Originally Posted by Duke787

My guess is that they don't want to end up stranded and (without veering into OMNI territory) may feel that their security specifically it at greater risk as the only US carrier flying into/out of Dubai and then didn't want their plane trapped there in the event of an escalation in hostilities

In terms of re-booking this has turned into the classic UA problem. I no longer have UA status so went to the overseas desk -- they offered me nothing while availability dried up. I even served up RDU - FRA - DXB on all LH metal (but with UA flight numbers available) and they couldn't do it. Unfortunately AC is also canceling their flights so the one-stop options from RDU require being moved over to EK metal and those are basically gone from ORD/IAH/IAD in J.

I asked for a supervisor and they now have me re-booked on RDU - ORD - ZRH - DXB (last one on LX metal) but with an 8 hour layover in Chicago (plenty of time for Polaris Lounge I guess?). We'll see whether they can improve that but at least it is something.