On 12/1, my flight had mechanical problems and AA rebooked me on a UA flight. I had two pieces of checked luggage, but didn't have to pay the fees as an EXP. But on UA, I have no status and had to pay the checked luggage fee.

I asked AA for a reimbursement for $50--the cost of checking two bags. AA said that they do not reimburse costs that are charged to another airline. These are costs that I know would not have been incurred had I stayed on the original or any AA flight. Since it was late in the day, there was no other possible AA flight to get me home. AA did give me 3,000 miles as a gesture of goodwill.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Should I press them on getting the $50 back or just settle for the 3,000 miles? Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

By the way, I was very appreciative of the GAs who called me up to the gate counter to rebook my flight. They shortly informed all the others on the flight after they handed me my new BP.