Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

carolann215

samjones39blue wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone can tell me how busy the direct flights get. My husband works for an airline and we can get standby tickets for the Virgin and BA flights going direct, but we’re thinking it might be a bit to risky being on standby. We’re planning to go in May 10 (probably mid May)

I know no one has a crystal ball and there are no guarantees but if anyone who’s been before has any ideas of flight loads that would be very helpful. It’s really hard to justify the cost of a full price ticket when we can possibly fly standby..

Thanks

Hi Sam,
It really depends on how flexible you can be on what day you fly. I went to Vegas in September and one of my friends was on standby. It was before the direct flight started so we flew to LA and then got an internal flight to Vegas. The website where you register for the flight should show you its status and how likely you are to get on, you just need to keep checking. Our flight was looking full so in the end she flew out the day before to be on the safe side and met us there. Coming home she got on the same flight as us.
As theres only 1 flight a day for BA and Virgin theres always a chance the day you go will be the day they're full! You could always book onto the Vegas flight and if its full go to LA and either drive or do an internal flight to Vegas? There's 3 LA flights a day so it could be a good alternative.
Hope that helps
Carol

totallybored

September

gamboller wrote: »

Just purchased from restaurant.com for the first time. MIX in Mandalay.Bay. Generally are these vouchers well received or are you looked upon as a cheapskate. Just see "REMEMBER TO TIP ON FULL VALUE" and "TOP 3 WAYS TO USE CERT: 1. order dessert 2 try appetizers 3 go for grand entree.

I've used one at Mix with no problems. Waiter was fine, didn't bat an eyelid at the voucher.

am05

October , November

Guys,

Posted a few times about booking our trip this year just need some final advice. Looking at going in November........from what I have read would most people recommend to book flights now and book hotel separately nearer the time?

On your experiences what would you think?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Am

ferf1223

April

gracie10 wrote: »

can anyone tell me the best way to phone home to the uk while in Vegas? Didn't know if there was some sort of discount card to use, we are going without our 2 little girls so I know i will want to be phoning home all the time

We found the least amount of faffing was to be had by getting an international calling card from a shop like 7-11/CVS/Walgreens/petrol station and using it in our hotel room. The per-minute charge is quite inexpensive...many hotels will have a flat fee to use the room phone to dial an 800 number for the first 20 minutes, then it goes to a per-minute charge after that (best to check the info book in the room for call charges before going this route though)...so if you can keep it to 20 minutes or less each call it works out pretty decently priced. It would probably be cheaper to use a pay phone but I would personally rather pay an extra $1.25 for 20 minutes for the convenience of calling from the room.

Do not buy the calling cards they sell in the vending machines in the hotels/casinos - they are really expensive per minute relative to the ones you can get at any number of shops on or near the strip. My MIL bought a $5 card at the 7-11 by Ellis Island and it lasted her several calls to her mum with plenty of time left on it at the end of the trip.

ferf1223

April

WestHamDaz wrote: »

does anyone know how frequently casinos change their slot machines? Are the ones we played last year likely to still be there when we return a year on ?

It does really depend - like duchy said many of the casinos have slot finders you can have a look to see what they have on the floor.

But it really depends on whether it's a popular machine. Some come and go in less than 6 months...a few have been around for 9 years+.

It also depends on the casino - some seem to constantly be getting new loads of new ones (Harrah's is one that always seems to have a bunch of new machines)...some get a few new ones but seem to keep mostly the same ones for a lot longer.

Which ones are you looking for?

Dowsy

April

Just checked my emails and a Wynn offer has taking our eye. Its for a minimum stay of 3 nights plus $150 free credit,$99/night Sunday through Thursday,$169/night Friday and Saturday. We are looking to stay Sunday to Wednesday and as an added bonus Also, receive a complimentary upgrade to an Encore Resort Suite King at the time of booking based on availability. The only way you can book is by ringing them. I know I've seen it mentioned before but whats the cheapest way of ringing the hotels in Vegas and what is the procedure for booking? Do they take a credit card over the phone for a nights stay? We are a bit wary of giving out our card details over the phone. Also what would be the going rate for Tax/ resort fee for 3 nights at the Wynn?

