I know I am probably late on this.
When I was looking online for my ticket, I bought it, but followed the trend for several days before and until the day of the flight.
The price changed by maybe $50 on a $1000 ticket. But that was online.....
I am sure with the credit they gave you, you could have booked on April 2nd for the same price, and maybe you still can. Just don't volunteer that you had booked and cancelled before. Make a reservation as if nothing preceded and only when it comes time to pay you tell them: BTW I have a credit.....
Airlines, or any business for that matter these days, are not volunteering how you can save money, that they won't make. (Unethical in my opinion...)
They will just be mute and hope you don't figure this out.
Some people just bite the sour apple and do what was suggested and pay the extra $1000.
I just would NOT DO that
.
I would rather spend a day to find a way to get around that.
Good Luck
.And if you read this and have any success, I sure would like to hear it
.