Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

martmonk

nvh wrote: »

In an attempt to save the hassle of chasing LowCostUSA on your return, it may be worth taking a printout of this with you... it wouldn't be the first time a hotel has waived a resort fee, and the class of the hotel we're talking about may mean that they're willing to make alterations to save their reputation (even though it's no fault of their own.)

You don't necessarily have to make a fuss of it but it may just be worth pointing out and showing them you have documentation saying the resort fee is optional - if you look slightly disgruntely though, they may at least give you a good room

just a thought

I was planning on doing that, and having the original email on my phone so they can see I haven't doctored anything.

I toyed for a while with contacting lowcostusa and telling them they are wrong but I figure I've given them enough chances - I asked the question when I saw their rates, asked them to double check when they said it was non mandatory, had them call me to complete the booking and asked the guy on the phone, then received the confirmation pdf.

I think I'll pay any fees at check out on a credit card to give me an extra option for claiming it back when we return.

StuieUK34

Hey all, didnt get chance to update last night, so doing it now:
IE: Resort Fee's

Lady from Netflights called me last night after that confusing email she sent me, but all works out good now....

LowCostUsa, QuickRooms & Netflights (and Virgin, and other brokers, etc), am guessing with some agents we use over here, the 'Resort Fee' is included (or excluded if it states it) in the price.
Am guessing the Room booking agent who the UK suppliers use have a deal setup which covers all costs, inc resort fees, etc....

The notes i've heard from 3 different suppliers over here (from seeing it to the sales agent reading it from there notes), states "Resort fee inclusive, except for Canadian & Mexican markets"

Specific wording and room/hotel descrption that Netflights have, is the same info as what QuickRooms have, and partially the same as what LowCostUsa have.....

Soooooo, worst case scenario, you cause a scene, and make a claim when you get back, but if that were the case, a major oversight like this would have been shot down ages ago!

Netflights will also price match (hopefully beat too) as was confirmed to me last night, so given i need to cancel the direct booking with Mandalay Bay due to them having zero brains when it comes to honouring there Best Rate Guarantee, think i'll do my booking with Netflights.....

StuieUK34

And using the Mandalay Bay for 3 nights the date i am going, heres a cost comparison (which i guess is same for most hotels advertised in terms of resort fee...)

Virgin Holidays inc R Fee - £336
Ebookers Exclu R Fee - £234 (+ £49 in fees)
TravelRepublic Exclu R Fee - £234 (+ £49 in fees)
Book Direct with hotel exclu R Fee - £243 (+ £49 in fees)

---

LowCostUsa inc R Fee - £241
QuickRooms inc R Fee - £238
Netflights inc R Fee - £239 (but do price match)

Same setup for others they use/list, so guess all boils down to the room agent they use over in the states......

*** Am confused now after reading this! ***
Taken from Expedia's website, a listing for the Mandalay Bay (same for other hotels), when you get to the fee's part, it reads this:

Unless otherwise indicated, the charges below are not included in the overall room price. If not included in the overall room price, they will be charged by the property at check-in or check-out. Charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book. This property told us they will charge you for the following:

• Resort fee: USD 25 per accommodation, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.

---

Now, unless i am losing the plot, the top line states the charges below arnt included in the overall price, yet the charge is provided to Expedia.
So the final line states they include all charges provided to them ??
!!!!!!!!!!!

rorylando45

secretmachines wrote: »

same here... without trawling back through the posts, where did the non-mandatory idea come from?

The only other 'get out' from resort fees I've heard of is people raising the issue at check-out that they've not used any of inclusive features of the resort fee (gym, papers, etc, etc.) - even then success in having the fee waived is hit-and-miss.

I stayed at the Trop in June 2011, and at check out I just said we weren't really happy to pay the resort fee as we never really used any of the facilities that come with it, she removed it from our bill without hesitation.

StuieUK34

And the thing with PriceLine...
How does that work ?
As it asks for a Credit Card before it goes and searches for a hotel ?
If u put in a low figure which u know wont get anywhere, is it a case of it comes back to u with a list of places it will accept at a certain rate, etc ????? so if nothing takes my fancy at the rate it states, i can back out of the deal ?

neobis

Phone Mandalay Bay direct and ask about the resort fee, this is the only way you can be assured if it is included in your 3rd party total price or not.

StuieUK34

i know its included in the 3rd party quote, states so on website, and netflights specifically states its included as they lady emailed me a quote !
All good there!!

Booking via Expedia although still a 3rd party, have conflicting info, and would be pointless booking with them if the resort isnt included, as there cost would be stupidly high !
I have emailed expedia to see what they come back with

SirAlfonso

lesley74 wrote: »

No worries Luci. You can get help with hotwire also on betterbidding.com If you have any specific questions or if you want me to try to identify hotels on there feel free to drop me a pm.

Another that I've not really heard of being used in Vegas - Lastminute Secret Hotels. I wonder if anyone has had any success with that. I'm going to check that out too.

I used Lastminute's secret hotels for my upcoming trip. First time i haven't booked direct.

I booked a 'Hollywood Hip' room for 7 nights, March 23rd - 30th. It was £450, less a 15% voucher, and 15% quidco which has just been paid (booked in November). Total £325.

Mine was obvious due to the name of the room but others aren't unless you sort by the distance from Mccarran, as the named hotel will be above or below the secret one.

neobis

StuieUK34 wrote: »

i know its included in the 3rd party quote, states so on website, and netflights specifically states its included as they lady emailed me a quote !
All good there!!

It would be best to double check as I suspect you might get a surprise when checking out.

ferf1223

StuieUK34 wrote: »

And the thing with PriceLine...
How does that work ?

be very careful with Priceline...if your bid is accepted you're booked and will then find out what hotel...if you made a mistake in the zones or price, it's too late to fix it.