clearly this is UA(X)s fault, why didn't they cover the hotel and provide meal vouchers? That should have been a minimum provision, particularly for the last flight of the day. At the very minimum, they should have distributed the hotel distress vouchers so folks can get a lower rate.

I would stop by customer service on the way to the flight to complain that wasn't handled correctly (not that they can do much after the fact, I'd guess)