Hey all! I've been a lurker on FT for a while and wanted to say thanks for all the help you guys here have been!

I have a trip coming up ACC-DXB-BOM-BKK-MLE-ACC on revenue J. There are 2 EK flights leaving MLE, one at 10AM and one at 11PM. Check-out time in the resort is 12.30PM sharp (manager insists on this as they are apparently very full) which would mean that I would be stranded in MLE for a good 10.5 hours if I were to take the 11PM.

However, if I were to take the 10AM flight I would have an 18 hour layover in DXB till my flight to ACC. Would this make me eligible for Dubai Connect despite there being a later flight leaving MLE? My travel agent insists that because of the later flight being offered I am not eligible. Just wanted to hear it from you guys before I believe it.

Thanks a lot in advance!