Hang on.... Unless you were on a more expensive booking code or silver / gold card holder, you couldn't always pick your seats in advance anyway. I flew to BKK just before this new thing was introduced and couldn't pick seats until check in. For me, the introduction of this paying to pick your seats is really just something added for those who did want to pick their exact seats. If you wanna pay for it then do, if you don't then don't, it's nos as bad as everyone keeps making out.