Obtaining exit row on AA flight as part of ONE4 ticket

[TravFF]

Greetings,

It's been a long time since I posted here, mainly lurking these days...

My wife and I have ONE4 tickets MEL-LHR-NCL-LHR-VIE-drive-FCO-CHI-MCO-drive-MIA-LAS-LAX-MEL. Both of us are lowly NB plebs (our work does not let us travel much, and we tend to pick up cheap international fares that don't accumulate QFF points/SC) so we're not exactly well positioned to get the best seats. Nonetheless, in the past we have used QFF points/cash to purchase exit row seating 7 days prior to departure, or to hope like hell at the airport on the day of travel.

I am wondering about whether it is possible to organise a similar arrangement for the long-haul Rome (via Chicago) to Orlando flight. We've been allocated seats 35E and 35G on an AA Boeing 767 Jet (which are not particularly good seats according to Seat Guru) FCO-CHI and seats 22A and 22B on a Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80 Jet CHI-MCO (again, not great seats) and I would much prefer to get to an exit row if possible. Okay, I'd rather be up front, but that ain't gonna happen any time soon, I suspect!!!

Is it possible to use QFF points to obtain an exit row seating on an AA flight when purchased as part of a ONE4 ticket? Is this the best use of points? Should I pay for it instead (I can't find the price/points required)? Can I book this in advance, or only hope for availability on the day by showing up hours early for check-in?

Any and all advice welcomed!

Thanks in advance!

 

[serfty]

Oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and emerald have access to exit row and other "preferred" seats on AA flights for "free".

It is not possible to purchase these seats.

It may be possible to upgrade to business/first class FCO-ORD-MCO using 25,000 AA miles and USD350 co-pay each or find a sponsor with some SWU's to gift.

You can purchase 50,000 AA miles this month for ~USD1045.

 

[drron]

Theoretically if you have status with QFF your chances increase of selecting a better seat.However I remember well when JohnK was planning his trip that included AA segments I as an AA plat had better choices than he as a QFF WP even though his OW status was higher than mine.
Have you looked on aa.com to see if other seats available?