Las Vegas 2007 bargain hunt + tips

ferf1223

Froggitt wrote: »

Two things to remember.......10% off thru Flying Club, and free hotel in Gatwick thru Frequent Virgin.

Hi - can you clarify the free hotel in Gatwick thing? We always stay the night before at the Hilton but have always paid for it...and now I am intrigued.

ferf1223

luci wrote: »

** Edit - I found post #500, but it doesn't mention buying miles with Virgin or using miles + money. Can someone post a link to the correct post for me please?

This may be the one (edited as I found the earlier one)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5158428&postcount=505

another a few pages later
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5170827&postcount=533

ferf1223

I don't think this has been posted before and I just ran across it in my Vegas links folder...pictures of rooms at various casinos...can give a decent idea of the sort of room you will get.

http://www.lvcasinoinfo.com/hotelrm_pics.html

I can say that the Bally's pictures are all of a North Tower remodeled room but you can see why we like them as relative to most others they are really big.

The Flamingo room shown is a standard room - not the updated GO rooms which are newly refurbished and quite swanky (if a bit over the top in terms of decoration).

The same site has maps of various casino properties...can be handy to get some general ideas of how big these places are.

http://www.lvcasinoinfo.com/propmap1.html

Froggitt

ferf1223 wrote: »

Hi - can you clarify the free hotel in Gatwick thing? We always stay the night before at the Hilton but have always paid for it...and now I am intrigued.

Here's the info ferf......

If you have an early flight, why not accept a courtesy night at your airport hotel, and arrive for your flight perfectly rested.

If you are traveling a long distance to get to the airport, or simply want to start your holiday as you mean to go on, get off to a relaxing start and stay near the airport the night before your flight.
The hotel offered will be of a minimum three star standard, on a room only basis and will have at least one bar and restaurant on site. Accommodation is available at selected hotels at London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Manchester airports and all hotels on offer will run a transfer service to and from the nearest airport. The benefit entitles you to one room, sleeping a maximum of 4 people, although family rooms may be available on request.
Staying nearby means you can take advantage of Virgin Atlantic's twilight check in and avoid the check in queues at the airport. This service is available between noon and 9pm the night before you fly, from London Gatwick only. You can then turn up at the gate at least 50 minutes prior to departure with your boarding pass. It really is that easy and a real bonus if you're on an early morning flight, or travelling with kids.

I would expect that with the Vegas flight leaving at 10.45am now, and them wanting you there three hours before, that it counts as an early flight.

Are you in the Frequent Virgin Club ferf.....they also do as an alternative a free private car transfer upto 50 miles both ways in the UK.

Hope it helps.

ferf1223

aaah - OK, I see - that's with Virgin Holidays - I thought you meant it was a perk for booking through Virgin Atlantic for flights...we never book through Virgin Holidays as they are always vastly more expensive than booking the hotel and flights separately.

I just checked out of curiosity and for our dates in November they're quoting £766 for Circus Circus (where we would never consider staying but they don't have our hotel as an option)..that's £1532 for the pair of us...our flights were £312.50 each, so £625 on flights...leaving over £900 for the hotels...which we could today book for $755 in a standard room (and that's without looking for any promos that are available which would make it cheaper)...so about £375...meaning that booking direct would result in a savings of over £500!

It's no wonder they're OK with throwing in a free night at Gatwick.

loulou_lemon

Hi everyone,

I've been following this thread for a while now as I'm off to Las Vegas tomorrow!!

Thanks for all the hints & tips - It has turned a reasonably exciting trip into something rather special.

Thanks again & will let you know how I get on.

Lou

blondie21

Heard there were at least 4 new hotels on the strip - mid strip i think. Anyone been recently ? Not sure were to stay. Thinking Planet H, Paris,New Y , Bellagio or if really lucky the Venetian. which would you go for out of that lot. dont want anywere too snobby ( if you know what i mean ) dont want to feel like i shouldnt be there sort of thing......lol

luci

Many thanks for finding the Virgin info for me Ferf. It's looking likely that we'll be going with Virgin in May, if I get a good price, as bmi are coming up at £558 just for the MAN - LAS leg and then I have to add Aberdeen - MAN.

Sorry for the delay in replying, but I'm not getting email notification of replied to this topic even though I am subscribed.

I like THIS SITE which gives you 360 deg views of the rooms and casinos at most of the hotels. Just choose the hotel from the list on the left.

TangoBunny

I'm on Orange Pay as you Go.....will my phone work when I get to Vegas or do I have to ring Orange before hand?
Would it be better for my to buy a USA compatible sim card when I get there

TangoBunny

I'm on Orange Pay as you Go.....will my phone work when I get to Vegas or do I have to ring Orange before hand?
Would it be better for me to buy a USA compatible sim card when I get there