Thanks everyone. Yeah, I think Air Asia is off the list from now on. (I almost always fly CX and although every carrier is prone to screwing up from time to time, I know I'd at least be able to get someone on the phone eventually to try to fix it....) Also a very good point on the timing of the cancellation before the alternate flight was booked. Big lesson learned.

Unfortunately due to budget constraints the choice is get the wrongly canceled ticket back or just don't go. Other flight options are simply too expensive, especially this close to the travel date. So might as well see what he can do to get them to fix it. Might try twitter and hope that public shaming moves them to fix it.

Anyway thanks again for the feedback. Even if the news isn't great, at least it's good to know there isn't some stone out there he's leaving unturned.