The AA agent you spoke to on the phone should have called DL to ensure the space on DL was confirmable and not just oversale. I have seen this happen many times and it happened to me once but since then I insist that the agent call the other airline and ensure that the space is actually confirmed.
When an AA agent looks in their system for availability on another airline's flights they are shown what is available to sell. This may not reflect what is actually available since most airlines make more seats available to sell than there are actual seats on the aircraft. Had the agent called DL he or she would have been made aware of this.
If I am re-booked to another airline because of a cancellation I insist that not only the agent call the other airline to confirm the space but insist on a seat assignment. With that information in hand I can go to the other airline with confirmation in hand and having a seat assignment usually trumps any oversale situation.
Sorry you had a bad experience but glad you arrived at your destination.
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