This actually happend to me about three weeks ago.
The airline would not put me on another airline's nonstop flight. At the connection city, the flight had left without
me. I was given a hotel voucher at the airport Marriott.
(along with several other passengers from the same flight)
The Marriott clerk told me they only charge the airline
$47 per room. I guess the airline figured it was cheaper
to pay $47 than to pay airline airline to transport me.
(plus the $12 meal voucher)