If I was in the position where I was earning more than 3500pts per year I'd get those tier points and the GUF2's then bank everything else for that year into QF to gradually earn the lifetime status.

After all you can still get the benefit from the BA Gold and frankly if you are flying to 3500TPs and beyond you aren't likely to be worried about your miles balance. QF avoids the nasty no earning AA miles on transatlantic BA flights melarkee...