Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2011

stoneman

October

Vixi wrote: »

Thanks stoneman - if we book on say the Friday, are we likely to be able to get a trip for the Sunday or do they get booked up?

There are several companies, Papillion are really good and competitive. They run 3 or 4 trips a day so you should be able to get something I am sure. also check in your room for the "What's On" book, full of coupons for helicopter flights.
BTW if you keep walking towards MGM there is a large store near M&M world that specialises in GC tours. (Think it is called the Canyon gift shop)

pennylane99

November / December

Virgin have a reward seat sale on, most US destinations 25000 miles ( plus taxes, fees etc ...approx £285 for Vegas)

Doodles28

September

Hi,

Long term lurker, and thanks for all the fab info on here, used it on previous trips, but have a few questions for this one.

Going to Vegas at the weekend, and this will be our 4th time, we've signed up in the past for the players cards, mainly for the freebies given on joining, as don't think we gamble enough for much else. My question is, as the points on our cards are now invalid, (3 years past) we may as well sign up for a new card, is this possible or will be be already "in their system". If so, I'm thinking the way around it may be to use a different email address, can't recall how much info (like home address) was given. Is it possible to just sign up for a new card? Also, what is the monetary value of the points collected ie you need 1000 for a gondola trip, so how much do you have to play to receive this number of units?

Also, arrive late Sunday, last day of restaurant week, thinking of going to the Mexican at Monte Carlo, as staying at Marriott Grand Chateau, so nearby, should we book? I'd rather not, as don't want to be restricted to times, incase we are either later or earlier ready than expected (have a 4 year old so nothing is down to a "t"), but unsure if you had to and to stipulate you wanted the restaurant week deal?

The Las Vegas sign - never been and done that - yet! Think we should this time. How far from the Mandalay Bay is it, should you just get a taxi? There will be 4 adults and one child, but thinking if we're at M Bay then wonder if it is walkable, I'm thinking not or we would have done it before?

Saw mentioned somewhere re Oatman and thought it may be a good trip one day, rent a car, do Hoover Dam and head to Oatman, maybe stop at Laughlin. I read about them doing mock gunfights at Oatman, I've read various websites saying at weekends and others saying everyday, anyone know if it is only at weekends? Any other interesting places to drive to? We did originally intend going to Death Valley, but it seemed a long drive with nothing in between, whereas we thought with Oatman there is a few places (Searchlight-what's that like?) Been to Red Rock Canyon (although friends haven't).

Prob loads more questions, but these will keep me going for now!! Oh and does anyone know if our wee one will be allowed out at the tables by the lake at Parasol Down at the Wynn? Would like to go there for a cocktail.

Thanks in advance

ferf1223

March

Doodles28 wrote: »

Hi,

Long term lurker, and thanks for all the fab info on here, used it on previous trips, but have a few questions for this one.

Going to Vegas at the weekend, and this will be our 4th time, we've signed up in the past for the players cards, mainly for the freebies given on joining, as don't think we gamble enough for much else. My question is, as the points on our cards are now invalid, (3 years past) we may as well sign up for a new card, is this possible or will be be already "in their system". If so, I'm thinking the way around it may be to use a different email address, can't recall how much info (like home address) was given. Is it possible to just sign up for a new card? Also, what is the monetary value of the points collected ie you need 1000 for a gondola trip, so how much do you have to play to receive this number of units?

We've signed up multiple times at a few properties we rarely go to - may just depend. Palms definately didn't have us in their system...nor Tropicana. You have to give a government issued ID (some places don't take UK driving licenses) so I would just play dumb, ask to sign up and if they say 'oh, you already have an account let me print you a new card' then you just 'forgot'...no biggie.

As for the value of points - it varies by programme...some are more clear than others...

https://www.mlife.com/ - MGM

http://www.totalrewards.com/total_rewards/overview/overview.jsp - Caeasars

http://www.venetian.com/Grazie-Loyalty-Program/ - Venetian Palazzo.

