Recently, I had a J class ticket but couldn't confirm the J seat on one sector (depart @ 0055hr) because the flight was booked solid. Because I have gold status, EK secured me a Y seat on that flight.

Then, I found out EK had an extra flight with available J seats that leaves a couple hours earlier at around 1500hr and arrives DXB at 2000hr. My connecting flight out of DXB was around 1400hr the next day. When I asked if I could get on the earlier flight EK told me "yes" but I'd lose my STPC (hotel + misc)
http://www.emirates.com/english/plan...stopovers.aspx
If I were to get on the earlier extra flight, technically my stopover would only be about 18hrs, still under 24hrs as stipulated in EK's website. Would I lose my STPC because I had that Y seat secured? Does "earliest available flight" ignore the class you're booked in? Am I missing something some info?