Originally Posted by
planecrashlaw
is this in fact the correct response
Of course.
Originally Posted by
planecrashlaw
and should I expect any change in their position if I press further?
No.
Originally Posted by
planecrashlaw
In other words, is “self-help” always going to result in a denied claim?
Pretty much. UA’s responsibility to you is a refund for the cancelled flight. While they may have been willing to move you to the AA flight, space permitting, it sounds like you forced your way on as an AA ExPlat, something that the UA systems weren’t going to be able to do. As a UA 1K, you would have had access to UA sold-out flights (admittedly, at an extremely high price point) if the situation were reversed… and I wouldn’t expect AA to foot the bill for you there either.