Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 6,244
Sounds to me like trip-in-vain, especially since AA has already admitted fault per the OP. To begin, I would be asking for a full refund of the ticket. OP mentioned that they arranged for their own transportation home using points. If that was using AA miles, I would also ask for a refund of those miles as well.
-FlyerBeek