Originally Posted by
travelmad478
I had to request BA to open up some award seats for me recently--they did it, but charged me double points for the seats (I have zillions so I didn't mind much). I believe there was some mention of my Gold status making the entire thing possible. I had it in my head that as a Gold I would have one chance per year to request unavailable award seats, without the double-points thing, but I guess I was just dreaming that.
Yes, this is a benefit of your status. You have the ability to basically get a seat that under other circumstances would never be released for miles redemption, on request and by using double the miles to do so. I believe, but may be mistaken, it can be done twice in a membership year, or something along those lines.