Bob,
Put down the cocktail and consider the evidence...
The airline only has to provide accommodation and a food voucher if the delay was within their control. If weather was the reason, then why did they provide this? Let's say it was a courtesy... would they also give a food voucher? I don't think so. But there was one other detail you seem to have missed... THE PILOT TOLD THE PASSENGERS THE REASON FOR THE DELAY!! Ooops.. too many cocktails there Bob..perhaps you missed it!
Now, when the delay is within the control of the airline (and lets face it, this was a very significant delay) compensation is due. To describe some cheap motel as compensation is ridiculous. The hotel was provided because Continental had failed to deliver the service the OP had paid for. The only reason he needed a hotel was because Continental didn't take him to his destination. That is NOT compensation.
As this is the site for analogies (most of which are not analogous) let me offer one up.
You go to the barber. He is giving you a short, back and sides. He cuts off the top of your ear. You go to the emergency room and have it stitched back on. The barber pays for the ER bills. That was NOT compensation.. that was simply paying the costs associated with the barbers negligence. The compensation comes in when you claim pain, suffering and the agony of losing your handsome looks Bob... think how big that claim will be.
OP goes to Continental. He pays his money and in return Continental offer to take him from Toronto to BA. Instead, Continental dumps him Houston... I think we can all agree that Houston is a far cry from Buenos Aires. Paying for a flea pit in Houston was a conseqeunce of their failure to deliver the service contracted.... and now he wants compensating.
Seems fair enough to me... I am sure after another whisky Bob...you will see sense and agree with me.
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