It's not a status with published criteria and you surely knew that. You must have realized some time ago that there would be an issue. What measures did you take to let AA know before this became an issue?
Unlike the FFP with its established criteria, you would have received an individualized review.
As to jumping ship to UA, as you are more than likely aware, there are pluses and minuses to both MP and AA and one can argue about the value of 1K vs. EXP forever. But, somewhere there is some GS who has jumped ship to AA and he balances you out.