04/03/2026
๐โ๏ธ Why Book With a Travel Agent? Let Me Tell You a Real Storyโฆ
Our family holiday started exactly how it should โ full of excitement and precious time together. My husband, stepdaughter and I flew from London Stansted Airport with Emirates (such an easy journey from a local airport!) and stopped in Dubai for a few days before heading on to Sydney to see my stepson.
Dubai was incredible, Sydney was unforgettable, and the memories? Absolutely priceless. Would I do it again? 100% yes. โค๏ธ
But hereโs where the story changesโฆ
At 10pm on Saturday 28th February, we boarded our return flight from Sydney via Dubai. As we sat on the aircraft watching live BBC News coverage of Iranian missile strikes, we began seeing airlines cancelling and diverting flights to the UAE.
We knew in our hearts we werenโt going anywhere.
After hours on board, the flight was officially cancelled. We were offloaded and advised a refund would follow in 7โ14 daysโฆ and that we were on our own. No hotel. No rebooking. Just exhausted passengers left to figure it out.
It was heartbreaking seeing families with children and elderly passengers confused and stranded.
And thatโs when my travel agent brain kicked in (despite technically being on leave ๐).
โ๏ธ Secured accommodation
โ๏ธ Rebooked flights (via Hong Kong a couple of days later with Cathay Pacific - lovely Menu onboard btw)
โ๏ธ Checked visa requirements for transit routes
โ๏ธ Applied for ESTAs just in case we needed to reroute the other way (they look 72 hours to get approved)
โ๏ธ Discovered Hong Kong offers FREE airport layover excursions for transiting passengers!
โ๏ธ Booked an airport lounge for our 9-hour layover (hot showers = game changer ๐)
After a 9-hour flight, 9-hour layover, and 15-hour flight, we landed at Heathrow (not Stansted), took two trains, got back to Stansted after midnight, and finally crawled into bed at 2:30am.
Exhausted? Yes.
Grateful? Absolutely.
And hereโs the moral of the story:
โจ When you book with a travel agent, youโre never alone.
โจ We have direct contacts and industry knowledge.
โจ We know alternative routes and visa rules.
โจ We think about the โin-betweenโ bits that make long journeys manageable.
โจ We handle the claims, the refunds, the stress.
โจ We get you home.
A huge shout-out to my amazing Manager, Kerry for jumping in to check alternative routes when my brain was tired at 4am (and for letting me take today to regroup). ๐
Also, Holiday Extras were fantastic โ that ยฃ1.99 Late Return Cover saved us over ยฃ165 in car park overstay charges. I always recommend adding it!
As for Emirates โ a little water while we were stuck on the tarmac would have gone a long way, and the offloading process was chaotic. The Uber voucher QR code was a thoughtful touch, but many families were left without accommodation. Iโll be chasing that refund. That saidโฆ Iโd still fly with you again.
Travel isnโt always predictable. But support should be.
If recent events have shown us anything, itโs this:
๐ Book with someone who will fight your corner.
๐ Book with someone who understands the system.
๐ Book with someone whoโs been there.
Book with a travel agent.
We donโt just plan holidaysโฆ we bring you home.