Book now or last minute? Las Vegas

ACG

Debating going around mid may/june time.

Ive not been away for 3-4 years and am now in a decent position so thinking about going Las Vegas around May/June. My intention is to book somewhere like the MGM/Bellagio or one of the big ones - may as well do it right as I doubt I will be going again.

Its not cheap and all in its probably going to be looking at around £1000-1200 each for the 2 of us. So im wondering if I leave the hotel and/or flight till the last minute if im likely to get it any cheaper.

Any ideas?
Im just thinking as im not tied to any particular dates or hotels at this stage then it might be worth waiting?

bagand96

Book the flights ASAP. They'll only increase in price.

Hotels you can bide your time. There's an enormous amount of hotel rooms in Vegas so rooms can be had very cheaply. Have a good read of the Las Vegas mega thread on this forum.

R_P_W

I usually find it cheaper to book flight and hotel together....keep an eye out on Expedia as they sometimes have special offers.

You say bellagio/MGM? These are vastly different hotels in my opinion.

Depending on what you are looking for I think there are better options.

Aria is very nice, but not very classic vegas. Caesars is more vegas but I would only stay in an augustus or octavious tower room.

N9eav

bagand96 wrote: »

Book the flights ASAP. They'll only increase in price.

.

Not necessarily.


Flights are largely dependant on competition, fuel prices and popularity of the route and times of year.


While it may be prudent to consider booking early for some peak periods, it can also be prudent to wait.


I am looking at Chicago in September. The flights are around £600. I know this is too expensive and they will come down, so booking early would be costly.


The secret is to consider the quieter times of the year. Avoid school holidays both here and in the USA.


Find the base price. Use a search engine such as Kayak, Expedia, ebookers. Find the price that seems to be as low as airlines might go. For example a good price for Chicago is £400. Search often and when the price meets you approval book.

Consider package deals. There are deals to Orlando for example in the quiet periods where the hotel and flight is less than £500 for 2 weeks!!!! Florida state just wants to get you there and spend money and help their economy in the quiet months...


Flying on a Tuesday or Thursday is often cheaper.

PeacefulWaters

You can book cancellable hotel rates now. Because you can cancel them later.

The answer on flights was to book last week. The main sales have just ended. Fares now seem to be a bit toppy. I think there'll be a window when they're cheaper before you travel. I doubt they'll go up much.

So I'd price up flights v hotel and flights together (ATOL protection comes into play with BA, Virgin an others). If the latter is very cheap then book it and never check back!

If not secure your hotel on a cancellable basis. We found the Mirage to very decent value last year but we're slumming it in the Flamingo this summer because it's dirt cheap for the time we're there and includes a breakfast.

Then check flights regularly on Skyscanner. Include starting in Dublin and Scandinavia (and other random European places) for a cheap business class seat the might only be a little more than the current UK economy fare. LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego are all alternative airports if you're seeking out a cheaper fare and prepared to drive for a day).

Good luck. And take a car into Death Valley for a day!

Oh, and don't leave it until the very last minute for flights.

richardw

Depends how fussy you are on the flights, if you aren't and don't mind any airline going one-stop via anywhere, then you may get a good price.

silvercar

You should have a read of the las Vegas thread on this board. Pleanty of good advice on there.

As for flight prices, if you see a price you are happy to pay (with an airline you are happy to fly with) then book it.

You should also look at avios/ virgin rewards if you could collect either. Also flying from outside the UK may reduce taxes.

vegasvisitor

Don't be too slow with hotels either, check your dates in case there's anything on. I've got flights booked for May, and hotels are rather pricey. I'm currently trying to sort hotels and have ended up taking a weekend at Westin Lake Las Vegas because the rates are so high due to Rock In Rio. That's the weekend of 15th/16th May.

Alan_Bowen

Direct Vegas flights from the UK are packed day in day out, they are usually more expensive than flights to LA or SF even though the distance is less. Indirect flighst will be cheaper,but how much more than 11 hours travelling are you prepared to deal with. As regards hotels, check the official Las Vegas Convention site and see whether there are any large conventions in town, if not you can wait, if there are, and they had 100,000 at last month's Electronics convention, you will pay over the odds for any accommodation. I once found no accommodation at all, trying to book when already in Los Angeles, luckily I changed my plans and discovered San Diego instead, returned annually for the last 20 plus years.

vegasvisitor

Any San Diego tips Alan? I'm currently looking for 3 nights in May, hopefully at a decent rate. Will be driving so doesn't have to be central and free parking would be a bonus. Gaslamp Quarter looks good, but I'm tempted not to bother being so central.

gracie10

I'd be interested in some San Diego tips to! We have 4 nights there as part of our 3 week trip in July.
We have booked Best Western Plus Island Palms on Shelter Island lesley74.