[jimworcs]

They could easily have offered a credit against future travel, which would have been minimal cost and retained the customer goodwill. The truth is that competition doesn't work, particularly with US based airlines, because their government will not allow them to go bankrupt or be taken over by foreign airlines. As a result of the "Chapter 11" protection, they are able to treat customers how they like and will be bailed out. They do not have to meet their financial or moral obligations and often even get out of pension and pay obligations to their staff. This won't change until they are re-regulated or the market is allowed to work. My advice, anyone travelling to the US should use non-US airlines which are not protected by the government.