AZTIMM, the difference I see here is that your change was due to IIOPS of US and not be a choice of the customer. Like you I have had US change my out-bound to a different city because of IIOPS. Once I flew to ROC rather than SYR since the ROC Xcelled. They change my ticket to leave from ROC for the exact same reason as you, expensive one-way car rental.

So I think he will SOL since it was his choice and not an airline problem.