While touring Egypt, I learned via the British Airways app that my return flight to California (CAI-LHR-SAN) was cancelled. I never received any text nor email, just discovered it by logging into app. I was not rebooked. I called BA and asked for my options. The agent(I believe India) said I could get a refund for the return portion of the flight or accept the next available flight which would be 3 days beyond my scheduled departure. Being stranded for 3 days in Cairo was not an option. At the conclusion of this 2 hour "conversation" in which the agent denied my request to speak to a supervisor, I reluctantly cancelled the flight (was promised a refund which was about 30% of the total round trip cost). I then booked another flight home at a cost of about $300 more than what was offered in the refund.

My questions are: 1. Is my only recourse for making up for the difference in airfare filing with my travel insurance? 2. IS BA a part of the EU rules which suggests I should get additional compensation in addition to the refund (I believe it is 600 euros)? 3. Should I file a claim with BA for additional compensation to make up for the difference in cost to return to California and ask for compensation in general for the inconvenience, aggravation, and cost.?

Thank you in advance for any relevant responses.