So i contacted the Samsung Recall Center, Emirates, Samsung Zambia and Dubai Duty Free. I have received different answers from everyone and no one really knows whats going on.

Samsung Recall told me that I just need the receipt to go back to dubai and get a refund without the device, since I cannot fly with it. DDF said they need to verify this. Samsung Zambia said they would only exchange for an S7, and wouldnt refund it. (If i wanted an S7, i would have bought an S7). They couldnt confirm if i could get a refund in dubai with the replacement phone. Emirates told me its a total ban worldwide. When i asked if I took it apart and removed the internal battery would that still be an issue, and she said i could try but couldnt verify that it wouldnt get taken at the airport.

This is a mess. In the states the phones are taken away and they get a receipt to get the refund back from Samsung. In a third world country things are very different.

Australian airports are reporting delays of 45 mins just for security as they check all phones of all pax...

I reckon just the receipt is your best bet, after all DDF must be aware, especially by the time you get there, that you have no way of getting the phone to them.

:eek: Seriously?

If I was in the OP’s shoes I think that I would feel pretty miffed right now. There is no way that I would risk taking the item onto the aircraft during my return flight. The term ‘shafted’ comes to mind.

What I’m about to suggest may sound crazy, but heck, what have you got to lose.

When you depart take the phone with you and get to the airport early. Report to the EK check in desk and when asked are you carrying any hazardous items in your luggage (no doubt they will specifically mention the Note 7), calmly declare that you have a Note 7 in your pocket. The instant reaction from the EK check in staff will no doubt be that you can’t take it on the aircraft and they will insist that you hand it over. OK, no problem. You then calmly ask for a receipt for it. Maybe plead that it's a company phone and you will need to prove to your employer that it has been confiscated by the airline.

I’m sure that there will be a bit of procrastination on the part of the EK staffs at the airport but they should be able to give you a receipt confirming that it was confiscated at check in prior to your departure on flight EKxxx date/time.

Then when you get to DDF you’re are able to produce the original purchase receipt plus an EK receipt confirming that it was ‘confiscated’ from you at the airport of departure. Hopefully you should then have a 'water tight' case for a refund.

Great idea, in principle. However I suspect EK would simply not permit the pax to check-in until they are able to declare that they no longer hold any hazardous items. EK won't confiscate the phone but leave the pax to figure out how to dispose of it.

Could the OP courier it to DDF if there is a reliable contact there. I know that royal mail in the UK etc have a ban on it now, however wouldn't there be some courier company willing to ship it to DDF.

This was MEL yesterday

https://s21.postimg.cc/jvd09166f/airport.jpg

I'm currently trying to process the exchange for the S7 so I can fly with something. I will get a receipt from Samsung Zambia that I had to forfeit the device so i could fly and then fight with DDF to give me a refund.

Zambia, along with most African countries are third world nations, so they don't have the same services as the rest of the world. The capital city is pretty much the only place that has decent amenities. Also Samsung here isnt processing the refunds like the rest of the world and I don't know why. I have to travel here a lot so I don't want to be flagged for trying to sneak my device on a plane.

The problem is that everyone is saying something different, and I wont be the only one on business, or vacation that has one of these devices and is pretty much screwed trying to figure out a way to get a swap or receipt that the device had to be left. Ive had this for two months with no issue. I'm sure draining the battery would have no issue with flying. I believe this will be the first of many cases of new fast charging batteries exploding and the note 7 is only the start of banned devices on planes.

I'll definitely buy the Note 8. I'm 110% sure it will be the safest device on the planet.

I wish you every luck with your negotiations at DDF and hope you get the refund that you deserve. Let us know how you get on.

Update: Samsung has decided to expand refund worldwide probably inlight of the air travel ban. Samsung Zambia can now give me a refund in Zambia, and DDF will refund my accessories when I arrive. So that's a positive outcome.

Cant wait for the next Samsung Note! I am betting itll be the safest product on the market haha