Eightblack, an options voucher is compensation in the form of a free ticket given for voluntary/ involuntary bumping off a flight. Most Golds and Silvers will be unfamiliar with this because the airline targets non-Skywards members before asking premium customers.

Essentially the coupon entitles you to a return ticket in the same cabin on the same route you were meant to fly, valid for one year. The sad part is it must be used on the same route, and can't be changed to a different destination within the zone. The great thing is you still get tier miles, so given the choice I would probably accept one of these.

Though I did once, and I wasn't very wise then, and let myself get pushed around a bit, which I shouldn't have.

To the OP: Original fare rules would apply for stop overs etc. If you're trying to build up status, I'd suggest flying to HKG for a nice meal, but spending most of your time in DXB as you want to. Ok, probably not such an exciting Mileage Run since it's in Y