Thanks to all..

As with most things, having spoken to a very nice helpful lady in DXB Emirates, the flights are full and overbooking is still normal practise, so its time to cancel the return trip, get a part refund if anything left and go direct the cheapest route.
The only problem I had, was that Dubai is my jump off point for Kabul where I live and work, and I would have kept Silver,,, free drinking and eating in DXB for 5/6hours is a very worthwhile perk for me.. C'est la vie..