Thanks to everyone for their help and guidance. Our corporate travel agent contacted our AA rep who handled the status match for me. Alleviated me doing their Platinum Challenge.

Re flying AA - I guess it will be a learning experience. Some of the blogs I've seen are scaring me a bit - particularly after flying mostly QF who I actually think are relatively good (and I was stuck in Sydney last year for a few days when they were grounded). I think flying a USA airline could be a culture shock.