"On a more travel related ending. I am BA Gold and have been for many years on the European program (>5000 tier points annually mind you...). How does this work. I know that BA doesn't have a program in A/NZ and thus I need to pick things up with QF. Is there a formal 'hand-over' or am I relegated to requalifying?"

You are relegated to requalifying I think. When BA shut down their Executive Club in Australia, they migrated members to QF iirc. I don't think that you can still do this.

It isnt really an issue though. Pretty much, all you will really lose are some miles whilst you qualify. The BA Gold card will get you Business / 1st check in facilities at the airport plus use of the QPs and 1st Lounges. If you are travelling internationally, you may not get a P sticker for premium immigration lines though. I am not sure if you will get priority luggage handling.

You may be worth, depending on your travel profile, keeping to the BA card for a while since getting Gold in continental europe only requires 800 TCs iirc, whilst you will need 1400SCs to attain QF platinum.

Dave