Sorry to hear about your trouble. If it's any consilation, I didn't book before point inflation so now I get to pay inflated points and potentially YQ.

Question. Under your name it says: "Hilton Gold (thank u Aeroplan!)". How did Aeroplan get you Hilton Gold? I am Marriott Silver too but am trying to figure out if Marriott is still the best program or if I should switch to Hilton (I have lots of points there too) or Priority Club that I used to collect before or SPG.