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Old 09-05-2018, 10:00 PM   #21
GreenLantern
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Wow that's impressive. Did you just slide it across the counter and say why we're here to check in. Or tuck it in their g string with your teeth?
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Old 09-05-2018, 10:23 PM   #22
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Did you find when you book that deals are coming and going all the time? Is it better to lock it in as far in advance as you can? Or thematically roll the dice to see what last minute deals may pop up? Like right now the flights home from Saskatoon really suck, nothing is direct and won't ever be, but 15 hour travel days are brutal for a 4 day trip.
I've read sites that said something about 2-3 months or so out is a pretty good time to find solid deals, but I guess it depends on how many people you're travelling with.......if you're going solo or with just one other person it's a lot easier to hold out a long time. This time going to Vegas we're going with a large group so we couldn't really wait until the last minute as we all are going on the same day and staying at the same hotel.

I can say this time booking with Expedia that about 4 months ago there were some good prices and I held off hoping for better prices. I was checking pretty much daily and one day the prices jumped up quite a bit and I was ticked off I didn't book earlier. A few days or week later they came down again and we decided to book it. Soon after the prices jumped up again and never really came down at all again, so I was happy with our price. But that's just my experience this time around, I'm sure there are others who have found differently.
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Old 09-05-2018, 10:25 PM   #23
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Wow that's impressive. Did you just slide it across the counter and say why we're here to check in. Or tuck it in their g string with your teeth?
You can try tucking it in, but it might be awkward when they have to show the tip to the camera (Phrasing)

It is a "sandwich trick" when you give them your credit card and license. It is basically tipping them before they give you any upgrades. Google is your friend to see success rate at different properties, but it is a Vegas wide thing. You can book a basic room, and try the method, but obviously depends on how busy the hotel is for quality of upgrade.

From what I understand, it is at the discretion of the receptionists/check-in folks as to who they upgrade. They obviously would rather do it for those who tip them.
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Old 09-05-2018, 11:45 PM   #24
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Just wryly smile and say, "I have this upgrade voucher".

I agree with the folks suggesting booking directly with the hotel. Sign up for whatever they want you to sign up for and go through that. It's the cheapest way to book and also the only way to take advantage of the comps and perks the hotel is offering. People who book through expedia usually don't get jack. This is especially true if you gamble a lot and are using your player's club card.

As others have mentioned, expedia and the like are great services to help you decide where you want to stay. But almost always book direct. There are exceptions and sometimes you just need the convenience of an expedia.
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:44 AM   #25
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I usually book my airline ticket with the airline and call the hotel and speak with the guest services rep and see what kind of deals they can give us. I've been going to the Mirage for 10 years and have had the same rep help me every time and get some good rates. Usually $60/night during the week and $120 a night on the weekend.

If you play myvegas slots you can get room deals from there as well.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:00 AM   #26
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Flamingo is inexpensive and right in the middle of things - upgrade when you arrive, and you will have a great view of the fountains across the strip.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:04 AM   #27
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You also get lung cancer the second you walk into the Flamingo (same for Paris). Smokiest casino/hotel on the Strip by far.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:16 AM   #28
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^^^
This is also true.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:25 AM   #29
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Weird, they still let people smoke inside? Gross.

I don't want to go anymore.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:48 AM   #30
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It's Vegas, you can expect stoggies and cancer sticks burning most hours of the day in the casinos. There are definitely non-smoking rooms though.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:51 AM   #31
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People who book through expedia usually don't get jack.
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As others have mentioned, expedia and the like are great services to help you decide where you want to stay. But almost always book direct. There are exceptions and sometimes you just need the convenience of an expedia.
Hotels have a very good reason for being far less willing to work with anyone who books through a online travel agency (OTA) such as Expedia (and their many other companies) or Booking. The OTAs take ~18% of the booking as commission (Varies based on hotel's specific contract and where they want to end up on the recommended rankings). They also act as another layer of administration which make it harder to resolve any issues a customer may have. My Wife an I run a Bed and Breakfast in Calgary and we have a list of complaints about OTAs, but they are something that we have to put up with in the modern travel world.

