From an AA perspective, I just spoke to a mid-level person on the CK side (not related to this topic but more around an existing booking I have with AA). Speculating - they were saying that these changes will help harmonize the higher tiers across both airlines, with GGL now clearly being seen as a CK-equivalent and Gold equating to EP. At the moment, it’s inconsistent (!)

The changes will take their time working through the system but that’s what they thought was the general direction of travel.

Just one person’s opinion so please take with a pinch of salt, but I thought it was interesting nevertheless how folks across the Atlantic are looking at this.