Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2016

John259

bobbyhibs wrote: »

I doubt im confident enoguh driving over there im afraid!

Most people find that if they can drive in Britain, then driving in the USA is very easy and far less stressful, especially outside the big cities. It might seem daunting, but it really isn't a concern at all and well worthwhile.

Seldom_Seen_Kid

Cheers pebblesmax and martmonk for the Air Tanker information.
Great trip report StuieUK34, really enjoyed reading it.

Brats64

Someone a while back had a link to the latest refresh times for myvegas.

Anyone know the link ?......thanks.

Better try and get what's left before they all go.

Not even many 241's left bobbyhibs.

I feel like a vulture picking over the bones of a dead animal.:rotfl:

Seldom_Seen_Kid

secretmachines wrote: »

hi everyone for those who have been recently, how have you found asking for upgrades at check-in?

if we book for next year, i'm thinking of booking an entry level room somewhere (probably Vdara... again ) and then trying to get an upgrade at check-in. I did this a couple of years ago and got a better room for about $30/night.

i'd be happy to pay for the nightly increase, but of course only if the "$50 extra per night" they might quote is cheaper than selecting the upgraded room when booking, eg.

Basic room online = $100/night
Fancy room online = $175/night
Fancy room Check-in offer = $50/night extra
= $25/night saving

of course you run the risk of full occupancy/unavailability if you're banking on a better room...

We stay at MGM Signature, and for our November trip have paid for the better room / the one bedroom suite in advance. This is because we felt the difference in cost provided a benefit that was value for money.


However, the past 2 trips have seen massively different in price between the 2 rooms. Last year we were upgraded from a basic room for free, and this year - taken from my May trip report:


"MGM Signature (8 nights). Last 4 night were booked in a one bedroom suite – the layout of the room means that there is no one directly next to you. First 4 nights were booked in a standard room. We had many other hotels / offers booked for these night over the year, but decided to stay in 1 hotel. There was a $380 difference between a standard room and the one bedroom suite at the time of booking. Tried to upgrade on the phone a week before we set off, but was told they were fully booked (internet said the same). We did manage to upgrade at check in for $80 – a $300 saving compared to if we had paid when booking".

Winter_Jasmine

Brats64 wrote: »

Someone a while back had a link to the latest refresh times for myvegas.

Anyone know the link ?......thanks.

Better try and get what's left before they all go.

Not even many 241's left bobbyhibs.

I feel like a vulture picking over the bones of a dead animal.:rotfl:

Refresh times are now random unfortunately.

Also the rewards people can see seem to vary. I can see lots of bogo buffets, just bought the MB lunch one. For ages I couldn't see the 2 x Aria lunch buffet but that one reappeared a couple of weeks back.

Can anyone see the free brunch at Excalibur? I've got one but was hoping hubs could get one too but I can't see it anymore. (I know it's probably not great but as we're staying there for our first weekend thought it might be convenient for a quick brekkie)

secretmachines

Seldom_Seen_Kid wrote: »

We stay at MGM Signature, and for our November trip have paid for the better room / the one bedroom suite in advance. This is because we felt the difference in cost provided a benefit that was value for money.


However, the past 2 trips have seen massively different in price between the 2 rooms. Last year we were upgraded from a basic room for free, and this year - taken from my May trip report:


"MGM Signature (8 nights). Last 4 night were booked in a one bedroom suite – the layout of the room means that there is no one directly next to you. First 4 nights were booked in a standard room. We had many other hotels / offers booked for these night over the year, but decided to stay in 1 hotel. There was a $380 difference between a standard room and the one bedroom suite at the time of booking. Tried to upgrade on the phone a week before we set off, but was told they were fully booked (internet said the same). We did manage to upgrade at check in for $80 – a $300 saving compared to if we had paid when booking".

thanks SSK! i did a dummy booking for April next year, and the difference between entry level room and a couple of levels up is about $60/night. If the hotel offered us the same upgrade for $30/night at check-in, that'd be grand - saving $300 over 10 nights.

Hovis91

I can still see Bellagio breakfast/ lunch buffet and the Excalibur breakfast/lunch/dinner(didn't know what it meant though by the words not your parents buffet???!!!)Unless I am hallucinating someone please have a look at that reward and see that comment...what does it mean?!!
On a positive note,love the new fast passport machines at customs in Vegas.We were quite a bit back in the queue and a customs official was asking people if they had got an entry stamp in their passport and if they did they used these very fast machines and then straight to a separate booth to be quickly checked and stamped....we thought great gonna be out of here in no time.............yep...our cases were probably the very last off!!!

Brats64

Don't know what's going on with myvegas...but the Aria and Bellagio buffet 241's and 1xfree are now showing back on my iPad.....strange.

Seldom_Seen_Kid

secretmachines wrote: »

thanks SSK! i did a dummy booking for April next year, and the difference between entry level room and a couple of levels up is about $60/night. If the hotel offered us the same upgrade for $30/night at check-in, that'd be grand - saving $300 over 10 nights.

That would be a good saving, and a gamble I would take (assuming you would be fine with a basic room should nothing be available).

We keep looking at Vdara, but it is always just that little more expensive that MGM Sig. I can appreciate the new / designer element, but I am happy with the homely / lived in rooms at MGM Sig.

Seldom_Seen_Kid

bobbyhibs wrote: »

a bit of advice though when do people start booking things up? for us we got everything sorted dead early e.g around august last year for our trip in june 2016 so sorta unsure if doing things early is best or just after xmas any advice most welcomed here.

For me it is whenever we see a cheap flight. May trip this year was booked 1 year ago, we have just booked for November, but in the past have booked with about 1 month to go. We do not gamble and so do not get any comp room, but I better this could help deciding on costs etc.