Greed might be the word or duh. If you already knew they were going out 0f business, then they knew. I am surprised they offered you anything AND for you to pass up a free ride is, well, duh...in my opinion.

If this were an airline staying in business, I would have countered with a request for a meal voucher too (but accepted the free flight).

Your story and position hedges on some narrow time windows.