I had exactly the same issue, but flying from the UK. I couldn't justify spending an extra £1400 for an increase in flexibility to a fare that allowed me to pay £200 to change the ticket plus difference in fare. I phoned the Gold line, they couldn't help, so I'm flying Emirates via Dubai, fully flexible with a free stopover in a 5* hotel for cheaper.

I asked the Gold line to pass on my comments as BA were going to directly going to lose business due to the ticket rules. The answer I got was "the calls are monitored, so they'll pick it up". I didn't bother replying.

I find this a shame, because I did want to fly BA, but couldn't justify it this time.