Tips on getting a hotel deal in Vegas?

[Maple Leafs]

I'm planning a Vegas trip, and I've had people tell me that only a sucker would just call and book a room -- that if you work them a bit, they'll kick in some goodies since they figure you'll throw that money right back to them on the slot machine or blackjack tables. Sounds good in theory, but how do I do it without looking like a fool?

Anyone have any tips on getting a good deal from Vegas hotels? Any ways to get them to upgrade you, kick in a meal or two, that sort of thing?

I know about getting comped by the casino once you're there and some of the tricks to seem like you're spending more than you are. I'm looking for tips I could use when booking a trip.

[digamma]

You probably need to talk to a casino host, rather than the front desk. You will have to give them an idea of how much you will gamble, what stakes, etc. The best they can probably do, with no past knowledge of you, is to give you the "player's rate" at the casino. Usually, $50 or so cheaper than the published rate. I'm betting someone on this board has a casino host to which they can refer you.

Sounds like you already know to get a frequent player's card and all that stuff once you are there.

[cthomer5000]

cheapovegas.com

[Maple Leafs]

I'm going down there to cash a sportsbook ticket... not a huge amount of money, but enough to pay for the trip. I've been told to call the hotel and tell them I'll just mail the ticket in unless they can make it worth my while to cash it in person (and then, of course, give it all back to them at the tables). Anyone ever had any luck with that?

[rlfreeze]

I always call the hotel first and ask for the slot hostess. Tell her when you will be there and ask what she can offer.

[Buzzbee]

You might ping or PM Vegas Vic. He is a local and might be able to offer some suggestions/advice/assistance.

[Chubby]

also, if you are flexible for when you go.

- go during the summer (it's stupid hot out but it's a lot cheaper)
- go during the week (hotel and airfare is cheaper)
- look for online specials (a lot of hotel/casinos have these, shop around if you aren't picky about staying in a particular hotel)

[Craptacular]

Originally Posted by Chubby

also, if you are flexible for when you go.

- go during the summer (it's stupid hot out but it's a lot cheaper)
- go during the week (hotel and airfare is cheaper)
- look for online specials (a lot of hotel/casinos have these, shop around if you aren't picky about staying in a particular hotel)

Bingo, bango, bongo.

I know a lot of the big resorts have web pages where you can look at a calendar with the prices listed for each day. It's a quick way to get an idea of prices at different times of the year. I spent a lot of time watching these while planning my honeymoon, and the prices do tend to change quite a bit. It may not seem to make sense at first, but you have to remember the influence of big conventions, etc. At least a couple of years ago, Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo seemed to have the best price for good accomodations. I think I payed $79/night at MB for Sun-Tues, and ended up with a "honeymoon suite".

Of course, if you're just looking for cheap cheap cheap, go off the strip or go downtown. You could probably stay at the Four Queens for $29.

edit: Oh yeah, it never hurts to call them, and ask for upgrades when you get there.

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by Buzzbee

You might ping or PM Vegas Vic. He is a local and might be able to offer some suggestions/advice/assistance.

Actually, I'm probably not much help in this area. I live about 15 miles away from the Strip, and I'm not really in tune with the various casino room rates.

There are quite a few posters on here that make frequent trips to Las Vegas, so hopefully they can provide some useful information.

[JonInMiddleGA]

While we're on the subject, if somebody has figured out good cheap airfare from the east coat to Vegas, I'd love to know the trick.

There was a time, 5-6 yrs ago, that Atlanta to Vegas was downright reasonable (say under $200 round trip). Past few years though, damn, the airfare was pushing $350-$400 & that's just unbearable for a guy who's price-point conscious like me. (I seem to have a finite amount something is worth to me & beyond that point I just can't enjoy it)

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

While we're on the subject, if somebody has figured out good cheap airfare from the east coat to Vegas, I'd love to know the trick.

There was a time, 5-6 yrs ago, that Atlanta to Vegas was downright reasonable (say under $200 round trip). Past few years though, damn, the airfare was pushing $350-$400 & that's just unbearable for a guy who's price-point conscious like me. (I seem to have a finite amount something is worth to me & beyond that point I just can't enjoy it)

book far in adavnce, more than 6 months at least. that will save you some coin. know a travel agent, works for me

that seems high to me, when i flew out of philly i paid i think $500 roundtrip tops and that was booked like a month before i went...

[daedalus]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

I know about getting comped by the casino once you're there and some of the tricks to seem like you're spending more than you are. I'm looking for tips I could use when booking a trip.

Hey, I don't know these. Is this something you can share and don't mind doing so?

I'd love to know about the other information as well.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by daedalus

Hey, I don't know these. Is this something you can share and don't mind doing so?

I'd love to know about the other information as well.

one being, up your bet when the pit boss comes around. you know how every once in a while they will watch the table for a second and then jot stuff on the cards. They're not JUST seeing who is still there, but how much you are betting, if they think you're betting more all the time you'll get more comps.

[Coffee Warlord]

When you planning the trip, out of curiosity? I'm gonna be headed that way myself in the not too distant future.

[Chubby]

Also, watch all those specials on E and the Travel channel on Vegas. Entertaining AND informative

[Raiders Army]

You can just go there, and they're offering timeshares. All you gotta do is take a little time out of your day (about 1 afternoon) and your stay is pretty much free.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

While we're on the subject, if somebody has figured out good cheap airfare from the east coat to Vegas, I'd love to know the trick.

There was a time, 5-6 yrs ago, that Atlanta to Vegas was downright reasonable (say under $200 round trip). Past few years though, damn, the airfare was pushing $350-$400 & that's just unbearable for a guy who's price-point conscious like me. (I seem to have a finite amount something is worth to me & beyond that point I just can't enjoy it)

Southwest from Birmingham, maybe?

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

When you planning the trip, out of curiosity? I'm gonna be headed that way myself in the not too distant future.

same here. when are you two planning for?

[Samdari]

Im going final four weekend.

[CleBrownsfan]

I'm going to Vegas July 11th through the 18th.

Can't wait to sit down to some low limit hold 'em games

[cthomer5000]

I'll be there at some point between June 7th and 20th... will be booking soon.

[Maple Leafs]

My trip timing will depend on pricing. Right now it looks like the first full week of April is a good one, so I'm aiming for that.

My basic idea was to call the hotel that runs the book I won money from and say something along the lines of "I'm going to mail in this ticket unless you can make it worth my while to come and cash it in person". The idea is that they don't want me to mail it because then I keep all the money, rather than betting it at their casino. I was hoping for an upgrade, a few free meals, or something like that.

But... from what I've been able to find out, the book I won from (New York New York) isn't great for this type of thing. So I may be out of luck. And to be honest, I'm not very good at the whole "haggle" thing... I usually find it's not worth the hassle.

Tips for getting comped at the tables/slots/etc starts with getting a player's card. Then, depending on what you're playing, you can try to max out your perceived value to the casino. For example, for card tables they're basically timing you, so if you can slow down the hands or even sit out a few every now and then (without being too obvious about it) you can seem like your betting more than you are.