Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2018

gamboller

I seem to remember the last time I redeemed this myVegas reward of free slot credit that you have to put some real money in beforehand. Can anyone advise on maximising its value? Do you have to play through min of $50 of credits prior to any withdrawal.

jonesMUFCforever

gamboller wrote: »

I seem to remember the last time I redeemed this myVegas reward of free slot credit that you have to put some real money in beforehand. Can anyone advise on maximising its value? Do you have to play through min of $50 of credits prior to any withdrawal.

$1 dollar bill is all you need to 'activate' the freeplay.
I will print off $50 ticket before I go.
You can cash out any winnings at any time (no having to play x times like online casinos to get real cash).

gamboller

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

$1 dollar bill is all you need to 'activate' the freeplay.
I will print off $50 ticket before I go.
You can cash out any winnings at any time (no having to play x times like online casinos to get real cash).

Thanks that's brilliant. I'll probably play my reward and cash the OH's one. It's hard to spend the LP's on myVegas now. Have bought about 7 per account and I'd say we'll probably only use 2 of the permitted 3 each

stevie11

I do not normally write trip reports as there are many excellent detailed reports within the Vegas threads on MSE, anyway I thought I would give a quick review of a solo trip I did at relatively short notice and how one can get by without breaking the bank.

After numerous visits to Vegas I consider myself familiar with the place. I returned with Mrs Stevie from a trip in December and had a great time staying at the Mirage, Aria and Vdara, we did the usual shows and restuarants, bars etc. So an opportunity arose where I had some frequent flyer miles to burn so booked a five night trip leaving Manchester on 14 Jan. Of course the cost of the flight and the fact January is a slack period in Vegas was a factor in deciding to go. I gamble very little when in Vegas and am usually careful on the amount of alcohol I consume. I am not including gift and personal purchases etc as they went on credit card and were not essential.

So I booked the flight £155 with miles, Man-Lhr-Lax-Las and the reverse on the return, It was planned this way so I could maximise my time to wine and dine at the finest (oneworld) lounges Heathrow and LA has to offer and I wasn't disappointed. Cathay Pacific First in London and Qantas First lounge at LA, all complimentary with FF status so my airport refreshment spending was zero for the duration.

Hotel wise, I wamted a cheap place for the first and last night so booked the Mardi Gras Inn on Paradise for £20 a night on hotels.com (plus $5 resort fee). The Mardi Gras also included complementary airport and strip shuttle. Nights 2, 3 and 4 I wanted something more comfortable and central to the strip and having recently enjoyed the Mirage I found another good deal via Smartervegas which then linked to Mlife, $51 a night plus $40 resort fee, the booking included a bonus of $120 resort credit, good in any Mirage restaurant.

Everything went smoothly with the flights and check in at the Mardi Gras then the Mirage. I was feeling a little under the weather on day 2, maybe the travel or the champagne overdose from the lounge bars;) so after check in at the mirage I went for a walk up and down the strip. Still not feeling great I went back to my room and that was it flaked out for the night so no evening meal.

Day 3 feeling better for the sleep I had breakfast at the Cravings buffet, wine and beer included in the cost if that is your thing at 9am in the morning. I would much rather have a good hearty breakfast then a lighter evening meal usually. Out onto the strip, in and out of hotels and shops people watching etc. Return to the hotel had a session in the gym, freshen up then made the 5 cent beer happy hour at the Flamingo hotel bar, yes 5 cents:D. So a dollar spent 4 beers later, maybe that wasn't a great idea after being ill the day before, an early night ensued again with out an evening meal. At least when you travel solo you don't have to please others.

Day 4, after breakfast I purchased a 24 hour bus pass and went to the South outlet mall. Following dinner buffet at the Mirage I took the bus to Fremont St, I much prefer the vibe there than on the strip.

Day 5 breakfast buffet then check out. I managed to get the resort fees comp'd due to a plumbing issue in the bathroom, plus was given a credit note for a buffet for 2 on a future visit to the Mirage. Having time to kill before moving to Mardi Gras I leisurely walked up and down the strip , fashion show, miracle mile shops etc. Had a couple hours relaxing round the Mirage pool. Checked in at the Mardi Gras early evening, a quick freshen up then back to the strip to my favourite bar. The Stage Door bar, not everyone's cup of tea but great craic in there and it is cheap ($3 for a beer and hot dog). So three hours later 3 beers, 2 hot dogs and a round of drinks for 3 plus a $4 tip for the barmaid total $16.

Day 6 check out, shuttle return to the airport. Everything went smoothly again with flights, transfers and visits to the lounges at LA and Heathrow. less champagne this time;)

I was in a fortunate position to get the flight cheaply and airport refreshments complimentary and the hotel resort fees were comp'd but travelling to Vegas can be done on a budget if you don't want to be in top hotels, do the shows, go on excursions or eat and drink at expensive bars and restaurants. Going at a non-busy period also helped to get good hotel deals. Avoiding a Fri or Sat night also helped to keep costs down. You can get flights for £300+ at certain times of the year.

Total spent £155 flight, £170 five nights hotel and cash spends on tips, drinks, food and transport etc about $65 (£50). Total £375.

Not an action packed trip but apart from being ill for the first day or so I had a good time chilling out.:)

littlereddevil

What is the weather like December/January?

stevie11

Last week daytime temperatures were mid 60s, probably a little warmer when I visited in mid December. For me the weather was very pleasant, even to be able to swim and sunbathe in December during early to mid afternoon. I wore shorts/t-shirt most days on both of my recent trips but at night time definitely need to wrap up more.

Note, many hotel pools are closed in the winter months so worth checking hotel details if you want one with an open pool.

photome

gamboller wrote: »

Thanks that's brilliant. I'll probably play my reward and cash the OH's one. It's hard to spend the LP's on myVegas now. Have bought about 7 per account and I'd say we'll probably only use 2 of the permitted 3 each

Just in case you or I have misunderstood.

You do have to play the whole value of the free play through once

jonesMUFCforever

gamboller wrote: »

Thanks that's brilliant. I'll probably play my reward and cash the OH's one. It's hard to spend the LP's on myVegas now. Have bought about 7 per account and I'd say we'll probably only use 2 of the permitted 3 each

Sorry if you misunderstood me - you can't 'cash' the freeplay - you have to play it - only once though - if you are up after the freeplay has run out you can cash it then.

gt568

Dudes....

Just looking at flights from London for the 30/9-5/10.... If I fly on my chosen date the flights are treble the cost if I go a day earlier on the saturday, why is there suck a difference between flying on a saturday and a sunday?

stevie11

gt568 wrote: »

Dudes....

Just looking at flights from London for the 30/9-5/10.... If I fly on my chosen date the flights are treble the cost if I go a day earlier on the saturday, why is there suck a difference between flying on a saturday and a sunday?

That is normally the case for Transatlantic flights, best to include a Sat night to keep costs down. Although your accommodation will be higher for a Saturday night.

LGW - Las on West Jet on your dates in the mid-high £500s. Going on Saturday a little cheaper. If you can go from Dublin prices start in mid £300s on your dates.