In my experience, the contractor gate agents (i.e. any airport where there's no dedicated AC station) are horrible at following status-based policy for IRROPS and aircraft swaps. It doesn't make it any less frustrating, but it's not surprising.

Last time I was involuntarily downgraded, they offered the fare difference plus cash (can't remember, maybe $500?), and that was just downgraded from a confirmed eUp in North America (and with several days notice).