Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

duchy

August

I dunno -£4K is less than £300 a day for a two week holiday-Show tickets, meals, excursions, shopping, alcohol -Heck shopping alone could take care of that budget for some posters here

Without knowing what their plans are I couldn't possibly know if it was a little or a lot (and TBH I wouldn't ask )

ferf1223

October , November

CellAuto wrote: »

Hi All.

I'm looking for a bit of advice. Going on my honeymoon to vegas for a week in May 2010. Got flights sorted and booked a room at the mirage, did this through the mirage website so that I can cancel if I want to.

I have noticed that the price of hotels seems to change quite alot. For example the bellagio suites for April 2010 (May 2010 prices not up yet) are roughly the same price every night of the month, but in the coming months, November for example, the suite prices seem to have droppped and vary (e.g. Saturday night cost more than a Monday). Is this common? Is there a chance in say February next year I'll be able to get a better deal somewhere than I could now?

As an aside, any adive on the best way to call the usa while avoiding big bills? (In case I want to cancel a booking) I've seen companies where you dial an 0845 or 0870 number in the UK and then they connect you to the US for the price of an 0845 / 0870 call. Anyone got any experience of such a service?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

I agree with Stew - any good deals available won't start coming out until into the new year. It can't hurt to keep an eye out and if something refundable and looks good to you pops up before the new year you can always book it and cancel Mirage...then keep an eye, and go on from there - really probably depends on how much effort you want to put into it.

On calling the US, I have family in the US and so I call them fairly often - I always go to the international call checker here:

http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/intcallchecker/

And I usually use Discount Dial as they are one of the cheapest without requiring any sort of special software or account with them...has always worked perfectly.

battyboimatt

October , November

Sorry, I wasnt asking dont want to be rude, I was just shocked "Ekkkk" I must just be a cheap skate lol

karie

hello everyone

just thought i'd share my excitement as my boyfriend and i have booked our flights to vegas in mid-september in . have never been before - have never even been to america before - so to say i am excited is a massive understatement!!!!

i have some questions...

we are flying from birmingham via philadelphia with us airways. having looked at the us airways website, it seems the baggage allowance is 23kg checked and 18kg carry-on. this seems a lot for carry-on - can anyone confirm? I guess I am too used to cheap ryanair flights where you have to scrimp with every kilo!! what do people normally do with baggage - i.e. do you bring a suitcase and an empty bag for bringing stuff back in? want to do some shopping!!!

on our first night we are staying in the las vegas hilton as i got a good deal on a one bedroom suite there. i know its not on the strip but thought it would be nice for the first night anyway. i dont understand enough about jet lag to know if we will be too tired when we get there to do anything but sleep!! our flight leaves birmingham at around 9am and gets to vegas at around 6pm U.S. time.

the day we leave, our flight is at 7am. what time will we need to be at the airport by? 5am? not sure because it is an internal flight (via philadephia)...

i havent booked any more accommodation yet but was toying between the luxor and the imperial palace. i am trying to keep it to a budget and IP is very cheap but luxor isnt that much more at all. would luxor be a better choice?

we are hoping to rent a car and go and stay near the grand canyon for a night mid-trip. or maybe do a helicopter ride or something. any tips, website links, suggestions?? should we organise this in advance or to to a tour operator while we're there?

one last thing!! has anyone ever been to a concert at mandalay bay? britney is playing while we are there... my boyfriend is not impressed at all but i dont know how we could possibly not go to see her - britney in vegas, it can't be missed!!!!

sorry for all the questions! thanks in advance! xx

trets77

CellAuto wrote: »

Hi All.

I'm looking for a bit of advice. Going on my honeymoon to vegas for a week in May 2010. Got flights sorted and booked a room at the mirage, did this through the mirage website so that I can cancel if I want to.

I have noticed that the price of hotels seems to change quite alot. For example the bellagio suites for April 2010 (May 2010 prices not up yet) are roughly the same price every night of the month, but in the coming months, November for example, the suite prices seem to have droppped and vary (e.g. Saturday night cost more than a Monday). Is this common? Is there a chance in say February next year I'll be able to get a better deal somewhere than I could now?

