Just got back from my trip, just wanted to agree with B747-437B. On a trip to Malaysia, both ways BHX and KL the silver skywards (my girlfriend) were put in with the online check in people in the lines. In both cases there were quite a few people in the lines already and no one in the business class line.

Even though I told them that as a Silver Member she was supposed to be able to check in in business class she was not allowed to. I wasnt happy as I had hoped to use this tactic to get to be first in the line to get extra leg room seats as I am very tall, so its a bit of a none existant benefit.

However it wasnt all bad as we were upgraded to Business Class for the Dubai BHX leg coming back so that made up for missing out on the exit row seats.

You mean to say there was no separate queue for Gold/ Silver? Only First/ Business/ Online check in/ Economy? Were you able to use the Business queue?

The queues at most airports nowadays (I've seen this in Mumbai, Accra and Guangzhou in the last few weeks) are First, Business, Silver/Gold/OLCI and Economy. Gold/Silver are no longer allowed to use the Business queue but are lumped with the OLCI folks.

The wording in the Skywards Gold benefits has also been changed now to a generic "Priority Check-In" from the old "Check in at the Business Class counter".

Actually it still says "check in at the Business Class counter".

http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...ource=Standard

Well, I am not sure how accurate the Skywards page is.

http://www.skywards.com/Member_Benefits.aspx?SkinID=2

The benefits of Skywards Gold
Access to all Emirates and affiliated Business Class lounges across the Emirates network.
Skywards Gold members can take a guest into the lounge when flying Emirates in Business or First Class.

Thought guesting someone is not available at all anymore as Gold.

Perhaps they reinstated the benefits above when they lifted the fuel surcharges and forgot to let anyone know? Haha.