I understand it is my mistake, but the things that made me irate about this:

1. Thousand of dollars, instead of hundreds.

2. Had availability on the same flight next day (one I thought I was on) even said there were award seats on it.

There are times when one is traveling when things happen. Maybe you get a flat on the way to the airport. Maybe your meeting is unavoidablely late and you miss your flight. I understand there are penalties when the unexpected happens. However, when these things do happen do you want to be on a carrier that's going to try to help you out and get you on your way or one that's going to put a thousand+ dollar road block in your way?

I might add that conversely I understand when I get to the airport if my flight doesn't take off due to weather, mecahnical, computer, crew (all of which has happened to me before) problems. I also don't expet for the airline to pay me thousands of dollars.