Not sure if this is related. But BA managed to create a brand new BAEC membership number for me.

I logged in with my email and linked to Qatar Airways. Turns out when I transferred my QR Avios it was sent to my new account to which I don’t have access.

So redid it with my original BAEC number and it all works. So whatever you do when you link don’t use your email but your BAEC number.

let’s see if BA will help me or if they push me to QR