Ditto.

Ranking CX Gold above non-CX oneworld Emeralds makes sense to me, as (1) some other airlines do the same for their Sapphires (*cough* LHR-based ow airline) and (2) I don't think flyers who got the Emerald status by having a European (non-UK/Ireland) address for their BAEC account should trump a CX Gold in the op-up sweepstakes. I have this view even though at some point, I might be substituting some other ow FFP for MPC.

I must confess, the high priority given to CX staff -- above non-CX Emeralds, non-CX Sapphires and CX Silver -- is a bit puzzling to me. (But I concede I'm not privy to the information that CX management used for their decision.) And I do feel some concern about the repercussions for the unofficial ways in which ow elite status is acknowledged among member airlines.