What Delta paid was simply the refund of what they charge for that segment; but there is still compensation due for the inconvenience. Otherwise, I would have chosen to pay 10,000 miles and flown the whole thing in economy. Telling someone at the gate they're downgraded deserves more than just a partial refund.

I definitely appreciate you doing the legwork, and you're probably right there. Just still seems nuts to me they can get away with cheating consumers and not providing any recompense other than the difference in fare. Their should be an apology offering on top of the refund for the inconvenience. Their own website says it will be cash compensation or mileage for downgrading (although the EC regulations are more specific as you point out). https://www.tarom.ro/en/compensation...layed-flights/