I'm reading that as credit is issued within ticket validity subject to a change fee unless theres a no show? Perhaps we're talking at cross purposes? Or are you just giving an example of where changes are permitted?

In any case, although there seems to be reluctance to accept it, better advice is to talk to BA before cancelling online. Advice to "suck it up and hope your travel insurance covers it, because rules is rules" is IMO poor advice. The outcome may very well be the same, but as Anonba - the authoritative voice on BA policy - suggests, there is some room for discretion depending on circumstances.