Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2014

duchy

Check out the prices from Dublin instead of Belfast via London to LAS . Irish airport tax is massively lower than the UK I usually save around £200 on DUB LON LAS versus LON LAS (works for LAX and SFO too). Might as well spend the money on a minibus or train or coach to Dublin and still save.https://www.kayak.co.uk is a good place to look.

I'd agree get everyone to book their own flights......as an ex travel agent I have NEVER had a stag group without at least one change.You don't need the headache - give them the details and the best company to book with - by all means book the hotel as a group as that's usually changable without charge.

LondonDreamer

craigisallin wrote: »

Good evening all,

Myself and 11 others will be heading to Vegas for my stag party in May 2015 and I was wanting some advice:

1. When is the best time to book? I realise flights are only released approximately 1 year in advance.

2. Which hotels would you recommend? I'm thinking either the Aria, Encore or Cosmopolitan ATM. Want to be somewhere nice but a central location is important too.

3. I'm from Northern Ireland so will need to travel to the UK as I want to fly direct to Vegas- only planning on going for 4 nights and don't want to waste any time on stopovers.

4. A few of my friends (5 or 6) are wanting to travel to San Fran or LA for another 4 night afterwards- are they better to fly or drive down?

Thanks in advance!

1 - Generally, the best prices on flights are about 6-9 months beforehand. I've never had a problem getting even a last minute flight so I wouldn't be that concerned about booking the moment flights are available. But I'd probably just wait for a flight sale with whichever airline you choose to fly - perhaps the January flight sales would be a good time. I'd also agree with everyone who's said don't make a group booking. Particularly since some are continuing their trip elsewhere. It'll get messy, and you won't even save much - if anything - compared to waiting for sales and booking them individually.

2 - I'd recommend Cosmopolitan, Aria, Encore, in that order. Cosmo is actually my least favourite of the three, but the most suitable in terms of location and vibe that you'll want for a stag do. Aria and Encore are both quieter, with Encore not being centrally located. Sign up for their offers (on their website and following on Facebook) and book directly with the hotel. Generally they don't release offers until a few months in advance but you can book earlier using a refundable rate and rebook if you get a deal.

3 - I always fly direct now but it's not that much hassle to take an indirect flight. But I'd agree with the advice to look into flights from Dublin. Apart from potential cost savings, you will pre-clear immigration and customs at Dublin so you'll also save time arriving in the US.

4 - I'd personally fly but then I don't get the whole road trip thing. It's quite a nice easy drive though.


ETA: A question you didn't ask, but I'm going to say - if you haven't picked exact dates yet, do not go over the last weekend in May. That's a holiday weekend (Memorial Day) there and one of the most expensive weekends for hotels all year. Also make sure to check the convention calendars as large events can easily double the price of hotel rooms. There are a couple of large conferences that are normally in May (e.g. REcon) that would be good to avoid.

StuieUK34

Have any of you stayed at the Elara ??????


I got them to price match against Expressrooms.com which they have done, although price matched, the booking is done so its fully refundable if need be
Have paid £192 ($314) for 3 nights, Sunday May 25th (memorial wkend night)

Went for it as the pool looks good, nice location and the photos of the place look good!

StuieUK34

Woohooo !! sent a cheeky email to the resv manager at the Elara, now got an upgrade to the Junior suite !

ShAnE

Nicely done, how did you manage that Stuie?

CM66

Just booked tickets to see Elton John at Ceasers Palace, 7 weeks today!

StuieUK34

Heres my Elara episode


Went on Elara Facebook website.... Posted a message on there about there 'Best Rate Guarantee', as most people know its 50/50 if a hotel will honour it!... Included a few things like, your rate is $450 for 3 nights over Memorial Wkend, and mine is $350!


They post a reply within 2 minutes asking me to email them some details...... Keep in mind, you normally book first direct, then do a best rate form to them!
But I guess with social media, firms are quick to act


Used expressrooms.com for the rate (shows in USD and £), sent 2 screenshots with the full rate, which was actually $314.72 !
Also stated a couple of other UK brokers are doing there rates for a few dollars more, etc..

I got an email back from them saying someone will be in contact with me and will be honouring the rate I asked for! Had an email from the hotel asking to confirm the dates (original email comes from the marketing people for Hilton), and that was that, all went quiet for 6 days


So, just like I did with Mandalay Bay & Luxor last year, out comes the short but "to the point" email about there customer service, etc etc...... (sent to hotel and marketing dept)
3 Hours later, the reservations manager emails me to ask if I want to book 3 night for $314, and if so, he'll use my stored details from my HHonours account....


I replied with a nice short email, saying thank you, and "don't suppose were eligible for a complimentary upgrade to the junior suite, as its our wedding anniversary holiday, and it sure would add some magic to our trip "


Next email I get is the confirmation, showing fully refundable rate + 1 Junior Suite room !
I am well Happy with that!!!!
Don't ask, you don't get! They could have said no to my rate request, they defo could have said no to suite......
Lucky I guess just like last year! Our total hotel bill is £278 each for 2 weeks worth of hotels!

credit_crunch

Craig defo look at flying from Dublin.
We have done it twice, getting the bus to the airport from spruce field for £19 return.
Each time we booked through expedia & even with the extra flight from Dublin, it still worked out cheaper than the heathrow to Vegas flight if it was booked on its own.

pennylane99

StuieUK34 wrote: »

I replied with a nice short email, saying thank you, and "don't suppose were eligible for a complimentary upgrade to the junior suite, as its our wedding anniversary holiday, and it sure would add some magic to our trip "


Next email I get is the confirmation, showing fully refundable rate + 1 Junior Suite room !
I am well Happy with that!!!!
Don't ask, you don't get! They could have said no to my rate request, they defo could have said no to suite......
Lucky I guess just like last year! Our total hotel bill is £278 each for 2 weeks worth of hotels!

they are doing comp upgrades to Junior Suite at the moment

Book a Studio for a stay from now through December 31, 2014 and enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel-Center Strip

vanilla8

So I am back to Vegas on Saturday! Woop! Flying with Virgin in the bubble from Gatwick.

Myself and TH have used two rewards each from myvegas -
2x $75 @ Tender
2x $50 @ Monte Carlo

We both have over 150k points remaining, but can't make up our mind to use them. We felt last time we were restricted, so want to have a bit more freedom for choice for eating this time, as we also have $150 in TR credits from the social rewards programme.

We are staying at the Luxor so we were thinking about getting the monorail pass but we are not sure if we will use it that often! Decisions!

Starting to get excited now!