Skybus will no longer offer Virgin Australia Velocity points after 31 January, 2020. This is sad news for travellers in Melbourne and Gold Coast that can currently earn 100 Velocity points per one-way Skybus ticket, or 250 points for a round-trip ticket.
Currently, you can earn Velocity points when travelling with Skybus between Melbourne Airport and the city or Southbank Docklands, or with the Gold Coast Airport Shuttle. Velocity points are only earned on adult and family tickets, and only when purchasing tickets on the Skybus website or in person at manned ticket booths. Velocity points are not available when buying a ticket via the Skybus App or e-kiosks, nor on concession tickets.
Previously, it was also possible to earn 1,000 Velocity points with a 10-trip ticket. However, these can now only be purchased via the Skybus App, which does not allow for the earning of Velocity points.
Skybus tickets are valid for 3 months. By purchasing before the end of January, you can still earn Velocity points if you’re planning to use this service between now and April 2020.
Skybus offers bus services to Melbourne, Avalon, Gold Coast, Hobart and Auckland airports. Until 31 January 2020, frequent flyer points are available when buying selected fares to or from Melbourne or Gold Coast airports. The full terms & conditions are available on the Skybus website, where the important information about the end of the Velocity partnership from 31 January 2020 is buried at the bottom of the fine print.
With a one-way ticket from Melbourne Airport to Southern Cross costing $19.75, or $36.50 return, the monopoly Skybus service is notoriously expensive. So the loss of Velocity points is a blow for regular passengers.
Until 29 February 2020, Skybus is offering discounted “Sumer Saver” tickets for $18 one-way or $35 return on its Melbourne Express service. But – surprise, surprise – these prices are only available on the Skybus App where Velocity points are not earned.
Until the Melbourne Airport train is built, Skybus will remain the most convenient public transport option for travel to Melbourne Airport. But there are some cheaper ways to get to Melbourne Airport if you have a little time to spare. For example, you can save a small fortune by catching a train to Broadmeadows station and taking the 901 bus from there to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: SkyBus gone up again
