I have to agree with the OP. The point is that it is easier to get BA Gold (for a Euro-cheat) than it is on most any other airlines program. I began this year with UA 1K and AF/KL Platinum. UA 1K is 100,000 EQM's which is a fair amount. AF/KL is 70,000 flown miles (for all but French residents). Also not too easy. Whereas I decided this summer to add BA Gold to the collection. I took a few CE flights and I think one J round-trip to NBO and easily made Silver. Then I added a a few more CE flights and a C-RTW and voila! I was BA Gold.

I had thought it would be difficult to maintain top level in all 3 alliances, but BA (and a few RTW's) has made it easy for me.