WestHamDaz

June

ferf1223 wrote: »

It does really depend - like duchy said many of the casinos have slot finders you can have a look to see what they have on the floor.

But it really depends on whether it's a popular machine. Some come and go in less than 6 months...a few have been around for 9 years+.

It also depends on the casino - some seem to constantly be getting new loads of new ones (Harrah's is one that always seems to have a bunch of new machines)...some get a few new ones but seem to keep mostly the same ones for a lot longer.

Which ones are you looking for?

the ones in particular are at MGM Properties, specifically Luxor and NYNY. The missus played them daily and she always seemed to win on them and she wants to play them again this June. First one is Bank Buster which was in Luxor and NYNY and I think might have also been in the MGM

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=459305&l=db5426ee3c&id=1355365694

The ther one was an annoying irish one that went mental every so often playing an irish jig and giving loads of free spins. This was found towards the front of the Luxor near the bank of slots where you could win a car and also there were a few of these in mandalay bay. I think it was called reels o'dublin or somethign similar

trets77

Dowsy wrote: »

Just checked my emails and a Wynn offer has taking our eye. Its for a minimum stay of 3 nights plus $150 free credit,$99/night Sunday through Thursday,$169/night Friday and Saturday. We are looking to stay Sunday to Wednesday and as an added bonus Also, receive a complimentary upgrade to an Encore Resort Suite King at the time of booking based on availability. The only way you can book is by ringing them. I know I've seen it mentioned before but whats the cheapest way of ringing the hotels in Vegas and what is the procedure for booking?
try the MSE callchecker i like Ratebuster for ease of use , good call reception, and 1p per min

Do they take a credit card over the phone for a nights stay?
We are a bit wary of giving out our card details over the phone.
WHY ?? it is surely safer than Online . The Wynn is not run by gangsters , why don't your source the number from the main site if your worried about a phishing email with a fake number . http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/. i have booked show tickets with the Wynn over the phone , very professional , no problems .

Also what would be the going rate for Tax/ resort fee for 3 nights at the Wynn?

should let you know the price including taxes before taking payment . cannot remember resort fee for Wynn . ask when you phone .

my answers are in Red

trets77

am05 wrote: »

Guys,

Posted a few times about booking our trip this year just need some final advice. Looking at going in November........from what I have read would most people recommend to book flights now and book hotel separately nearer the time?

On your experiences what would you think?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Am

in a word yes .
Book the flights and you are going :beer::beer::beer: and the hard bit is done

for Hotel book a fully refundable deal ( always check the T&C's ) that you can afford now , then cherry pick the deals you like between now and then . easy

ferf1223

April

Dowsy wrote: »

Just checked my emails and a Wynn offer has taking our eye. Its for a minimum stay of 3 nights plus $150 free credit,$99/night Sunday through Thursday,$169/night Friday and Saturday. We are looking to stay Sunday to Wednesday and as an added bonus Also, receive a complimentary upgrade to an Encore Resort Suite King at the time of booking based on availability. The only way you can book is by ringing them. I know I've seen it mentioned before but whats the cheapest way of ringing the hotels in Vegas and what is the procedure for booking? Do they take a credit card over the phone for a nights stay? We are a bit wary of giving out our card details over the phone. Also what would be the going rate for Tax/ resort fee for 3 nights at the Wynn?

We had a similar offer and booked...the upgrade is based on availability at the time of booking so better to book sooner rather than later. They do take a credit card, will tell you the total for the duration of your stay, what amount they will take as a deposit and all that. Tax is based on the room rate. I think it's 12%. There is no resort fee at Wynn or Encore. And we always use the international call checker before we call - usually use Discount Dial - £0.005/minute.

http://www.discountdial.co.uk/index2.php