So UA Customer care got back to me from my executive email blast...

In short, they compensated me 14,000 miles and refunded my change fees. I am still unhappy that I ended up paying 86,000 miles for two domestic round trip flights. I would have kept my original BHM flight and booked those flights else where if I had only been given that option. UA is sticking to their story that I am responsible to pay the difference when their system makes a mistake. 14,000 miles is also definitely very poor compensation for cancelling flight reservations without notice. I'll never pay for another United flight again, I will avoid them for my regular business travel as well. Nice job United! Your mistake lost you another loyal customer.