Upcharge for seats ?

Booked US to UK and return four weeks ago, traveling in Spring. Received e mail to advise that there had been a change in schedule, but it was ONLY to the short internal flight to major hub, and NOT to international flight. However, the seats I had requested on international flight, and for which I had a confirmation, had been removed from my booking. The SAME seats had gone from no extra charge when I booked, to 'extra charge' after AA changed ONLY the internal flight. Spoke to at least five different AA reps today who ranged from unhelpful to downright rude, all of whom claimed that if I wanted the seats I had previously requested (at no charge)then I would now have to pay $70+, each way,for them. Looking at the present seat map, ALL available aisle/window seats for rows 6 through 27 are extra pay seats, giving passengers little choice but to spend 7 hours wedged into a row of four seats or pay up. Despite the changes being made by AA and not by me, I am informed that I can cancel the flights but with no refund. This is their idea of 'Customer Service'?