Just go back to the airport if you can and talk to a ticket agent - they hand out vouchers like candy if you find a nice agent and provide a legitimate excuse, and yours would certainly seem to qualify. A $25 baggage voucher or AirCheckPlus would pretty much equal the refund you seek, assuming of course you want to fly on US again.

The $99 Companion Certificates are a very good deal, but a very big hassle - I redeemed them once and now just give them to friends and family - I don't want to waste my time jumping through the hoops.

Good luck!

Sean