VA to AUH / XNB Bus Trf

[AnneMarie999]

Hi, am looking at joining friends who will be holidaying in Dubai in March / April (26/03 - 12/04). I am going to fly PE hence will fly VA from BNE - SYD - AUH. The flights I am looking at get into AUH at 2340 (26/03) and currently cost $1,480.37 (PE Saver). If I put BNE - Dubai (XNB; last leg from AUH on bus), there is only PE which is $2,200.37 (no saver but includes bus transfers).

Info on the Etihad website says "Guests travelling on flights operated by other airlines can avail the Etihad Express service for a nominal fee of AED 75/- per person per way". The website also advises how to book the bus. Given this information, it appears that booking the bus separately will save me $$$$. Has anyone had experience with this - is the bus transfer easy to book separately and am I correct in how I am looking at the prices? Also, as a Gold Velocity; assume I have lounge access in AUH.
Thankyou very much.....

 

[notzac]

No experience with the b*s, but you'll have lounge access on the way back from AUH. It's not much of a lounge though..