Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

kelda_shelton

September

Hi all,

Thanks to you guys and your tips, I now got a Halifax Clarity card so that i can get the best rate in currency while in vegas.. in 3 weeks but now I'm like arggh! How do i use it?

Can anyone give me the basics about the best way to use it? (or point me to a thread that does)

I looked at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money but still a bit confused!!

Should I use for cash withdrawl only and not purchases? Should I use for large withdrawls only? Should I pay off that withdrawn within a few days to get the best deal? I can't load beforehand I don't think?

lasvegaschris

October , November

8 lads off to Vegas in October - I've read elsewhere about 'Blondies Bar' near the Planet Hollywood/Miracle Mile area, and heard that most nights have $20 all you can drink on Bud and Bud light. My question is, vegas.com says I'll need TWO forms of I.D? is this standard?

http://www.vegas.com/nightlife/bars/blondies.html

luci

May

kelda_shelton wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks to you guys and your tips, I now got a Halifax Clarity card so that i can get the best rate in currency while in vegas.. in 3 weeks but now I'm like arggh! How do i use it?

Can anyone give me the basics about the best way to use it? (or point me to a thread that does)

I looked at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money but still a bit confused!!

Should I use for cash withdrawl only and not purchases? Should I use for large withdrawls only? Should I pay off that withdrawn within a few days to get the best deal? I can't load beforehand I don't think?

Check which interest rate you have got. 12.9% is the lowest, but some people are getting higher ones.

If you use it for purchases, as long as you pay in full when the statement comes in you won't be charged.

If you use if to withdraw cash at an ATM, there are no fees, but you will be charged at least 12.9% from the moment you take it out. This is only 1% a month or 0.5% if you manage to pay it back within 2 weeks.

You can go online and pay it off, but remember to calculate the interest.

Vegas ATM's impose their own fees and the casino ones are typically $4.99 per transaction. However the one inside Casino Royale is only $1.

HTH

luci

May

lasvegaschris wrote: »

8 lads off to Vegas in October - I've read elsewhere about 'Blondies Bar' near the Planet Hollywood/Miracle Mile area, and heard that most nights have $20 all you can drink on Bud and Bud light. My question is, vegas.com says I'll need TWO forms of I.D? is this standard?

http://www.vegas.com/nightlife/bars/blondies.html

I think you'll be fine with one form of govenment issued photo ID such as a passport or driving licence, but if you're worried, take both.

It may be worth a visit to Blondie's during the day to check it out with them before actually going for a sesh.

kelda_shelton

September

luci wrote: »

Check which interest rate you have got. 12.9% is the lowest, but some people are getting higher ones.

If you use it for purchases, as long as you pay in full when the statement comes in you won't be charged.

If you use if to withdraw cash at an ATM, there are no fees, but you will be charged at least 12.9% from the moment you take it out. This is only 1% a month or 0.5% if you manage to pay it back within 2 weeks.

You can go online and pay it off, but remember to calculate the interest.

Vegas ATM's impose their own fees and the casino ones are typically $4.99 per transaction. However the one inside Casino Royale is only $1.

HTH

Thanks Luci.. fountain of knowledge as usual!!

we're staying at the Excalibur.... do they note on each ATM the charge or not?

BangorJane

August

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. You have all done a marvellous job with this thread -heading to Vegas on Thursday and your suggestions have been great for helping me plan! Just a quick question - are there mozzies along the Strip? Would I need to bring anti-mozzie spray?

stoneman

September

BangorJane wrote: »

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. You have all done a marvellous job with this thread -heading to Vegas on Thursday and your suggestions have been great for helping me plan! Just a quick question - are there mozzies along the Strip? Would I need to bring anti-mozzie spray?

Never seen a mosquito in Vegas in 20 years, others may have been less fortunate

Triker

No mozzies here either but the static electricity packs a punch...:eek:...maybe take a bounce dryer sheet in your pocket if you find you're susceptible.

stoneman

September

MsBrightside wrote: »

You guys have been so helpfull over the last few days so you might be able to give me some advice.

I get paid on Friday and my plan was to grab some last minute travelers cheques. This would have to be at Gatwick because we have to leave the house at 6am and go straight to the airport to check in for our morning flight so can't go anywhere before!

I'm assuming that the airport isn't the most economical foreign exchange.

Would I be better off drawing cash out of my bank account from an ATM once I get there?

Whenever I've gone on holiday to other places this is what I've always done, but not done it in the US.

I've put a holiday marker on my bank account so I can use my card there if need be.

If you have to pick money up at the airport what we do is use the travelmoney maximiser on here, grab a screenshot of the rate you could get from the top place (most likely ThomasGlobal) then go to Travelex and order the money to pick up at Gatwick. Email Travelex the screenshot and they will match that price. What they do is give you money at their online rate but you don't pay till you pick it up, and send you a cheque for the difference, used them a few times and they have always been good.
Travelmoneymaximiser
Travelex
Travelex price promise look at no.7 in the T&C

stoneman

September

Triker wrote: »

No mozzies here either but the static electricity packs a punch...:eek:...maybe take a bounce dryer sheet in your pocket if you find you're susceptible.

Second that, Bounce is the future!!