Not sure what I think of this, but I do think it is unrealistic to expect BA to offer lounge access to the status passenger who does lots of RFS or low cost economy travel and just 2 return CW trips and who just scrapes silver.

I am all for rewarding frequent fliers, but giving them an open-ended benefit like lounge access at all times for them and a guest has always struck me as overly generous. It can't make sense for BA as each trip to the lounge bar eliminates the slim profit on a RFS or cheap fare. It also degrades the experience for those who actually stump up for a business class fare and disincentivises status passengers from purchasing business fares when they will get lounge access anyway.

Why not reward frequent flyers with a limited number of lounge passes per year. Recognise their custom but keep the costs manageable (and the lounges less busy).