I can see the appeal of this change to BA and great if it works out for them. Personally, I think this will push me to spread my travel across airlines/ alliances as well. 13 years of being gold, this change means most years I’d have been silver rather than gold. My current behaviour sees me over- prioritising BA and OW. I can cite several examples when booking a last minute ticket, I’ve chosen a one stop AA & BA option for the same price as direct with another airline for the same or similar fare.

Although this year & probably next year too, would have gotten me gold under the new system, BA Gold is categorically not worth £20k to me based on my experience as a gold member for enough time.

If they made gold genuinely more valuable, I may consider it. First wing was a really nice perk, but outside that… if they swapped to cabin upgrades like many US airlines do or anything else particularly high value to me given I fly for work, and have been lucky all my employers to date let me pick how I travel so long as it’s within policy’s & price limits. Most of the great lounges are partner OW lounges not BAs. The new automated disruption handling also doesn’t seem to prioritise golds obviously (although in theory it did). I’ve always had to call up as the was a better option available that i was not auto rebooked onto. Likewise hotel allocation during distribution seems by cabin and status didn’t play a part. As gold, CS picked up quicker but it was hit or miss in the operator if you got good service. I’m minded to try not being loyal to anyone for a bit. I did that with hotels some years ago and haven’t looked back. I’ve found I spend less on hotels after factoring in free nights on points. Maybe it will work with me for airlines too!