Not sure about the situation described where other airlines would have to be involved. But one airline did ante up to me some vouchers when I wrote to complain that it refused to rebook me free on another of its own flights that would have circumvented the same missed connection problem described (without the overnight complication).
The airline actually had a second chance to save face -- put me ahead of the elites for standby order at the connection point. It refused.
Unfortunately I forgot the third alternative I had, presenting my father's elite card which was in my pocket. (He and I have the same first name).
Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm
There is already a rule (240?) that covers what amenities you might get after you get to the connection point and miss the connection.