If you're travelling in CW/CE you can all use the Club desks to check in anyway. But if you're in economy and it's a group of you (ie. 5+), we'd generally ask if you could check in at the economy desks, though it does depend how busy it is, etc.

No problem for say a family to use the Club desks if one is a gold or silver, but sometimes people push their luck somewhat! It's not fair on golds or silvers travelling alone to get stuck behind a group of 6+ people, most of whom are non status.
I appreciate it may sound mean, but just think how you'd feel if you were in a rush, travelling alone in CE/CW and had to wait for those not entitled to use the area to finish.

You're allowed one guest in the lounge with you, so I'd take the one who's going to buy you most drinks whilst you're away

You mention 'hotdesk' - I presume by that you mean Hotlines.



Oh and shame on me for forgetting - congrats on the silver status!