Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

trets77

MsBrightside wrote: »

Hi everyone

We're off to Vegas next week to get married and just found this thread! I have a million questions but prob a bit too late!

Has anyone used a cash passport/pre-paid mastercard for their $$$? We have one from Thomas Cook but First Choice told us in no uncertain terms that you CANNOT use them in Las Vegas! I think they're wrong personally! Can anyone confirm?

Also we really wanted to hire a car for a day or two but we don't have a credit card, I'm assuming there's no way we can?

Really worried we won't have enough money to do anything but eat and get about! We think we have about $200 per day. I know there's no point asking how much is enough because everyone is different but hoping we can do more than just that!

$200 a day ... relax , you can eat like a king at the buffets like The Spice Market , for very reasonable prices . Food in Vegas is available at all price points ( super expensive - super cheap).

go for 2 for 1 shows to save money , drink $1 beers in Casino Royale , head over to Ellis Island and get a super cheap steak dinner .

Gambling is what will really drain your cash quick !!! remember pretty much everything else is subsidised to get you into Casino's and gambling money .

you could call up Carhire 3000 about a car hire , but without a credit card you might have problems . if you aren't planning on wandering off strip too far , Taxis and Buses can take you a lot of places .

duchy

March

I've used Cash Passports (has to be $ ones to use obviously) Why are you asking First Choice about Thos Cook products though ????Sounds like FC are desperate for your business IMO

What do you want your $200 to cover ? Food obviously-but what else do you want to do ? Gamble? trips to other places? Clubs? Shows (if so what types?) Check out resturant.com for some vouchers to make your money go further too .....and have you looked at the on-line coupon sites ?

You can buy a deuce/ace pass for the bus -if you don't mind walking a bit you could get away with say a 3 day pass.
Depends if you are drinkers or not too

technolight

September

MsBrightside wrote: »

Hi everyone

We're off to Vegas next week to get married and just found this thread! I have a million questions but prob a bit too late!

Has anyone used a cash passport/pre-paid mastercard for their $$$? We have one from Thomas Cook but First Choice told us in no uncertain terms that you CANNOT use them in Las Vegas! I think they're wrong personally! Can anyone confirm?

Also we really wanted to hire a car for a day or two but we don't have a credit card, I'm assuming there's no way we can?

Really worried we won't have enough money to do anything but eat and get about! We think we have about $200 per day. I know there's no point asking how much is enough because everyone is different but hoping we can do more than just that!

Just noticed the line " don`t have a credit card ",someone correct me if i`m wrong but I`m pretty sure you are going to need one to check in at your hotel.

Jitterbug

August

Thanks for the advice!

I have registered with restaurant.com but I'm not sure how it really works!

duchy wrote: »

I've used Cash Passports (has to be $ ones to use obviously) Why are you asking First Choice about Thos Cook products though ????Sounds like FC are desperate for your business IMO

Oh we booked a Kuoni package through First Choice and when they asked if we wanted any currency I said we had a currency passprt from Thomas Cook they were insisting you should only take travellers cheques. They do their own currency card but don't offer them to people going to Vegas.

TC said they never used to but there doesn't seem to be a problem anymore.

technolight wrote: »

Just noticed the line " don`t have a credit card ",someone correct me if i`m wrong but I`m pretty sure you are going to need one to check in at your hotel.

As we have paid for a package I'm hoping that we can either pay a cash deposit or waive the right to charge to our room (or both) as our accommodation is already paid for.

Thanks!
MsB

adrienne1945

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

MsBrightside wrote: »

Hi everyone

We're off to Vegas next week to get married and just found this thread! I have a million questions but prob a bit too late!

Has anyone used a cash passport/pre-paid mastercard for their $$$? We have one from Thomas Cook but First Choice told us in no uncertain terms that you CANNOT use them in Las Vegas! I think they're wrong personally! Can anyone confirm?

I used Fairfx prepaid Mastercards (got 2 separate ones) and also Caxton (1 of theirs) on my last US visit due to the fact that my bank account was cleared out after a trip to Texas by my card details (which I had only given to the hotel receptionist on check in) being used by fraudsters. I would always use the prepaid ones now and found them to be great. The reason for having 3 separate ones was so that I could use one for hire car guarantee and one for hotel incidentals guarantee each with enough credit on them to keep car hire and hotel people happy, because each of these put a hold on your credit card and you can't get at your money, and then one with more money loaded for normal purchases etc. Extra money can also be loaded on to the card whilst you are on holiday which is also great. They were accepted everywhere in exactly the same way as any other credit/debit cards.

ferf1223

April

MsBrightside wrote: »

Thanks for the advice!

