[jimworcs]

I think if you had a damaged shirt, the airline is unreasonable to offer vouchers which can be used towards a flight with them. You should ask for cash compensation and tell them that you cannot accept vouchers.

I don't think you could argue that the "flight" was substandard as a result of this incident. You got what you paid for, but an event which is outside their control occurred and they attempted to resolve it. I personally don't feel that further compensation is due in the circumstances that you outline. It is possible to the first FA said something like "we will try to get you re-seated" and then subsequently found there were no more seats and this is why your further requests were rebuffed. If this is so, the FA's had no remedy to offer you other than the one's they made. If this is not the case, frankly I would have just moved without waiting for their "permission". Once everyone is seated and the seatbelt signs are off, it is common for passengers to re-seat themselves.

However, if you feel strongly enough and think that you deserve more, you can try contacting the US DOT to see if they can help, but I doubt it. The only other remedy is to file a claim in small claims court, but there you will have to establish first your actual damages and then any consequential losses. You must also establish that they are liable for what happened.. and on this account you may struggle.

Leatherboy... a bursar is the senior administrative person in an educational institute such as a school, college or university. It is a common mistake to confuse bursar and pursar.

[ldl007]

Two hundred dollar shirt! Are you seeking real damage or punitive damages for lack of sleep?
If you were seeking a different seat, why didn't you pursue this? What did you expect from the flight attendants? What more could they have done besides attaching a cup (apparently this was not a major leak)?