Refusal to refund ticket and such an inconvenience

I bought a ticket in December and made it an open ticket. I enquired on Monday if I the ticket was still valid and I was informed it was. I was to travel using the ticket next week. However with the current situation at Comair, I can not use it. I called today and was told that I can not get a refund. Now due to BA's problems I now cannot travel and neither can I get a refund to book another airline. I am now being held ransom and inconvenienced

What kind of service is this