Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2014

stoneman

lesley74 wrote: »

Stoneman, would you mind elaborating on the Tesco and Amex thing?

We have Tesco credit card but we've been shopping more at Aldi, so I'm not sure we'd do that well from Tesco as we only spend about £20 or so in there a week now.

As for Amex, I don't have a clue so any hints appreciated.

We tend to fly with US Airways once a year though, so again I'm not sure we'd benefit as we have a need to fly out of Glasgow so less options. Our miles will merge with American soon though so who knows if we'll finally get that flight that constantly just gets out of reach each time we think we have enough points!!

Our other long haul the last couple of years has been with Emirates. Pity they don't all use the same points thing, we'd probably do better if our 'east' and 'west' miles could be combined. We enjoy the variety though, and the winter temperatures out east!

Depending on which Amex card you get you can get bonus Avios or Member rewards points which can be transferred into Avios. Headforpoints is the first port of call for everything about credit cards. AA do a free Amex card that if you spend £2,000 in 3 months you receive 30K AAdvantage miles.
Tesco is just a route to getting Avios or VS flying miles. Looking at Paid to Shop will give you hints on obtaining bonus Clubcard points.
I don't shop at Tesco either, I have a nice new Aldi about a 5 minute walk from my house, bliss!
But when an opportunity comes up to abuse Mr. T's generosity I grab it with both hands.
At the moment I have about half a million Avios , 200K VS miles and 150K AAdvantage miles. It's a bit of a hobby of mine

vegasvisitor

Thanks for that Stoneman. I'll have a look soon. Hubby not been very well but is on the mend.

pebblesmax

nvh wrote: »

Pebbles - do you get on ok with the US keyboard on your Samsung, or did you manage to get it changed? (I know it's easier with laptops)

Haven't had a problem at all. I switch between UK, US and Spanish keyboards regularly. If I was a lightning fast typist it might be an issue, but so far so good.

silvercar

21yrold wrote: »

I wouldn't turn down a section for grabbing cheaper seats etc, could be fun. I use my Natwest points card ATM, and its pretty poo for rewards, I might get a Amex for my usual spend etc, if its possible to build up points for flights then im more than happy!

I've read bits of that website, it appears the BA Amex would be best, I don't shop at Tesco.

The Amex gold card (£120 annual fee, in year 2) gives 20k of points when you spend £2k in the 1st 3 months, the BA (no annual fee) one only gives 9k if you spend £1k on it within 3 months?

I would have a guess for a lower user like myself, i just use my cards for fuel and big purchases etc the BA one would be better?

We have the £150 BA Amex one because it gives lots of points on the initial spend and extra points when you fly BA and also the 2-4-1 voucher valid for 2 years every year. OH puts his work expenses on it too, which gives us more points.

ferf1223

Dov wrote: »

I'm still looking to get the best hotel deal and I have seen Cosmopolitan for £920 and Aria for £720-- would you guys recommend booking at this price or is it likely to fall??
Ive also seen that Cosmo includes free breakfast in wicked spoon buffet for international guests which seems a pretty good addition, anyone had this deal?

Have you tried looking at lowcostusa for Cosmo? They used to have good rates. I know for awhile they had free breakfast for international guests but it stopped...sounds like maybe some are offering it again.

For us it wouldn't be something we would give much consideration - too many dining options in Vegas to eat at the same place everyday...but if it was no more expensive than other bookings for the same hotel then it couldn't hurt to have the option. Just check that the rate isn't actually more expensive than just room only.

Did you check the links on the first page? Worth checking the links at smartervegas.

http://www.smartervegas.com/hotels/cosmopolitan/promotionalcodes.aspx

ferf1223

stoneman wrote: »

D
I don't shop at Tesco either, I have a nice new Aldi about a 5 minute walk from my house, bliss!
But when an opportunity comes up to abuse Mr. T's generosity I grab it with both hands.
At the moment I have about half a million Avios , 200K VS miles and 150K AAdvantage miles. It's a bit of a hobby of mine

this intrigues me...I just assumed you did most of your shopping at Tesco. I may have to have a look at this hobby as a new year's resolution sort of thing...

21yrold

silvercar wrote: »

We have the £150 BA Amex one because it gives lots of points on the initial spend and extra points when you fly BA and also the 2-4-1 voucher valid for 2 years every year. OH puts his work expenses on it too, which gives us more points.

I've gone for the BA free one, I've been accepted so now lets so how I can make some points and hopefully get an upgrade on some seats to Vegas or something, I'm not expecting much tbh...Just a little treat!

Just have to make sure i spend the 1k in 3 months to get my 9k points, which shouldn't be an issue with normal bills etc

stoneman

21yrold wrote: »

I've gone for the BA free one, I've been accepted so now lets so how I can make some points and hopefully get an upgrade on some seats to Vegas or something, I'm not expecting much tbh...Just a little treat!

Just have to make sure i spend the 1k in 3 months to get my 9k points, which shouldn't be an issue with normal bills etc

You will not get any "treats" The card is issued by Amex, BA won't even know you have it.
Upgrades are almost 100% given to status passengers and only if the cabin they are booked in is oversold. We have been upgraded every single time we have booked in WT+ and a couple of times when we have booked in Clubworld

stoneman

ferf1223 wrote: »

this intrigues me...I just assumed you did most of your shopping at Tesco. I may have to have a look at this hobby as a new year's resolution sort of thing...

The only shopping I do in Tesco is to buy 3V gift cards with my Amex Gold card which gives double points for grocery shopping in the first year. 150 bonus Club Card points for every £50 you spend. I have probably spent well in excess of £6,000 on them, Used to churn them through my NS&I account until that loophole was closed. Now I stock up my EDF account with them and just ask for a refund on the credit in the account. Then use the money to pay off the credit card. Check out this thread on Paid to Shop, (you might have to register to view it)

stoneman

lesley74 wrote: »

Thanks for that Stoneman. I'll have a look soon. Hubby not been very well but is on the mend.

Wish him well from me and Mrs. Stoneman