Flight cancelled took earlier flight reduces compensation

Redders1970

Hi guys,
so our flight was cancelled the day before our flight, we were offered a downgraded flight with multiple stops, this was declined. They said we could not get an equivalent flight for another four days, this was impossible as we had commitments with livestock.

We spent a few hours checking and found a flight that evening on a different airline but same travel class. BA booked us on it, so we got home 20 hours before our scheduled arrival and lost a days holiday, we were advised to apply for compensation which we have, they agreed to pay but a reduced 50% as we arrived 1+ hour before our scheduled arrival time. Apparently it doesn’t matter that we lost a days holiday, because the rules state it is only delayed flights that get the full refund. Can this be correct, if so the air passenger rights need to be tightened up as having to leave a holiday early to get home because of commitments, surely is equally as distressing as being delayed, at least with being delayed they would have paid for the extra hotel and food costs!