What Specific Steps Do I Need To Go Through To Get My Refunds For Extra Expenses

MY two children (Ichite, Precious and Tony) and I (Ichite, Nkechinyere) missed our international flight to Portharcourt Nigeria via Frankfort Germany on 12/12/2010. Problem originated due to 3-hour delay of connecting flight 312 from Tampa Florida to Washington Dallas. In Washington Dallas, we were issued tickets for Air France going to Portharcourt Nigeria on the 14th of Dec. by an agent named Ms Adeline Jackson. During the 2-day delay, we paid for hotel and feeding. At the check-in counter on 12/12/10, one of the United Airline agents (Ms Loulu Toress) discovered that the issued Air France tickets were not confirmed. She strongly advised us not to board that flight, but instead changed the ticket once again to United Airline flight flying to Lagos Nigeria via Accra Ghana. That was a brand new route for United at the time. As informed by Ms Toress, United Airlines has no agreement with any of the local carriers in Nigeria. She strongly advised us to take that option any way and file claims for our expenses ( hotel, feeding, and tickets) when we returned back to the US since the travel volume left us with little or no options. Therefore, on arrival at Lagos Nigeria on 12/15/2010, we had to incur expenses on transportation from the airport to a destination where we spent two nights. After spending much time shopping for local tickets, we ended up purchasing three tickets for Lagos to Owerri flight and also paid for the cost of shipping 9 suitcases (all receipts available). Note: Owerri airport is about two hours away from Portharcourt airport and the fares to either airport were identical. In summary, how can I get the refunds for my additional expenses including 1. Cost of spending 2 nights at the Hilton in Washington Dallas at discounted rates (coupons issued by United airline agent). 2. Cost of feeding while in Washington Dallas (some receipts available) 3, Cost of 3 local flight tickets (Arik airline) and luggage shipping expenses from Lagos to Portharcourt (receipts available). 4. Cost of transportation from and to the airport while in Lagos. Note: I am not asking United Airline to refund the cost of accomodation and feeding while in Lagos, because we were not in a hotel and no receipts are available for those. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.