I have registered with restaurant.com but I'm not sure how it really works!

You're buying a voucher at a discount which entitles you to a specific amount off your meal (you can only use one voucher at a time, and only one per month per restaurant so cannot buy 2 or 3 to use the same time).

Each has its own terms, but many are $25 voucher good with a minimum spend of $35 (usually excluding alcohol, sometimes including it)...some do add a gratuity automatically too. So you get your $25 voucher which normally costs $10 for $3 with a 70% off code - and you can then get $25 worth of food for that $3 cost.

There are several restaurants on or close to the strip.

You print your vouchers once purchased and bring them with you. You can use a US address to purchase them (you can use PayPal as well as a CC or debit card).

There have been quite a few posts recently for discount coupons - may be worth going back a few pages. Even googling 'vegas coupons' will bring back a lot of hits.

$200 is totally do-able if you choose wisely leaving you more than just food money - you will likely not want more than 2 meals a day, and there are some quite good buffets. If you are drinkers though you'll have to plan fairly carefully - most casino bars are really expensive (relatively speaking).

I would suggest that you steer clear of gambling though - or play only very, very low stakes on penny slot machines or something as I agree with the others, that's really what can suck your money quite quickly.

And there is a lot to see and do in Vegas that's free - so your money can go a long way if you are careful.

nvh

seems quite a few are in Vegas during this time frame so thought it's worth posting about "Restaurant Week" ( http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurantweek/ )

Runs 30th August to 5th September...

Anyways, MGM for example have the following restaurants doing set menus and they seem to be pretty well priced - no doubt wine will set you back a few more quid in some of them though (ie. Nobhill!) - have put the set menu prices against each of them

- Craftsteak ($50.10 p/p)
- Diego ($30.10 p/p)
- Grand Wok ($20.10 p/p)
- Fiamma ($30.10 p/p)
- L'Atelier ($50.10 p/p)
- Nobhill Tavern ($50.10 p/p)
- Pearl ($50.10 p/p)
- Seablue ($50.10 p/p)
- Shibuya ($50.10 p/p)
- Studio Caf! ($20.10 p/p)
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill ($50.10 p/p)

More info on the actual set-menu's is here:
http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/restaurant-week-menus.aspx

Jitterbug

August

I think a few places are participating actually. I have a link but can't post links because I'm too new!

I just googled 'restaurant week las vegas'

Thanks for the MGM info. I saw something about it on the Bellagio website a while ago and forgot all about it

Froggitt

nvh wrote: »

seems quite a few are in Vegas during this time frame so thought it's worth posting about "Restaurant Week" ( http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurantweek/ )

Runs 30th August to 5th September...

Anyways, MGM for example have the following restaurants doing set menus and they seem to be pretty well priced - no doubt wine will set you back a few more quid in some of them though (ie. Nobhill!) - have put the set menu prices against each of them

- Craftsteak ($50.10 p/p)
- Diego ($30.10 p/p)
- Grand Wok ($20.10 p/p)
- Fiamma ($30.10 p/p)
- L'Atelier ($50.10 p/p)
- Nobhill Tavern ($50.10 p/p)
- Pearl ($50.10 p/p)
- Seablue ($50.10 p/p)
- Shibuya ($50.10 p/p)
- Studio Caf! ($20.10 p/p)
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill ($50.10 p/p)

More info on the actual set-menu's is here:
http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/restaurant-week-menus.aspx

Fiamma wasnt very nice IMHO. Tried to be to clever, just ended up making a mess of tastes.

duchy

March

Where are you staying ?

Most hotels want a deposit on check in even if the room is pre-paid -often $100 or $200 a night . First Choice should have advised you of this.
I've used pre-paid cards in Vegas on several occassions-not everyone takes them but most places do-and they work in the ATMs too although it's better to use the ATMs at places like Walgreens rather than in the casinos as the charge is less.

A good place for reasonably priced food is the Orleans -their buffet is really good at a lower cost than the Strip buffets and they have lots of deals as well as a decent casino. You can travel there for free on their shuttle from Bills from 10 am to midnight