I would try to explain to them that when you tried to status match before PMCO's route network didn't end up meeting your needs, but that the revised post-merger route network looks like its a better fit. If you do a lot of traffic to/from SFO that would be believable. That might get them to reconsider the 5 year thing. Especially if status matching is handled by PMUA folks :-P
The rules of status matching (like many rules) can generally be bent for high-enough value customers. If you've done significant amounts of paid J/F in the past I would highlight that for them too. Long-haul coach trips aren't going to get you an exception though.