Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

stoneman

ferf1223 wrote: »

If you want that sort of an upgrade you probably want to tip the person who points you to which section of cars you can pick from...I don't think being an Express member or having rented 3x will do it.

That said, if they are out of the type of vehicle you have reserved, you could get lucky...but a tip would probably give the best chance of the result you're after if not.

Are you sure that would work? When you get to the booth to exit you would need to show your voucher which will have on it the type of vehicle you booked, and if it isn't the same you will be sent back. What's to stop people just hopping in any car and driving off. The guys in the garage are only helpers, they have no authority to give you a bigger car because your paperwork would need altering.
The best way to get the bigger car is just to book it.

jammerr

has anyone tried requesting a rollaway bed at ballys when you check-in by tipping? i don't fancy paying an $30 per night and chancing it. worst they can do is charge us when we get there right?

ferf1223

stoneman wrote: »

Are you sure that would work? When you get to the booth to exit you would need to show your voucher which will have on it the type of vehicle you booked, and if it isn't the same you will be sent back. What's to stop people just hopping in any car and driving off. The guys in the garage are only helpers, they have no authority to give you a bigger car because your paperwork would need altering.
The best way to get the bigger car is just to book it.

I agree that the best way to get the bigger car is just to book it - but we have had luck tipping for an upgrade before in various cities and it's a tactic that's mentioned many places...I'm not sure that the guys in the booth check that the car matches what you booked, just log what car you are taking.

If you think about it - if you arrive and you have booked an economy car and they have no economy cars - they point you to another section to pick from...not really different than what was suggested...you'll arrive at the booth with a larger car than you booked...but no one at hte booth will stop you.

A couple of trips ago they were low on intermediate cars and a bunch of people in front of us got pointed to Mustang convertibles instead...etc.

stoneman

ferf1223 wrote: »

I agree that the best way to get the bigger car is just to book it - but we have had luck tipping for an upgrade before in various cities and it's a tactic that's mentioned many places...I'm not sure that the guys in the booth check that the car matches what you booked, just log what car you are taking.

If you think about it - if you arrive and you have booked an economy car and they have no economy cars - they point you to another section to pick from...not really different than what was suggested...you'll arrive at the booth with a larger car than you booked...but no one at hte booth will stop you.

A couple of trips ago they were low on intermediate cars and a bunch of people in front of us got pointed to Mustang convertibles instead...etc.

I see what you say. I was thinking outloud really. So the guy in the booth downstairs says "go to that row, that's where the compacts are" but as he can't see where you are heading you just go jump in 300c and at the booth they will just let you go. Think I'll try that one next time. Never realised that they take tips to just tell you to go to a different row, seeing that at the counter they try like heck to get you to upgrade. I have even tried to negotiate a lower fee for an upgrade and been turned down.

KarenG

General thoughts / pros and cons of hotel choices, please?


Two nights in Luxor, or Tropicana, or Flamingo


Then five nights in Harrahs or Flamingo

The reason for splitting the stay is due to eye watering weekend rates on arrival. We could just do seven nights in the Flamingo but I thought it might be interesting to have the first two nights elsewhere, more southerly.

We've been to Las Vegas once before (18 months ago) with our children, and stayed at the Signature for five nights. We don't need all that space this time, and would prefer a more mid strip location. Don't need a plush room but it must be clean and tidy. We've strolled through all of the above mentioned hotels.

I'm on a pretty tight budget hence the non sexy hotels - I do know for just a little more we could have something much nicer, but there we go!

KarenG

stoneman wrote: »

I see what you say. I was thinking outloud really. So the guy in the booth downstairs says "go to that row, that's where the compacts are" but as he can't see where you are heading you just go jump in 300c and at the booth they will just let you go. Think I'll try that one next time. Never realised that they take tips to just tell you to go to a different row, seeing that at the counter they try like heck to get you to upgrade. I have even tried to negotiate a lower fee for an upgrade and been turned down.

I think the guy you tip amends the paperwork, which is how you are able to exit the garage in the nicer car? At least that's been our experience (albeit not in Las Vegas).

ferf1223

stoneman wrote: »

I see what you say. I was thinking outloud really. So the guy in the booth downstairs says "go to that row, that's where the compacts are" but as he can't see where you are heading you just go jump in 300c and at the booth they will just let you go. Think I'll try that one next time.

Ha - I think part of it is self-regulating...normally people will go where they are told (possibly assuming it will be checked upon exit?)...I suppose it's possible if someone rocks up to the exit in the top car they have when they rented an economy maybe it gets checked...not sure...I just know that many times we've gone to drive out at LAS with a higher level car than we booked (because we were instructed to pick from a higher class section - either because of lack of availability or tipped upgrade) and no one has ever said a peep...I would be too scared of being caught to try to test just taking what I wanted...and I suppose at LAS they normally do have people outside the booth directing people...if someone headed to a completely different area then they were told it might get noticed, not sure.

Wendell_Pierce

Don't shoot me......but I think its more organised than just letting people take out a better car than reserved willy nilly.
I'm guessing there is radio contact between the front desk, the garage and the exit booth.
Last year we reserved a Premium, they were all out, was directed to Luxury by garage lady, and drove to booth.
The booth attendant looked at my paperwork when I handed it through the window, had a conversation with either the desk, the garage or both, then lifted the barrier.

I'm saying I think, and I guess, because I don't actually know, and me too......I'm too scared to try it.

ferf1223

KarenG wrote: »

I think the guy you tip amends the paperwork, which is how you are able to exit the garage in the nicer car? At least that's been our experience (albeit not in Las Vegas).

I honestly can't remember our paperwork being amended but could be wrong...last time we got the paperwork from the booth and went to the car allocation person...they were out of whatever we reserved (likely an intermediate) and they first offered me an SUV which I declined as I never drive a vehicle that big and would be uncomfortable with it, and then she waved me over to another section and said 'OK, just take one of those'...and that was it, she walked away...I think that may have been the time we had the 300.

ferf1223

Wendell_Pierce wrote: »

Don't shoot me......but I think its more organised than just letting people take out a better car than reserved willy nilly.
I'm guessing there is radio contact between the front desk, the garage and the exit booth.

It is entirely possible, though I really don't remember anyone ever calling anyone when we got to the exit booth...could be that in all the 'we're in Vegas!' excitement I've forgotten...but I'm normally chatty with the exit booth guy and don't remember ever having a radio or phone call made...but I've never booked the lowest level car and rolled out in the highest either.

I would never try it on either and certainly wouldn't advocate it...and if memory serves, the higher level cars are to the left of the main booth...maybe the folks on the ground would notice someone veering over that way when they weren't directed to?