If anything, I would suggest that it is perhaps too easy to achieve meaningful status with BA - a single TP run to the US, even with another airline (such as the recent MAN-SAT deal with AA), is enough to get you to Silver and can cost under £1,000. For that relatively small investment you get lounge access for up to two years on all your short-haul flights in Y - and who, in their right mind, would actually pay for BA Club Europe on most routes these days? - as well as all the other benefits such as free seat selection (which, to me, is the most valuable benefit of all), priority check-in, security and boarding and additional Avios.