Caesars is the most clear cut (I think) - 1 point = 1c...so you always know where you stand. It takes $5 throughplay to earn 1 point on slots - I think $10 on video poker. That is easy I think.

!!!!!! has made things all kinds of complicated with different categories...we've used the express comps (usually at Starbucks) and FreePlay. Express comps seem fairly straight-forward - For every slot point, earn two cents (2¢) of Express Comps.

Grazie seems to say Earned on qualifying slot and video poker play only. For every 2,500 Slot Rewards points earned, you can redeem one of the following: $15 Slot Credits or $15 in Resort Comps...I would guess (though do not know) that resort comps could be used for something like the gondola ride...but their points system is based on theoretical win...for the lowest level - Percentage of Theoretical Win available in Slot Credits* 6% 10 Points Awarded Per Dollar of Theoretical Win

Too complicated for me.

Doodles28

September

Thanks Ferf, I have a feeling that we may have had some points we could have used previously, but hey ho, we know now, and it would never have been anything major

nvh

ferf1223 wrote: »

just saw this at the American Casino Guide's current Vegas Values report.

Cosmopolitan: Through September 30, Lose $100 in a Day & It’s On Us - Play your favorites slots in their casino, and if you lose $100 in a day, they will reimburse you with $100 in Identity Play. Just bring your card to the Identity Membership Desk after your loss to receive your $100 in Identity Play. Players can receive $100 reimbursement one time only and the slot loss must be greater than or equal to $100 on that calendar date. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Visit the Identity Membership Desk for more info.

Now, given our experience of losing at Cosmo, this is at least interesting to us...only if we're there and we've lost of course - we wouldn't go into something planning to lose $100 (we're not that daft)...but for us it's worth bearing in mind. We're actually talking about going there, putting $50 each into the kitty and playing together on one card...that way, if it does all go wrong and we lose the $100 - we've only lost $50 each and will at least have another $100 between us to play with.

Wife will kill me for posting or even using t'interweb on holiday but she's in the jacuzzi and I'm flat out drunk on sofa watching seinfeld so...

I wasn't offered this deal... Though its what I wanted. Instead I was offered 10 dollar free or a spin on the big wheel. We both did it. Wife got 5 dollar free credit... I got 100. Woohoo!

Chances to win 500 max prize, 2 wickedspoon buffets and other stuff. Apologies for any lack of comprehension... Take care guys. Will do a full update on our return

kevboasis

Thanks for the advice guys.

Any information on whether I would be charged for leaving my hotel (Luxor) a day early? Have paid to stay 6 nights but are looking at checkig out after our 5th night and trying the bellagio or venetian on our last night.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

zackary71

Just found out Penn & Teller show cancelled. Noticed a credit back to my card so rang Rio and they confirmed they've cancelled mid Oct thru to November.
The annoying thing is because of the change in the exchange rate, I've actually lost £5 through no fault of my own.
What's the Vegas odds that they don't refund the difference !!!

spike2012

September

Hi all

my friend has an american sim card he is going to lend us for our trip on sunday but I am having massive problems with my handset. if I unlock it, i will lose most of my pictures as the albums on my phone are a mess, and the pics and vids are split between the external and internal memory card

my question is, will there be anywhere to purchase an americal cell phone while we are there? I checked walmart, but everything said its not available for sale in stores... argh frustrating..

Can anyone recommend anything? (soon?)

Thanks!

P.S WOOOO HOLIDAY.... WOOO Honeymoon. And breathe.

stoneman

October

zackary71 wrote: »

Just found out Penn & Teller show cancelled. Noticed a credit back to my card so rang Rio and they confirmed they've cancelled mid Oct thru to November.
The annoying thing is because of the change in the exchange rate, I've actually lost £5 through no fault of my own.
What's the Vegas odds that they don't refund the difference !!!

My opinion, you had a lucky escape! (get it, see what I did here!... Oh please yourselves)