Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2018

JoseChungsDoomsday wrote: »

Hey folks,
Just realised that Norwegian fly LGW to LAS. Anyone tried them? I know all the horror stories but curious to see if anyone has first hand experience with them?

What are the horror stories?

I know they stopped flying to LAS during the summer a couple of years ago because it was too hot. have they started summer flights again

Lee, that is a good rate for 9 days for all inclusive rental.

dan28 wrote: »

Resort fees for Fremont, Mainstreet, and Cal are live now. $14.99 + tax per night.

What's a resort fee??:D:D:rotfl:

How many in your party and is South or West Rim you are going? South Rim is a lot further so you may want a more comfortable car.

Some of the strip hotels have rental agencies which is probably more convenient but as you say choce may be limited. Check the the opening and closing times as you may have to pay for an extra day depending what time you want to leave for GC.

The downside of getting from the airport is that at least one of you has to go and get it and take it back so more inconvenient.

Unless you need the size of an SUV, a mid, standard or even compact would easily do the journey.

Running on from my reply to a post I thought I would do a rundown of using Lyft/Uber in Vegas.

First off you will need to have data allowance for your phone, or alternatively most hotels/casinos have free wifi and it usually runs out far enough to the pickup point where you are going to get your car. I have tested LAS free WIFI and it works out as far as the Rideshare area.

Through experience I only use Lyft, they are ALWAYS cheaper than Uber, how do I know? I have an app you can only get on the US app store that instantly compares both companies in real time when you put in your destination, and Lyft prices are fixed, where Uber has a range of a few dollars.

There are 3 main advantages to using Lyft/Uber. First they are always cheaper than the rip off cabs in Vegas (Lyft from LAS to mid strip will be less than $20 easy)
Second you don't need cash, the trip is paid for out of your storred card and you can leave a tip via the app as well when your journey is finished.
Third, the drivers are all really friendly, they have to be to get you to give them 5 star ratings. Usually your car will have at the very least free water bottles in the back and a selection of phone charging cables, lots also have a small selection of sweets and nibbles, and the top guys also have laminated boards with the prices of the strip clubs hung from the headrest!!

So before you leave Blighty you have downloaded the App, you have signed up and had your phone number verified, and added your payment method. (I use my LLoyds Avios Amex with no forex fees).

Vegas is well set out to accommodate "Rideshare" remember this word, you will see it everywhere to direct you where to go to pick up your ride.All major hotels have a designated pickup area with clear signage, you wont be able to miss it, look for all the people looking at their phones tracking their rides.
Youtube video of all the hotel pickup locations

You arrive at T3 in LAS fire up your App (using McCarron free wifi if you want) pick up your luggage, and head for the signs that say Rideshare, the pick up point at T3 is to leave the luggage area and head down to the far left of the terminal, take the last lift up to the parking garage, over the bridge, and then the lift DOWN to the Valet level. The area is right in front of you and well marked out as "Rideshare pickup".

DO NOT summon a lift before you get to the bridge, a car will be with you within 3-5 minutes and they only wait for you for about 2, so you might miss them and will have to pay a cancellation fee. You will see on the App how much it is going to cost you, so no worrying if you are going to get tunneled or driven around the airport, like we did once.

To give an idea of pricing, using Lyft from hotel to hotel anywhere along the strip seems to be a set fare of $7.47 whether its going from Bellagio to PlanetHo, or Bellagio to Palazzo, and with all the hotels bar Wynn and Venetian/Palazzo charging at least $10 for parking it's a no brainer IMO.

The one thing you have be aware of is if you have a lot of luggage. Rideshare basic cars can be as small as a Ford Focus or as large as an SUV, you have no way of telling until the driver accepts the trip, then you will be given the drivers name, type of car, colour and reg number. If you have lots of luggage ask for the next car category up, it will only be a couple of dollars extra