[zerkten]

>> Typically someone paying $2k for a ticket is likely in business class, and they'd only ever bump someone from economy.

That is not true. There are cases of business and first class being bumped (http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united...).

[kelnos]

The guy didn't get bumped; he got moved to a lower class of service. Same rules don't apply there.

Either way, my other point makes this not really matter; the compensation isn't a "refund" for the seat. It's compensation for the inconvenience, and the airline is still required to get you to your destination in addition.