[jimworcs]

The problem is that the airlines insist they will only pay for flights on other airlines that they have booked themselves, not reimburse you for flights you have booked independently. The counter clerk lied to you when she said that she could not do this, and this is a very consistent problem throughout the airline industry. Employees who lie to customers to get them away from them the desk. "Your connecting flight will wait" ; "you are confirmed on the connecting flight" ; "when you arrive, you will be given vouchers for a hotel and food" ; "if you write in, you will be reimbursed".... THEY LIE CONSISTENTLY and so FREQUENTLY it can't be an accident. I suspect they are so unsupported by management, and so under-resourced, it is the only thing they can do to cope. Until this industry is re-regulated, this will not change.