Maxwell Smart

Am looking to book a one-way transcon trip for a family group of 5. As a gold, I'm supposed to get E+ for me plus 1 at time of booking, or 'preferred' seats for up to 8. All other pax are non-status.
When I get to seat selection, the system automatically selected the #4 person of my group to get free E+ (along with me as #1), and showed a charge for E+ for the others.
I rearranged the passenger selection, and this time it gave free E+ to the #2 person (along with me as #5). So I always got it, but the second person was random, not linked to either name or position.
Of course, I know I can just select seats and then call to have them rearranged, but am curious as to what's going on.

Also, any suggestions/strategy for maximizing free E+? (will NOT be paying any extra, since cost of E+ alone is 3/4 of the ticket price itself). I was planning on putting 2 in last row of E+ and other 3 in the E- row right behind, with myself in the worst possible seat (middle E-), thus on the off-chance I get upgraded I give the F seat to a family member and I take theirs. And yes, we can live in E- for a transcon if that's what happens.
Other than that, any other thoughts?

jonu

I think you have to put yourself, as the Gold, in E+

Maxwell Smart

When booking, yes, but would I not be able to call in and move myself to E- and put 2 of my companions in E+?

mahasamatman

Not as the rules are written. You get yourself plus one. If you move to E-, only one person will get E+.

jsloan

No, the benefit is not "two people on your reservation," it's "you plus a companion."

Maxwell Smart

Thank you all for the clarification, my interpretation is apparently incorrect.
Guess I'll be throwing myself to the whims of a merciful reservation agent who may be willing to reshuffle the seat assignments!