[Silent Bob]

I'm in agreeance as well, sorta, in that the OP "might" have been given the wrong info, but the tenacity and the amount of compensation for something that is really the responsibility of the passenger, well it's a bit absurd and highly doubtful you'll get anything more than travel vouchers. I'm guessing they took your letter, highlighted your demands and pasted it on a wall for all to point and laugh at.

But in order to make your case rock solid, try this: call up the call center (call a few times) ask about the requirements to leave Buenos Aires, transiting through the U.S. and see if you get the same answer, but also record it. Why i say do this? Because you mentioned telling the media, mind you only a small time news outfit MIGHT carry your story, but it won't go global as such instances of what happened to your girlfriend, isn't anything new and most will probably tell you that "You should have known this before hand" (trust me I've been there... Brazil why dost thou haunt me?). Yea certain airline occurences make headlines, but you need something mindblowing to really catch people's attention. And if you can back up you're story with a recording of a rep stating that you don't need a transit visa (or several reps), then that might help your case big time.