Due to the above, a hotel will make more money offering you a cheaper rate, or more inclusions by booking direct due to the lack of commission to the OTAs. They just have to be careful in what they advertise as the OTAs force signing a clause that ensures that they are offered the lowest advertised price when you sign up to work with them. This is also why hotels have way more flexibility at the desk or over the phone or through specific direct offers than publicly online.

TLDR: book direct with a hotel and they may work with you for discounts and upgrades. Book through expedia or other OTAs and they won't unless you yell at a manager.
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Old 09-06-2018, 10:52 AM   #32
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I'm staying at Mandalay Bay in October. Booked directly with my loyalty card. Not a big gambler but still get regular room offers all the time. Was able to get a King Room for $80/nt over a weekend!!
My suggestion is check regularly online and make sure you sign up for a loyalty card and use it a few times once you're there.
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Old 09-06-2018, 11:13 AM   #33
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Thanks for all the replys, very helpful. I'm going to spend time tomorrow looking st the hotels directly.

Did you find when you book that deals are coming and going all the time? Is it better to lock it in as far in advance as you can? Or thematically roll the dice to see what last minute deals may pop up? Like right now the flights home from Saskatoon really suck, nothing is direct and won't ever be, but 15 hour travel days are brutal for a 4 day trip.
Book. Check prices weekly. Cancel original booking and re-book.

When I went last November I booked the trip in March. I cancelled and re-booked four or five times.

The price was okay when I looked at the end of February. On March 1 the price sky-rocketed for the first night (and went up for the others nights too but not by as much). Then a couple of weeks later the price came down (not as low as it was in February) so I booked it immediately. Then I kept checking and each time the price came down I would book the new price and then cancel the older booking. In the end I had a price that was cheaper than what I had originally saw in February AND I booked a "suite". I stayed at NYNY and we had the Spa Suite room which I booked for under $100/night (don't remember specific cost).

Also, sign up for MGM Resorts MLife account. You'll get cheaper prices through them if you stay at MGM. Or, if you stay at a Caesar's resort, then sign up for their Total Rewards... Grazie for Venetian/Palazzo and Identity for Cosmo. These are all the rewards programs. You use these cards when you gamble, eat at restaurants, etc. If you spend and gamble enough you'll get comps and discounts. Just by being a part of those programs you'll get a better room rate.
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Old 09-06-2018, 11:16 AM   #34
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It's Vegas, you can expect stoggies and cancer sticks burning most hours of the day in the casinos. There are definitely non-smoking rooms though.
All of MGM Resorts are smoke free in all of the guest rooms. There is still smoking in the casinos though.

Ceasar's resorts still have smoking and non-smoking rooms.

All the restaurants are smoke free though.
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Old 09-06-2018, 11:17 AM   #35
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I'm staying at Mandalay Bay in October. Booked directly with my loyalty card. Not a big gambler but still get regular room offers all the time. Was able to get a King Room for $80/nt over a weekend!!
My suggestion is check regularly online and make sure you sign up for a loyalty card and use it a few times once you're there.

That is a sweet deal! Too bad it wasn't a suite deal!
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Old 09-06-2018, 11:30 AM   #36
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The $20 sandwich has a higher chance of happening if you book direct with the hotel. They can see how you made your reservation. I tried once at NYNY and they said they couldn't make changes to my room and I would have to contact the company I booked through if I wanted an upgrade.

I tried again at NYNY when I booked direct and it worked. It has also worked for me at Mirage. NYNY I went from 7th floor to 26th floor with a strip view. At that time the strip view was $15/night extra and I was there for 6 nights. At Mirage I went from 4th floor to 24th with a Volcano view. Also, saved $20/night.

My friend got Fountain View room at Bellagio using $20 trick. That was a massive savings!
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Old 09-18-2018, 01:19 PM   #37
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I'm planning a trip to Vegas to see the Flames on Black Friday. Did anyone go last year have any advice on tickets or anything else? Anyone else going??
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