Ongoing Las Vegas 'pro-tips' thread - Advice on all things Vegas

[Northendzone]

We booked via expedia, and I hope I did not get hosed.....I had hoped to use one of the travel agents on the board here, but we booked, before I saw my pm's.....

We are getting to Vegas at around noon on the 17th, and we are leaving at 8ish or so on the 21st and staying at the monte carlo.....$2,400 for the two of us.....seemed to be the going price on two other travel sites.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

We booked via expedia, and I hope I did not get hosed.....I had hoped to use one of the travel agents on the board here, but we booked, before I saw my pm's.....

We are getting to Vegas at around noon on the 17th, and we are leaving at 8ish or so on the 21st and staying at the monte carlo.....$2,400 for the two of us.....seemed to be the going price on two other travel sites.

I have always found the best luck in bookit.com for Vegas.
$2,400 sounds extremely high unless you booked some super fancy room.
I booked flight and hotel for 2 on Memorial Day long weekend this year, (2nd busiest weekend in Vegas) at the MGM in a slightly upgraded room for $1600ish.
I could never imagine going over the $1000 per person mark on flight and hotel. Every penny counts as they fall from your pockets once you are there!

[Northendzone]

Realtor - checked bookit and the starting price there was$1,000 and that involved a 7 hr flight there.....we paid for a slight room upgrade, and direct flights, coupled with the long weekend.......

[iggy_oi]

2400$ is expensive, Monte Carlo is a decent hotel but I would expect to be staying at ceasers palace or the bellagio at those prices, even at those hotels I'd expect it to be cheaper. Did the site you used have price drop protection?

[photon]

Busy days can be brutally expensive in Vegas, last time I went we shifted our days because something was going on and almost every hotel I looked at rates for the days we wanted were like: $150, $150, $450, $500, $500, $130

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Realtor - checked bookit and the starting price there was$1,000 and that involved a 7 hr flight there.....we paid for a slight room upgrade, and direct flights, coupled with the long weekend.......

If you are checking in close to the allowed check in time, I always find it cheaper to upgrade by asking the person at the desk. The $20 trick works pretty good for a similar room but better view or small things. If you want a higher end room, just ask as you are checking in and give them some special reason as to why you are there. I have never been given any grief and always been accommodated.
If you plan on gambling a bit, get the players card for your casino and on check out they will typically waive the upgrade fee and resort fee.

[KTown]

Vegas is like heaven on earth. I go a couple times a year. I use to go a lot more. I've done Vegas everyway possible, but these days they are more tame.

If you are a single woman....then you can bring $100 with you and come home with $95.....You get the picture! So not fair!

If you are a single guy well clubbing is a must and even better with bottle service if there is a group of you. You don't have to wait in line this way. The top 3 clubs in my book are XS, Marquee and Hakkasan. Depending on the night and table you get. Your night will cost as a group anywhere from $1500 - $4000. If you are going there during pool party season (which has now begun). By the way these are a must!!! The best ones I found are wet republic and rehab. There is also night time pool parties at places like the Wynn. Nighttime pool parties begin after May. Just like clubbing the only way to do these pool parties right is to ensure you get a Cabana (bottle service) and make sure you get a good one, like near the pool. Once you go to Vegas a few times hook yourself up with a good promoter these guys will take care of you for a handshake and makes life easier and ensures you get better tables, etc.

As an added bonus if you like to gamble you can get your room comped. To do this only gamble at the hotel you stay at. Do not gamble at other hotels. As soon as you get to the hotel, get a players card and every time you gamble use the card. Every time you eat at the hotel, charge it to your room. I will explain this below. The hotel will log your bets and the time you gamble. If you like blackjack bet big first hand when the pit boss is there. They come by and check every 10 minutes or so, so keep your bets bigger when they are around. Take advantage of the free drinks and free smokes (if you smoke). Make sure you get premium drinks like grey goose, etc. When you are checking out go see the casino host and see if they will comp you. For example at the higher end hotels they like to see you average $100 a bet for four hours a day. If you do this your room will be free and your meals will be free. Sure you could have lost a few G's doing this but you could have also won a few G's and gotten to stay there for free. If you average a lower bet with less time they might comp one night or give you your meals for free.

If you are going with your gf or wife or significant other. This is me now. Then obviously the party life isn't the same, but Vegas is still just as fun. Clubbing is o.k. to go dance but you might as well pick some of the not so busy ones so you can enjoy your significant other. Besides I don't think most of you want your gf's/wives being eye banged by every guy in the club. From my experience the shows to see are le reve at the wynn or any of the cirque d'solei shows. Hanging by the pool is always fun too with the significant other. I just wouldn't pick the crazy pool party locations if you want some quality time together.

