I joined the exec club in 1991and am now on about 32,000 points. Most of my travel has been short haul over the years with maybe one or two long haul BA trips per year. I'm lucky that I fly now in either CE, CW or F and yes I pay for my CW and F trips myself. BA putting CE on domestics around 3 years ago now has helped my points balance. I have to say that because I travel most weeks I'm not absolutely wedded to BA and tend to choose convenient connections over points- have done a few trips in EK in both business and first from GLA particularly to the Middle and Far East and will also fly LH or KLM to Europe if connections are good . Last few years earned about 3000 TP per year so with a bit of luck should make GFL in next 18. months or so. For me best benefit of gold is being able to choose row 1 on CE as I don't like the seat in front being reclined into me, and no when sitting in row 1 I don'r recline my seat.