As an aside, any adive on the best way to call the usa while avoiding big bills? (In case I want to cancel a booking) I've seen companies where you dial an 0845 or 0870 number in the UK and then they connect you to the US for the price of an 0845 / 0870 call. Anyone got any experience of such a service?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

as already answered .

yes it is normal for prices to vary day to day . ( Fridays and Saturdays will always be more expensive than week days , unless there is a very big event one weekday)

yes there is a good chance you might get a better deal nearer the time . but you need to keep tabs on the offers by using the links in post 1 . check once a week until new year then as often as possible .

we always use https://www.ratebuster.co.uk to call USA . 1p per min and easy and reliable
can be found on the MSE call checker

trets77

karie wrote: »

hello everyone

just thought i'd share my excitement as my boyfriend and i have booked our flights to vegas in mid-september in . have never been before - have never even been to america before - so to say i am excited is a massive understatement!!!!

i have some questions...

we are flying from birmingham via philadelphia with us airways. having looked at the us airways website, it seems the baggage allowance is 23kg checked and 18kg carry-on. this seems a lot for carry-on - can anyone confirm? I guess I am too used to cheap ryanair flights where you have to scrimp with every kilo!! what do people normally do with baggage - i.e. do you bring a suitcase and an empty bag for bringing stuff back in? want to do some shopping!!!

on our first night we are staying in the las vegas hilton as i got a good deal on a one bedroom suite there. i know its not on the strip but thought it would be nice for the first night anyway. i dont understand enough about jet lag to know if we will be too tired when we get there to do anything but sleep!! our flight leaves birmingham at around 9am and gets to vegas at around 6pm U.S. time.

the day we leave, our flight is at 7am. what time will we need to be at the airport by? 5am? not sure because it is an internal flight (via philadephia)...

i havent booked any more accommodation yet but was toying between the luxor and the imperial palace. i am trying to keep it to a budget and IP is very cheap but luxor isnt that much more at all. would luxor be a better choice?

we are hoping to rent a car and go and stay near the grand canyon for a night mid-trip. or maybe do a helicopter ride or something. any tips, website links, suggestions?? should we organise this in advance or to to a tour operator while we're there?

one last thing!! has anyone ever been to a concert at mandalay bay? britney is playing while we are there... my boyfriend is not impressed at all but i dont know how we could possibly not go to see her - britney in vegas, it can't be missed!!!!

sorry for all the questions! thanks in advance! xx

Welcome to the Forum .


i don't know if things have changed with the recession but US Airways used to be 23kg x2 per person for hold baggage . i would not be surprised if you get 18 kg carry on . check with the website to be sure .
if you want to take 2 suitcases on the way out fine ( tip: split clothes evenly between each and have something for everyone in all cases ,in case one goes astray ) . or if you need a new suitcase , and don't need 2 going out , buy one out there . I got my Samsonite case worth £200 for about £45 at a Outlet store , cause it had superficial damage .

Jetlag is always worse coming home than going . most people here advise you get some food then get to bed after 8pm first day . not arriving in Vegas till 6pm i doubt you will be checked into your room before 7pm . Hilton Buffet will probably be best bet .

we always advise you book a fallback deal for all your nights that you can cancel later . that way you will have something come what may .

Luxor over IP . ??? tough call , as i have not stayed at either , but it would be The Luxor everytime for me . but we like a nice room and will sacrifice prime location for a good room at a good price . Luxor location is not a dud by any strech of the imagination , it just if you value mid strip outside your hotel or not .

Carhire companys . check Post 4 . but we have had nothing but good service and good prices with Carhire 3000 . they have a price match policy and helpful UK Call center . nuff said !! . don't bother with car first night , get it after . a few casinos have carhire desks at check in , and you pick the car up from Hotel carpark ( we did this at the Mirage via Carhire 3000 , actual agent was Dollar )

Helicopter ride for the Canyon can wait until you arrive . £ is rallying against the $ last few days ( very good news for you ) if we get above $1.70 in near future then it might well pay you to wait . check links for helicoptor companys in post 3

if you want to see Ms Spears . book ASAP , as this will almost certainly sell out. Mandalay Bay has very good showrooms .

ratkarth

dollar's doing exciting stuff today

karie

hi trets, thanks for your reply.

i am going to book britney tickets and hotel straight away and will then cancel what i need to as i work my way through the deals.
luxor does indeed look nicer than IP, IP location does look fab though, so its hard to say!!

luggage - do you mean 23kg x 2 each, i.e. 46kg in total? thats crazy stuff! will have a look at the website shortly.

will have a good look at that car hire company too. thanks for your tips xx

ratkarth

anyone else see station casino's have filed for bancrupcy...

pebblesmax

October , November

We are booked with US Airways for October and it is indeed 23kg x 2 and 18kg hand luggage. It may be best to double check though. We have had our flights booked for a long time, and things do change.