Help with a delay situation
I am hoping someone can give me guidance in to how to get in touch with someone at AA who might be able to help me or how to get appropriate compensation for my case.
Was booked to go IND --> DUB through ORD on 5.13. There was a direct flight an hour early IND --> DUB with an alternate airline that I opted not to take as I was not sure I would be out of work on time.
1 hour 35 minutes before the direct flight and two hours and 47 minutes before my original flight, got a text message from AA stating the IND to ORD leg was delayed, such that I might miss my connection to DUB and I should rebook. That text came in as I was just putting the final items in my suitcase, and getting ready to call an uber over to the airport a ~ 20 minute trip for me. I immediately called AA on the phone for a rebook, and they attempted to put me on the direct flight, the acknowledged it would be tight, but told me to come to the airport and they would try to assist. The delay was initially for ATC issues, and then the flight crew timed out waiting for ATC to be ready, so the flight was further delayed due to personale issues.
I finished packing my bag, called an uber while on hold with AA and was en route to the airport within 20 minutes from that initial text message, attempting to get onto the direct flight. I arrived at the airport 1 hour and 4 minutes before the new direct flight, which is tight for an international flight, and I had spoken to airport staff on the phone while riding over, and they said someone one assist me. I waited through a line at the American desk, as instructed, only to be told I should have gone to their partner airline. There was no one at their desk. I called that airline, was told I would have a 40 minute hold time on the phone, so hung up, called the airport customer service, and asked the American ticket counter to page the other airline. I was repeatedly told someone would be at the desk momentarily and to "be patient". At the same time I had my dad and sister calling American and searching alternative flight options. Eventually someone came to the desk for the partner airline after a 31 minute wait and said "sorry gate is now closed we wanted to finish boarding before coming to help you there's only 2 of us" -- THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I NEEDED SOMEONE TO COME QUICKLY. They also lied to me about what time the ticket desk closed and accused me of not telling the truth and told me that they checked the cameras on the way to me, which was simply not true since I had time stamps of the ongoing discussion with my family trying to figure out alternatives.
So back to the American desk I went, and there were at that point no alternative routes to Dublin, or even anywhere in Europe that night, and the IND to ORD flight had been delayed 2 more hours while I was running around the airport. Ultimately I went home, and was rebooked on a new route IND --> JFK --> DUB the next day, arriving 22 hours behind original schedule, and only 5 hours before a vital family event I had helped plan. I was able to go back home to my own house and then start again the next day, but did have to pay for additional ubers. My entire family was at various US airports trying to meet up at DUB and I was delayed by a day due to this concern, everyone else made it the day before, and my dad and sister were assisting me from a different airport.
American Airlines has not been willing to provide any advice or compensation during this time. After a 3rd contact with customer relations and fairly public social media postings, they sent an email saying points had been applied to my account, but not how many, it ended up being 5000 points, about a $60 value. They have not offered any compensation for the hotel I did not use the first night of my trip, the uber trips back and forth to the airport to not fly, or any incidentals on the trip, and it has been impossible to get direct contact with a human being at the customer relations department despite request for a call back.
At this point, what additional steps would people take to get in touch with them, and gain appropriate compensation or at least be able to give feedback
Ive already read the AA website, tried their chat and their complaint form and referenced EU261, which from a conversation I had with an American rep I understand does not legally apply but the spirit of it supposed to be used for compensations. I am looking for practical answers how to get them to do what they claim they are supposed to.