It never hurts to ask. I would be surprised if they were to change the upgrade threshold for you but EXP might be slightly more doable (though still hard). In asking for EXP, I would put things into dollar terms and wait until you have flown the segments. Once you've flown 100 segments send them a letter saying how you've spent $50K or whatever on tickets and flown 100 segments and that you very much want to stay with AA but that the lack of EXP status for the amount you have flown is a problem which will cause you to go to UA where such loyalty would get you 1K.

Just my thoughts.