Originally Posted by
House
BA Gold does deliver some perks - using F check-in and the F lounge for a start. You can even use the lounge when not flying on BA or a Oneworld airline - one of the very few airlines who offer this. And you can choose from the best seats on board at the time of booking (I know some airlines offer this to everyone, but BA doesn't - this is a clear extra privilege for Gold).
Seat assignment on BA could be done by holding a OW Sapphire or above status.