Gold/Platinum Velocity experiences with seating on Etihad?

What are any Gold/Platinum Velocity members experiences like with seat allocation on Etihad flights when booked through the Virgin website? Especially if booked in economy. Recently traveled from AUH-IST in economy and was allocated seat 28F, booked 6 months in advance.

About a yr ago as a V Plat and I got last row on the plane on one leg! and 3/4 back on the next. I was quite convinced that I received absolutely no preference as a VP. Shame they don't operate as Air NZ did as their recognition is impressive. Hopefully they've worked on this in the interim - especially with the Sabre changeover. In addition to the feedback you receive here, it may be worth a call to Virgin - they might be able to assist.

I'm Velocity Gold and recently flew MEL-CDG return on Etihad in economy (albeit booked as an EY ticket). Their automated seat selection online definitely didn't give any preferential options. However, check for VA Gold/Plat is through the Etihad business class counter at the airport and they were more than accommodating to find much better seats (exit rows) for me on all four legs. If possible I recommend getting to the airport on the early side, show them your Velocity card and smile.

Thanks for the info! Should have mentioned had a 9 hour layover in Abu Dhabi, so went to check-in counter 9 hours before flight to get luggage transferred through and get boarding passess, went to Gold and Gold Elite Lane and presented Platinum Card and.........nada. Didn't ruin my flight or spoil my holiday (and I know these benefits are not a right), but I guess if these programs are supposed to be reciprocal and they advertise benefits such as preferential seating, they should provide it. Surely there were some better seats than two thirds back in the plane. I actually rang etihad a couple of motnhs before hand and asked for different seats and was apparently given seats in row 19 H and K in the smaller economy cabin. Then rang velocity a month later and was apparently assigned 17 HK, but when checked in in Abu Dhabi, original seats were the ones assigned. I noticed there is no recognition of FF status on the Etihad boarding pass either.

I recently booked a Velocity FF ticket SIN/BNE on Etihad Business class and at the time of booking (by phone) got the seat I requested.     Obviously better to speak to a person when booking.