I realize the original question was somewhat tongue in cheek, but if a cup of coffee would cost $1.50 and a frequent flyer mile is worth 2¢, suitable compensation would be 75 FF miles.

On a more serious note, I agree with those who favor not sweating the small stuff. The airlines usually do their best to get us where we want to go at the time they said we'd get there. Broken coffee makers, seat back recline mechanisms and other stuff happen. I don't like it any more than the next person - but it's an airplane, not a five-star hotel. Rolling with the occasional small punches is the way to go. Save the ire for when it counts, as in Pakse's story.