Often1 - thanks for the additional comments.

I did use the term "ticket" when talking to delta, not PNR. Maybe that helped. Also, there were no local personnel to talk to, so I did all my talking to Delta phone agents. I did make a visit to the airport early on day 2 in attempt to work with someone in person, but I could not find any Delta people or presence, and moved on.

You said that what I did was smart, but then seem to say the opposite - I think you mean that declining the OA was a potential blunder. Is that right?