In conclusion Vegas is the adults Disneyland enjoy it! This is just a few suggestions and there are other ways to have fun in Vegas too!

[Northendzone]

^ I must be getting really old! because to me shopping and seeing shows seem much cheaper than some of the clubbing you are proposing.

What would be some good clubs to take the wife to, she'd likely want to go dancing.....

[GoJetsGo]

I always book 2 separate one-way flights (always direct, both ways) and usually pay about $350 to $400 for air. I book a penthouse suite at the MGM Signature through Airbnb or VRBO for about $150-200 per night. 1000 sqft, 1 bedroom with full kitchen and 2 bath. That rate is usually better than the much smaller rooms at the major strip hotels, and it includes valet parking and gives the option to cook some nights if I want. Huge bang for your buck and very high class accommodation.

I cringe when I listen to people tell me they've bought tickets to Vegas and are flying through Phoenix or California and spending 8 hours getting there or back having paid way too much. Vegas is one of the few vacation spots that's really easy to do for very cheap (and still keep it high end) if you know what you're doing.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ I must be getting really old! because to me shopping and seeing shows seem much cheaper than some of the clubbing you are proposing.

What would be some good clubs to take the wife to, she'd likely want to go dancing.....

I don't do the club thing in Vegas. Hasn't been my scene since I was 20. I'm happy by saving tonnes of money by not going to clubs.

I also don't gamble as much as he indicates. I'll plan for $100 per day. If I lose it quickly then I can find other things to do. Lots to do. You don't have to hit the clubs or gamble to enjoy Vegas.

[king_amonte]

Cheapest way I have found and granted I am in Lethbridge but easily has to be Great Falls on Allegient Air! Not uncommon to find flights direct for between 50-80 a way! Last trip I booked my room separate and used www.smartervegas.com, just sign up for free and you get access to some hotel promos and can book cheap rooms! Mon-Fri is the cheaper option as said previously, my last trip total for flights and hotel was $420, not to shabby if you ask me!

[photon]

Wow that's almost worth driving down from Calgary for.

[InBurkeWeTrust]

Originally Posted by photon

Wow that's almost worth driving down from Calgary for.

From calgary it pretty much only saves you $50 once you add in all the fees.

Not worth driving the drive back on the way home.. 3 hrs after vegas =

[photon]

Ohhh I was thinking $50-$80 total, not before taxes and fees. Which doesn't make much sense I guess lol.

[Northendzone]

according to the web - it is 529 kms from calgary to great falls - you could do the drive in 3 hrs if you average 176 kph, and there is no weatehr and no line up at the border......

[photon]

Even taxes aren't that much, $25 or so per leg. I see a return flight in May for $123 including taxes. Can you do it from Calgary for less than $400? Driving isn't fun, but if, say , you were already doing a vacation in Montana this could be an add-on.

[king_amonte]

If your dates are set always keep an eye on the allegiant site to as the price literally can change everyday, if your dates are open just browse and pick a cheap flight, cheapest i've seen is 54.99 I believe

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by photon

Even taxes aren't that much, $25 or so per leg. I see a return flight in May for $123 including taxes. Can you do it from Calgary for less than $400? Driving isn't fun, but if, say , you were already doing a vacation in Montana this could be an add-on.

Not only that you can do a shopping trip and load up your car with electronics in Montana. Vegas has cheap clothes you can put in your luggage, then buy a few TV's in Montana and bang, trip paid for.

[InBurkeWeTrust]

Originally Posted by photon

Even taxes aren't that much, $25 or so per leg. I see a return flight in May for $123 including taxes. Can you do it from Calgary for less than $400? Driving isn't fun, but if, say , you were already doing a vacation in Montana this could be an add-on.

There are extra fees:

Bags, seats, parking

I am going to vegas for $345 direct. You might save$50-100 max once you add in gas, bags, seats, parking and additional KM's on your vehicle.

If I was in lethbridge it would be a different story though.

[KTown]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ I must be getting really old! because to me shopping and seeing shows seem much cheaper than some of the clubbing you are proposing.

What would be some good clubs to take the wife to, she'd likely want to go dancing.....

A nice club that isn't usually as crazy as some of the top clubs that the wife might like is Tryst. It's at Encore/Wynn. See if you can call ahead and get on the guest list.