In this case, OP almost definitely could have sued In court, and the company couldn’t stop them.
AAA arbitration has a rule that says if your claim can be filed in small claims court (typically 5k or less) then you can force the company into small claims court, and they can’t force you to arbitrate.
AAA arbitration has a rule that says if your claim can be filed in small claims court (typically 5k or less) then you can force the company into small claims court, and they can’t force you to arbitrate.