[jimworcs]

You are entitled to receive the service you paid for. You should try to establish what the cost of a economy class ticket was on the date you booked your ticket. However, this information is unlikely to be available to you. As an alternative, I would look at a return ticket from Portland to Chicago in both business and economy and compare the costs, as the same times you travelled. If you bought the ticket from Lufthansa, write to them and demand half the difference between the two ticket prices. Copy this to United. If they refuse, file a claim in small claims court. The airline cannot refuse to provide the service you paid for and then force you to accept vouchers as "compensation". You are entitled to a refund. You can also file your complaint with the DOT on the quick links above AND consider filing a complaint with the State Attorney Generals office.

United will not defend themselves in Small Claims. Just file the claim. Just before the court hearing, United's lawyers will contact you and make an offer to settle. You should refuse this offer. They will come back with a second offer. Unless this offer is satisfactory and includes actual cash compensation, you should decline this too. You will win in court. Airlines are not exempt from normal contract law. You contracted them to provide a service they failed to provide. It is straightforward and you will win.

By the way.. you are a United employee? United is now stiffing it's own employees? Unbelieveable, but I would still sue the buggers.