Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2012

photome

VALUE FOR MONEY

luci wrote: »

No, the KLM flights are via Minneapolis. It's a few years since we did it, but the transatlantic was with North West.

I haven't see the AMS option on Kayak either. We booked with Expedia that time as it was our first trip back to Vegas after 17 years.

As luci says there are no direct flights from AMS to LAS but they arent all through Minneapolis, I have done LAS via AMS twice , last year via Seattle, cant remeber the other but havent been via Minneapolis. As KLM codeshare with Delta there are often many options.

I always get an amsterdam option on Kayak but thet is with a starting airport of Norwich.

Is there an option to put in "via Amsterdam" on Kayak

ferf1223

VALUE FOR MONEY

photome wrote: »

Is there an option to put in "via Amsterdam" on Kayak

Could do a multi-city search and try to force it via Amsterdam.

My now hubby used to do that when visiting me in the US - many times he found cheaper options this way, forcing a routing through Newark by using the multi-city option...same flights were more expensive when searching a straight return than effectively tacking all the legs together into a return...weird.

luci

Well blow me down with a feather.

Today's Kayak email for a flight in November shows the fare has dropped since yesterday by £196 and these flights are with KLM / Delta via AMS and MSP or Detroit.

Froggitt

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

We'd like to go on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon but the prices seem pretty steep, about $600 per person. Is there anything a bit more money-saving, i.e. cheaper I feel like the Grand Canyon is something that we have to do. Should I book ahead before we go, or wait until we get there and take advantage of coupons that others have said are available?

T.I.A.

You can get a plane to the South Rim ie proper Canyon, for $300 or so, with coach at other end and entrance into the National Park. Book in advance using 10% off codes readily available eg Scenic Airlines or one of the other brands they sell thru.

Froggitt

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

We'll be arriving in Vegas in one and a half weeks time! We don't really have much planned for the first day because I don't know how tired we'll be, but what I really want to do for my first ever day in Vegas is to watch the sunset with a few beers, then watch the Strip light up. Wheres the best place to do this?
I was thinking perhaps the Stratosphere?

Assuming a direct flight and a taxi, youll get to hotel maybe 5pm. Later if indirect or carhire. However it will feel like 1am then, and you will have been up at 5am that morning to get your flight to LGW or LHR. By 9pm, sundown, it will feel like youve been up 24 hours, which you will have been.

Are you tired after 24 hours uptime? I dont arrange anything for first evening.....your decision making will be so poor that you would be p1ssing your money away at games like blackjack.

But theres a great view at the top of the strat. Also theres a Mandalay Bay bar that high up thats meant to be a great view.....Mix?

MaggieBaking

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

Hi all, hope some of you Vegas experts can help me out.

We'll be arriving in Vegas in one and a half weeks time! We don't really have much planned for the first day because I don't know how tired we'll be, but what I really want to do for my first ever day in Vegas is to watch the sunset with a few beers, then watch the Strip light up. Wheres the best place to do this?
I was thinking perhaps the Stratosphere?

I have never been to Vegas so I am not an expert but I saw this thread recently on Trip Advisor which suggests a great place to watch the Strip light up is at the Foundation Room in Mandalay Bay. I have no idea if it's expensive, or if you can see the sunset, anything but the photos look great.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-k5579418-Best_time_to_get_the_best_photos-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

dreaminglasvegas wrote: »

We'd like to go on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon but the prices seem pretty steep, about $600 per person. Is there anything a bit more money-saving, i.e. cheaper I feel like the Grand Canyon is something that we have to do. Should I book ahead before we go, or wait until we get there and take advantage of coupons that others have said are available?

By far the best recommended Grand Canyon trip is http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g45963-d663940-Reviews-Grand_Adventures_Tours-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

I plan on going on their Sunset tour, $155 per person - takes you to 3 or 4 points in the Grand Canyon but it is ALL day... 9am - midnight.

HTH

jaytay

VALUE FOR MONEY

photome wrote: »

As luci says there are no direct flights from AMS to LAS but they arent all through Minneapolis, I have done LAS via AMS twice , last year via Seattle, cant remeber the other but havent been via Minneapolis. As KLM codeshare with Delta there are often many options.

I always get an amsterdam option on Kayak but thet is with a starting airport of Norwich.

Is there an option to put in "via Amsterdam" on Kayak

There is actually a direct flight to vegas from Amsterdam,a good option if you can get a cheap flight and hotel at AMS.Have seen prices around 465 euros.You will need someone with a understanding of the dutch language though

http://www.arkefly.nl/default.aspx

must add the 465 was a couple of months ago

duchy

SHOWS

I rather like MSP airport . It's huge but very easy to get around including more motorized carts than any other airport I've ever seen (and the only one which had a classical pianist playing in the terminal on one visit) and if it's a long layover it's a quick train hop to the Mall of Americas for those who love to shop

pebblesmax

VALUE FOR MONEY

We liked MSP too.

ferf1223

VALUE FOR MONEY

alictait wrote: »

You can also swap then with other people or chose gift vouchers etc (all US stores) but the paypal option gave you the most back. Might be worth a look if you have miles expiring soon

My sister received our first gift card ordered via points.com today...so so far, our experience is good, but there was no option to have the gift card shipped to the UK...so without a US shipping address the gift card option is probably a no go...PayPal would have been great if it had been an option on United.

No fees for me to pay either - not even postage.