Oh pleeeeze!

BA has initiated that policy in asia since ???? 1990? In Europe since mid 90's and in North America since God Knows When.

Basically any booking booked without a ticket number will see the booking get axed by a certain date.

The lower booking classes require you a place a 'real' ticket number to prove that you've issued a BA ticket however, as BA's system will scan whatever ticket numbers that begin with 125 on the ticket number. If it's not 'linked' with their tickets your booking will get axed.