Well I can see where the OP is coming from and if you are silver/gold then probably I would agree. The biggest benefit for GGL is to able to call someone to sort things out especially these days when most of the people just told no you can’t call. The other reason is that I could rearrange for example my Christmas holiday last week from one expensive long haul location to an another one using Avios and saving £5000 each for 3 people because the UK gov just decided to change things. If you are Gold or Silver your options would have been cancel the trip and stay at home. Now I have an option to go somewhere else or still stay at home. I have no idea I would go or not but at least it is my choice.
I know I won’t have this status forever however it does change the perspective of travelling.
if I would need to do 16 J or F trip probably would just use Qatar or other oneworld member airline especially if you are not happy with BA service but would post the tier points and miles to BA Avios so could keep that status.