You could ask the CO staff at check-in area for a "distressed passenger certificate".
I have gotten these in the past simply by asking. Its a simple photocopied sheet for area hotels offering lower rates for passengers who get stuck. This happens when the passenger can't fly due to no fault of the airline (I.E. drunk-denied boarding/weather/ATC problems).

It's not gonna be a free hotel stay but it should be in essence the same cost as airline people pay. I got the 4 points Sheraton once for $45 bucks.

Worth a try.