c'mon, I'm in D and there're tons of E (and F for 2-4-2) or even A / K seat left!

Maybe only DMP gets the real "till the last seat" seat block nowadays... But I guess DMP won't take Y...