Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

ferf1223

October , November

bebebelle wrote: »

Im dreading the tipping when I go in October.I just dont know who to tip and how much:o.

I seems like Im gonna use half my spending money on tips. from what I read.

This is a good guide I think - it seems pretty comprehensive and reasonable though obviously some people will opt not to tip for things others will (maids, pool attendants).

http://www.vegas.com/traveltips/tips/tipping.html

Yes, it's customary to tip more and more often in America than in the UK, but the level of service you get is that much higher because servers etc. know the better the service the better the tip...so they have an incentive to do well...that's why decent people are willing to take jobs making below minimum wage - because they know they can supplement a crap wage with great tips for great service.

Obviously you don't have to tip for anything...but when in Rome and all that.

ratkarth

handing out cucumber slices.....

"who snacks on cucumbers by a swimming pool " i ask out loud, no wait i get it cringe cringe

luci

September

Vegas newsletters and offers here:-

http://www.fabulousvegasvalues.com/newsletters.php

Nothing caught my eye, but I don't have the patience to read them all so if anyone spots a good deal please point it out.

crow99

September

ferf1223 wrote: »

we always tip $1 each to the girl handing out towels...it's in the tipping guides so it's what we do...no idea if most people do or not.

Never tipped for this either!

Goldust

Hi,

Just booked a last minute trip for two of us to Vegas, going next Sunday can't wait! I've got loads of questions so hopefully it's OK if I put them in here. I'll start with the basic ones.

Got a fly-drive deal for £436 each which seemed good for direct flights from Manchester. I don't really want to drive when I get there (only going for a week) and I'm a bit dubious of hire car companies so can I just decline the car when I get there?

Booked the Stratosphere for 7 nights - deluxe king size room for £236 which seems good. Do I need to pre-book the rides there to save money or do I just do it when I get there.

There are loads of other bits I want to do but going to have a nose round the thread and elsewhere first before I bombard with any more questions.

So excited, can't wait!

pebblesmax

October , November

mattarmy wrote: »

Hi,

Just booked a last minute trip for two of us to Vegas, going next Sunday can't wait! I've got loads of questions so hopefully it's OK if I put them in here. I'll start with the basic ones.

Got a fly-drive deal for £436 each which seemed good for direct flights from Manchester. I don't really want to drive when I get there (only going for a week) and I'm a bit dubious of hire car companies so can I just decline the car when I get there?

Booked the Stratosphere for 7 nights - deluxe king size room for £236 which seems good. Do I need to pre-book the rides there to save money or do I just do it when I get there.

There are loads of other bits I want to do but going to have a nose round the thread and elsewhere first before I bombard with any more questions.

So excited, can't wait!

I assume your flight is with Thomas Cook, forgive me if I'm wrong. They provide a "free car" but charge extra for insurance. The insurance is usually more than booking direct with one of the companies recommended on here.

As for the rides, you will probably get a fun book with discount coupons when you check in or join the slot club. This will have discount vouchers for various things at the Stratosphere.

luci

September

If you don't want to use the car then I don't even think you have to "decline" it once you land in Vegas. That would involve a trip to the car rental facility which is off site of the airport.

Once you clear Immigration at McCarran, pick up your luggage and clear Customs you can go straight to the taxi line or shuttle, whichever you prefer.

One thing you must do at least 72 hours before leaving is complete an ESTA

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

That is the official site which is free. Beware of other sites which charge a fee.

You will also complete the Visa Waiver and Customs Declaration on the flight.

Best advice is to read Page 1 of this topic and copy and paste and sinppets of information into a Word document or similar as there's a lot to take in.

wdyw

mattarmy wrote: »

Hi,

Just booked a last minute trip for two of us to Vegas, going next Sunday can't wait! I've got loads of questions so hopefully it's OK if I put them in here. I'll start with the basic ones.

Got a fly-drive deal for £436 each which seemed good for direct flights from Manchester.

This might not make the OP feel any better if the flight is with TC/MyT/airtours, but if you can, everybody should try and avoid booking with them between Friday and Monday as they raise their prices knowing that's when most poeple will book holidays. Next Sunday's flight was £326 in the middle of last week but with only a week to go better safe than sorry!

Goldust

wdyw wrote: »

This might not make the OP feel any better if the flight is with TC/MyT/airtours, but if you can, everybody should try and avoid booking with them between Friday and Monday as they raise their prices knowing that's when most poeple will book holidays. Next Sunday's flight was £326 in the middle of last week but with only a week to go better safe than sorry!

To be honest, I've been watching the flights all week and I never saw a price that low so it must have been and gone very quickly if it was that low. It actually dropped from £456 to £426 overnight on Friday so I'm happy with that - they certainly didn't put the price up from the quotes I was getting and like you say better safe than sorry!

wdyw

mattarmy wrote: »

To be honest, I've been watching the flights all week and I never saw a price that low so it must have been and gone very quickly if it was that low. It actually dropped from £456 to £426 overnight on Friday so I'm happy with that - they certainly didn't put the price up from the quotes I was getting and like you say better safe than sorry!

As long as you are happy with the price thats what matters ...just don't be tempted to look at prices during this week!

Forgot to also say with MyT/TC/Airtours its always worthwhile checking all three websites as quite often prices vary from one to another.