Confirmed the Indian Rep was, in fact, blatantly lying to me on the phone and just wanted to get me off the line.

Today I was able to book the very same flight online, which the Indian Rep told me was "most definitely" not available anymore. I suspect there was something wonky with BA's website yesterday (surprise, surprise...).

I can only underscore once more, British Airways is the Somali Airlines of Milage Programs.
United get so much .... in the press (some of it rightfully so), but if I compare their milage program, website, app , upgrade policy, redemption availability and pretty much anything else I can think of, it makes BA look like Bulgaria Air or Somali Airlines.

To summarize why BA sucks

• Their website, app and everything else involving technology is garbage and an affront to their customers & members
• Their customer service (even for Gold members) is pathetic
• 30mins waiting on the phone is not unheard of even for gold members
• Avios are pretty much worthless, because you're gonna find it easier to win the scratchcard lottery than find award flights

If it wasn't for all the hardworking common people at BA, I would say this is a clear example of a company that deserves to go bankrupt and have it's assets sold to someone who starts from scratch with a whole new management. This company is an insult to the British heritage and should not be allowed to have British in it's name.