i find the reluctance to check bags quite amusing... especially given how far in and out of dubai terminal you are going to have to walk. guess my risk/tolerance limits are different.

for example i once flew into dubai, had a long ish late night transit stop, on way to CAI from HKG, so checked bag through (CX->SQ) and checked into sheraton hotel with just my laptop bag, and yes bag did make it to cairo.

there is a website for dubai international airport.. a quick google will bring it up, and should show if left luggage is available.

due to security check and bag scan before check-in, i don't think you can check in and then exit the terminal.

oh and btw, am actually flying into dubai in about 9 hrs myself, so if there is no longer a fast track non EK line, i'll go back and edit my post above.

on the visa fee, maybe someone is confused with Bahrain.. which once cost me way too much cash in fees for a short overnight stopover.