I wasn't suggesting my friend (it wasn't on mine) is or had any complexes about it (he didn't even notice it). I only mentioned that he gets relatively high number of Op Ups because I've noticed, am envious and have always wondered whether he was just lucky because his flights (always SFO) are always busy or his CIV score was towards the end of gold, etc.

It's the geek in me that is curious about it. Less because of "VIP" connotations but more about why 1 GCH has a different boarding pass / different letters on his BP than another.

So is it TA inputted, BA inputted, related to the company he works for, etc?

If it means 'nothing', still be curious of why someone clearly spent some time / effort coming up with a system / coding for it and what intention was?