My DM is on a tour via Dubai and she won’t cancel

[Donotfitin]

My DM is due to fly on Wednesday via Dubai to Thailand. The tour is like £5k and they won’t let her cancel so she’d lose her money (minus airfare as Emirates is giving refunds).

AIBU to think she’s being irresponsible by going?

FDCO are currently advising against all but essential travel to UAE. Most travel insurance policies will therefore be invalid even if you are only changing planes.
Policy is likely to be invalid for the entire trip so first thing I would recommend is to contact her insurance

She’s very aware of the insurance she situation and doesn’t care :/

You don't sound like a lovely daughter, tbh. She will be fine.

It’s actually not that easy! (Been there , done that, got the tshirt)

Travelling without travel insurance is just plain silly.

I understand she really wants to go but if she gets ill or stuck the bill could be huge

Is it, or is it not, a protected package holiday? You said it was booked via an agent abroad, but that doesn’t clarify the situation and it makes a big difference.

I see, so UK bonding like ATOL protection won't apply if they are overseas.
It should be as simple as, if the flight is going ahead they will proceed and if not, they'll arrange an alternative.
Have you checked the flight status on Emirates website to see what they are saying? I know the air space is open and flights are going.
I'd also check the tour companies booking terms and conditions and I would maybe check their local guidance. We have the FCDO but our advice might not match theirs if you see what I mean.

She should speak to her GP or pharmacy and carry extra medication just incase although it's probably too late now. She should have done that anyway just incase of delays etc.

I feel your frustration OP, my mum is of similar age and also very lax when it comes to things like this.

Please do check she has adequate travel insurance.

Parents are such a worry at times.

I don’t think it is if I’m honest. I’ve checked the website and it has zero information about this.

YABU
Just a bit younger than your Mum. We came back from India 16 days ago. We were due to come back via Qatar but we got rerouted via Doha.
These are problems that all travellers are having to deal with. Being over 70 does not alter your ability to cope. Her travel company may reroute her or cancel the holiday. If her travel company cancels she will get a refund.

DS is flying back from Thailand via Dubai later this week. His flight details have been changed once already but it is still going ahead (also Emirates)

Doha is in Qatar….

That’s the bit that would concern me. If for example they are flights through a third party they sometimes don’t look after customers very well if the flights are cancelled. I think all you can do is ask her to leave you details / copies of the holiday, itinerary, insurance, passport etc so you can help if there is a problem.

Perhaps she feels that she might not get a similar opportunity and is really looking forward to the trip?

She's an adult and unless you think she lacks capacity then this really is her decision to make. You might disagree with her choice and that's ok but she seems to know what she wants. Celebrate her independence and adventurous spirit! Good on her!

Isn't it up to her if she is happy to risk it?

There are a lot of flights now going in/out of Dubai airport. There must be a high degree of confidence that they can do so safely or they would not be flying.

OP, she's an adult. Stop being so condescending. You don't even know what the arrangements are - leave her to make her own decisions.

Well I mean she travels like every other month internationally, and she’s due to come and visit us like 2 weeks after she lands from Thailand.

it’s her money not my problem… but at the same time I still need to do things for her because she can’t figure them out herself (like an ETA)

It annoys me so much when people travel without valid insurance. She might be fine however a hospital stay could cost a lot of money and she won’t be covered. It just seems a silly risk to take.

Currently there are a few UK providers who MAY cover transit via Dubai but most won’t which I’m not sure the majority of posters understand.

Would you honestly be happy for your 76 year old parent to travel to Thailand with no insurance.

I can’t help with Thailand, but if she gets stuck in Dubai, you can send her my way. I have room.

I think she's got insurance but isn't seeing if she can cancel using it.

If she's on a group tour, any changes will be taken care of. She won't find herself stuck. Good for her for not taking fright and cancelling!

She will lose her money if she cancels unnecessarily.

if airspace is closed they will divert or
of they cancel she will get her money back.

leave your adult mum to sort herself and make her own decisions

Thank you that’s very kind!

She’s got medical insurance, but she’s aware that at least it won’t cover her in Dubai.

Yes it is. Sorry we were rerouted via Muscat . Oman is still open.