Significant EK schedule change - options?

[ScubaMel]

We have booked MEL-DXB-CPT for Oct. The original itinerary was
EK407 MEL - DXB 22:15- 05:15 +1
EK770 DXB - CPT 09:10 - 16:50

this was our preference as it was only 1 stop rather than pretty much everything else that was 2 stops (even though QF through SYD would have been faster overall we would need to overnight in SYD as i wouldn’t trust the tight connections in SYD with only one flight to JNB a day)

We received an email Thurs night advising of changes. It looks like EK 770 has been removed from the schedule so our new itinerary is
EK409 MEL - DXB 06:15 - 13:10
EK772 DXB - CPT 03:50+1 - 11:35

We now are leaving 16hrs earlier and have a 14hr stopover in DXB. We would never have booked this itinerary if it was available at the time of booking. I will need to take an extra day off work, not to mention the horrendous time we have to be at MEL airport for check-in and the horrible stopover in DXB. Our travel agent is talking to emirates about it, but i’m wondering what the likelihood of getting refunds would be so we can look at alternative options? Travelling in Economy (booking class L)


thanks

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Not sure if this helps or hinders but I see some EK770 sold by Emirates and South African leaving at 9:10 in October (used Google flights search to do a quick scan)

Not sure if this thread on a similar instance of Emirates changing flights to Dubai (in that situation) might help you (only 57-post history)

EK415 timing change [15 hours earlier]

Both of my calls were with RSA agents. Both very polite and helpful. The first one was great, he didn't dismiss my request. He rather immediately sought out additional information from his support network. I've dealt with some other RSA agents who haven't been as helpful.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[ScubaMel]

Not sure if this helps or hinders but I see some EK770 sold by Emirates and South African leaving at 9:10 in October (used Google flights search to do a quick scan)

Not sure if this thread on a similar instance of Emirates changing flights to Dubai (in that situation) might help you (only 57-post history)

EK415 timing change [15 hours earlier]

Both of my calls were with RSA agents. Both very polite and helpful. The first one was great, he didn't dismiss my request. He rather immediately sought out additional information from his support network. I've dealt with some other RSA agents who haven't been as helpful.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Thanks. EK 770 isn’t showing on the EK website at all 3 days either side of oir dates but it is there on the south african one (and google flights as you pointed out). Does this mean those websites haven’t had the schedule change uploaded(??) or that EK770 is still scheduled but for some reason not on the emirates website? I’m thinking the former is more likely?

 

[AIRwin]

You may qualify for Dubai Connect hotel and meals:

Emirates Dubai Connect | Dubai International | Before You Fly | Emirates Australia

If you have a long connection time in Dubai between flights, find out if you’re eligible for Dubai Connect, and receive free accommodation, meals, and visas.

www.emirates.com

 

[ScubaMel]

I’m not sure if that is offered at the moment? This seems to indicate it isn’t…

Am I entitled to hotel accommodation if I have a long layover due to rebooking?​

Due to the ongoing situation, we currently do not offer this service. Please read our updated information(Opens in the same window) specific to operation services during the corona virus pandemic.

COVID-19 information and disrupted travel | Frequently Asked Questions | Emirates Australia

www.emirates.com

Regardless, our preference is not for those flights for the reasons i mentioned initially.