Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2011

stoneman

October

duchy wrote: »

I am so looking forward to fluff's TR

Me too, and I'll have a double of what fluff is drinking:beer:

spalding

The planning is in full swing! Looking into perhaps hiring a car coming in at about £200 for 10 days on carhire3000 is there likely to be additions to this price.

Also how easy is driving in Vegas, finding your way around parking etc?

Cheers

trets77

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

Experienced Vegas-goers,

Is a credit card really an essential over there? Most hotels seem to request a credit card as a security measure, fair enough I suppose - they've probably seen more than their fair share of thrashed hotel rooms, but I'm happy to say I don't have a credit card, only a visa debit card. Is that likely to be a big problem? I could get a pre-paid Mastercard (from Moneybookers) if that was seen to be useful but not that interested in getting a CC.

Has anyone else used a debit card to book hotel rooms online, and then cancel these rooms later on when cheaper alternatives become available (as is the advice on this forum). How has this worked out?

I intend to travel alone and would be staying at the cheaper hotels - Strat, Bills, IP, 4Queens, etc.

This is the only thing holding me back at present - the lack of credit card. I'd love to book my dream holiday. Should I just bite the bullet and apply for a CC?

Thanks.

all about money saving IMO . most debit cards will charge you to book a room , and then probably charge you again to get the money refunded . several times using the Post Office credit card i have actually made a profit when cancelling a booking, because the $ has weakened since i made the booking .

Plus booking things on a Credit card gives you extra protection . useful for that nice gift that is going in your suitcase on the way home

Car Hire Companies and Hotels generally prefer a credit card i think .if your worried about running up a large amount then simply cut it up when you are finished . don't see Credit Cards as evil and slippery slope , yes there are some who run up huge amounts of debt on them , but loads of people , like the posters here who make the Credit Card work for them .

again check out this link for what is the best to get .

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Triker

March

Hi all, the coupon collecting has started...:j

found these for Downtown, Freemont Street, courtesy of supershe from the Tripadvisor forums...

http://www.vegasexperience.com/coupons/

Password is realvegas

These expire 31st March 2011.


Includes a coupon for a free photo with 1 million dollars at Binions, and free shot glass offer and 2 for 1's on food.

Click, download and print.:D

trets77

spalding wrote: »

The planning is in full swing! Looking into perhaps hiring a car coming in at about £200 for 10 days on carhire3000 is there likely to be additions to this price.

Also how easy is driving in Vegas, finding your way around parking etc?

Cheers

Carhire 3000 quotes i have had, have always included all needed insurance . you may need to purchase fuel , but most hire companies have a return the car full policy .

you may be offered additional insurance when you arrive , like contents ect . not needed if you have travel insurance ( which i hope you do have) .some also offer Breakdown insurance , personally i always turn this down .

Carhire 3000 have a 24/7 UK call centre . why not call them up and they will answer all questions .

Driving in Vegas is easy enough . Strip can be a bit manic at certain times , but driving in USA is a breeze compared to your average UK city . Sat nav is helpful though

most important difference is that you can Turn Right on Red Traffic light . unless there is sign saying you cannot , and provided it is clear of traffic and people and safe do so .

£200 for 10 days sounds like a good deal . i would get the biggest car you can afford . a Yaris will seem like a smart car compared to everyone else . even Focus type cars feel small . i always get a SUV

MariaC

October

Hi All
I'm off to get married in Vegas this October :j - very exciting stuff!
We have family joining us, most of whom are "US Adults" ie. over 21, but my main worry at the moment is: will there be enough to do for my younger brother and sister who will be 18 and 19 respectively.
I am worried they'll end up left out in the evenings............
really do not want them flying all that way to sit in a hotel room every night!
We were going to have a small cocktail reception in a bar just after the wedding but have realised that they wouldn't be allowed in!

Ideas or suggestion are most welcome!

mookybargirl

March

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

Should I just bite the bullet and apply for a CC?

Thanks.

Having a CC avoids the hotel putting a hold against your debit card at check in. This could be $100 per day and might hold for 7-10 days meaning you can't really access this cash whilst the hold is on it.

I have a Post Office credit card, and we only use it for holidays. We then come back, we pay the balance and stick it in the cupboard until the next trip. It's much easier than carrying cash around and avoids charging from my bank every time I use my debit card. I chuck all my shopping and meals on the card, as it's convenient. It works for us...

And loving the MGM celebrity spa suite notes. Just the one Chuckle brother? :rotfl: :rotfl: and a Davro with a 10c credit? :rotfl: :rotfl: Too funny! :rotfl:

I'll need to see what foodie photos we can dig out too.....

ferf1223

March

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

Is a credit card really an essential over there? Most hotels seem to request a credit card as a security measure, fair enough I suppose - they've probably seen more than their fair share of thrashed hotel rooms, but I'm happy to say I don't have a credit card, only a visa debit card. Is that likely to be a big problem?

Some hotels will allow you to leave a cash deposit rather than a card swipe at check-in, you can't use any of the room-charging priviledges...just depends on what hotel.

ferf1223

March

MariaC wrote: »

Hi All
I'm off to get married in Vegas this October :j - very exciting stuff!
We have family joining us, most of whom are "US Adults" ie. over 21, but my main worry at the moment is: will there be enough to do for my younger brother and sister who will be 18 and 19 respectively.
I am worried they'll end up left out in the evenings............
really do not want them flying all that way to sit in a hotel room every night!
We were going to have a small cocktail reception in a bar just after the wedding but have realised that they wouldn't be allowed in!

Ideas or suggestion are most welcome!

18 = adult in the US...drinking age is 21...yes, it's a bit odd. You could have the reception in a restaurant that serves cocktails rather than a bar to accomodate them?

I would think that being a Brit of that age in Vegas would be kind of awful - at least those who enjoy going out for a drink...old enough to drink here, not old enough to even get into bars in the US. Probably too old for a lot of the things people who bring their kids do...they certainly would not have to sit in a hotel room every night though - there's loads of stuff to see and do that doesn't involve being in a bar...they just need to prepare in advance for what they can't do so they won't spend the whole time being annoyed.

ferf1223

March

OK, wanting to play the Vegas food video game...we've had a look around and can only find 2...both at Triple George Grill and both desserts (2 different visits, 6 months apart - NOT on the same night, I feel I must add).

Video quality is not great as the restaurant is quite dark...but you will get the idea.

Some chocolate thing...I'm sure it was $5.95.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llOuGQSW4s8

The item on the dessert menu labeled 'cookies'. In this case, peanut butter as I'd assumed we could have a couple cookies of different types and had already fixated on peanut butter when we realised you could only choose one option...we understood why when the waitress returned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwtZaF6OjQg