I have a question regarding airport lounges. I am new Skywards Gold member, and I understand that I now have access to the Business Class lounge in Dubai and partner lounges worldwide. My question is: do I need to be flying Emirates to use a partner lounge or can I use the lounge whenever I'm at an airport?

I'm flying Aer Lingus out of Dublin Airport (DUB) later this week and want to know if I will be able to access the East Lounge (Emirates' partner lounge in DUB) as a Skywards Gold member when I'm there.

I contacted Emirates about this and the staff did not seem to have an answer to my question. One eventually told me that I need to be flying Emirates, but when I asked her to show me where it says that she couldn't find anything.

Thanks!