What’s the deal with BA’s free seat selection?

[Darababrob]

Could anyone shed some light on the (in-)consistency of free seat selection on BA flights?

I had a (avios) Club World flight (LGW-PUJ) in January and could select the outbound seats for free but had to pay for return (no status at the time).
I now have BA Bronze status (meant to be free seat selection 7 days in advance but no exit row seats). I then booked a (avios again) European short haul flight in economy and could select an exit row seat for the return flight only. Are Bronze members generally meant to be able to book free exit row seats? Related, BA say that Silver can select exit row seats for free on shorthaul, but not longhaul flights. Is this how it actually works in practice? Exit row seats would be a massive game changer for me, so would be great to know.

[NorthernLass]

Sounds like a glitch in the system – sometimes I can select seats for free on a domestic connection but it’s never happened on long haul, sadly. Bronze doesn’t usually get access to exit row seats until general check in, AFAIK.