Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

aspinallkate wrote: »

with the exchange rate not being to great at the moment, would we be better off taking money out of a cashpoint while we are over there?

NO - you get a host of charges from the ATM as well as the standard tourist or worse exchange rate. An ATM abroad is never a cheap way of getting money and the exchange rate woudl never effect the value of this service

aspinallkate

The Secret Garden

off to the travel agents for money then.
cheers hun

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

aspinallkate wrote: »

off to the travel agents for money then.
cheers hun

I have found M&S or travlex if you book order online and pick up at airport to be the best deals

davelewis

Stayed in Planet Hollywood in August last year - first time in Vegas - it was amazing - but HOT!!!!! You'll appreciate the air conditioning in the hotel - as soon as you step outside it's like a furnace!!!!

fatboy88

The Lion Habitat

Wait till you go to the grand canyon when its roasting, felt like i was being cooked for the whole day there.

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

sew109 wrote: »

NO - you get a host of charges from the ATM as well as the standard tourist or worse exchange rate. An ATM abroad is never a cheap way of getting money and the exchange rate woudl never effect the value of this service

Have to disagree, at least with the Nationwide Flex account you get the bank rate of interest and no charges on the UK side...yes, you'll probably pay a fee at the ATM itself, but you can find ones in Vegas with pretty low fees.

It's all down to rate fluctuations, but on any given day, I can pretty much guarantee you would get a better rate from an ATM in Vegas using the Flex Account than at a high street travel agent in the UK...they are absolutely dire in terms of rates.

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

ferf1223 wrote: »

Have to disagree, at least with the Nationwide Flex account you get the bank rate of interest and no charges on the UK side...yes, you'll probably pay a fee at the ATM itself, but you can find ones in Vegas with pretty low fees.

It's all down to rate fluctuations, but on any given day, I can pretty much guarantee you would get a better rate from an ATM in Vegas using the Flex Account than at a high street travel agent in the UK...they are absolutely dire in terms of rates.

I stand corrected I tired with my Lloyds card and found that I got a better rate before charges using M&S (though I can usually cahneg money at work at Bank rates which of course it is unfair to compare)

martmonk

nvh wrote: »

First of all, is that 5 nights or 6? (coudln't work out if 23rd was day of departure or last 'night' there)

Also - does that include tax (hopefully not as it's easier to compare like to like without the extra 9% tax UNLESS it's a purchase via. a site that includes the tax (UK one typically like Expedia)) - again, i assume it doesn't include tax as you've quoted the price in $'s

I'm assuming it's 5 days, in which case, you want to use this link instead (also from Travelzoo)

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=mbh&host=promo&code=PTZLIST&kbid=755041&sub=en

Standard 550DR weighs in @ $560 thru that link (or a bit more @ $660 if you want to guarantee a strip view...)

Can't really comment on either as not stayed @ MGM or MB, but in my opinion, if the missus want's MB for the Beach, then go for it! you can do MGM next time if you want but make the most of MB whilst you can, now!

We are also staying @ MB soon - Beach being the main attraction for us as well!

We had same problem with Luxor - everyone (Trip Advisor etc) says stay in a tower room as they're nicer, lighter etc etc but at the end of the day, we wanted to stay in the pyramid as to us, that's what the luxor is about, and I have to say, don't regret it one bit!

Thanks for all ya help here. Your assumptions were correct (5 nights, without tax). Anyway cancelled the booking I had and re-booked through the link above. Worked out $610 (inc Tax versus $740 previously) Think we'll keep checking the nearer we get to the time. At this rate I'll get the total down to $500!

iltisman

The Bellagio Fountains

sew109 wrote: »

NO - you get a host of charges from the ATM as well as the standard tourist or worse exchange rate. An ATM abroad is never a cheap way of getting money and the exchange rate woudl never effect the value of this service

I found the Nationwide flex account gave a brilliant rate at ATMs in the states and in Walmart I found their machines did not charge me a cent.The rate was so good I took out the cash for my next Vegas trip, when I was in Hawaii at Christmas I got $1.51 to the pound

tingtong

ferf1223 wrote: »

Have to disagree, at least with the Nationwide Flex account you get the bank rate of interest and no charges on the UK side...yes, you'll probably pay a fee at the ATM itself, but you can find ones in Vegas with pretty low fees.

It's all down to rate fluctuations, but on any given day, I can pretty much guarantee you would get a better rate from an ATM in Vegas using the Flex Account than at a high street travel agent in the UK...they are absolutely dire in terms of rates.

I agree, Nationwide Debit Card is the best. I found that either CVS or Walgreens seemed to have pretty much the lowest ATM Fees on the strip, $2 I think, . Just make sure you take out $300-$400 each time so the charge in % is minimal. I seemed to get about 4% more for my money than say Travelex.

You will obviously be able to find ATMs with slightly less fees (mainly off strip), but I certainly wasn't going to walk miles to save a dollar or two.