Vegas hotel/flight tips?
- Thread starter BUCSnotYUCKS
- Start date
If you're booking a standard room or a room without a view and you want an upgrade, try the old $20 trick. Put a folded up 20 bill between your ID and CC before you go up to the check-in desk. When they ask you for your card and ID put the $20 sandwich on the desk and ask if there is any way they can help you out with a complimentary upgrade. Timing is key here because if you ask them before they take notice of your "generosity" they may just say "no" without checking. You also want to do it in a way that the tip isn't obvious to the other check-in people or a manager. If they say the hotel is full and there are no rooms available to upgrade, then 99.9% of the time they will return you the $20, but if they don't just consider it your first gambling loss of the weekend, no big deal.
If you are trying to upgrade from a suite to, say, the penthouse, then using a $50 bill wouldn't hurt. I'd say this trick has worked for me about half the time, but mostly to spectacular results. It doesn't hurt to ask and when it does work, usually it's pretty sweet. Most of the time it depends on the weekend, their availability and the person who checks you in. Back in February, the weekend before the Super Bowl when things were pretty quiet, I was able to get a group of four of us upgraded from a standard suite at the PH Towers to a 2-bedroom suite that was fully loaded and they kept us at the rate of the original room, which was $350/night. Not bad for a room that normally costs $800-$1200 on a normal weekend.
If you are trying to upgrade from a suite to, say, the penthouse, then using a $50 bill wouldn't hurt. I'd say this trick has worked for me about half the time, but mostly to spectacular results. It doesn't hurt to ask and when it does work, usually it's pretty sweet. Most of the time it depends on the weekend, their availability and the person who checks you in. Back in February, the weekend before the Super Bowl when things were pretty quiet, I was able to get a group of four of us upgraded from a standard suite at the PH Towers to a 2-bedroom suite that was fully loaded and they kept us at the rate of the original room, which was $350/night. Not bad for a room that normally costs $800-$1200 on a normal weekend.
We're just looking for a normal room. Just not wanting to stay in a garbage hotel ya know. Wanna get the full experience. Staying as close to the middle of strip as possible, and cheapest hotel/flight package.
We're all in our low20s to mid 20s, so we're gonna want to party it up at night for sure!
We're all in our low20s to mid 20s, so we're gonna want to party it up at night for sure!
I agree with the suggestions re: Ballys and to stay away from the Exc.
If you truly want the middle of the strip for a cheap price, try the Imperial Palace. Others will come here and note the rooms are old and in need of a serious upgrade but, it's teh best location, it does have a decent casino and sportsbook and you won't find anything cheaper. For your group, probably perfect since you won't be in the room much anyway.
Ballys offers direct access to Paris and is close to everything too. You might be able to spend about $40 more per night and get the Mirage which would be worth it. The Monte Carlo will cost more to eat and drink plus it's not a convenient walk to the heart of the strip (when it's 110 degrees out). Flamingo has a good pool area and is also centrally located although there is alot of construction between Harrahs and Flamingo.
If you truly want the middle of the strip for a cheap price, try the Imperial Palace. Others will come here and note the rooms are old and in need of a serious upgrade but, it's teh best location, it does have a decent casino and sportsbook and you won't find anything cheaper. For your group, probably perfect since you won't be in the room much anyway.
Ballys offers direct access to Paris and is close to everything too. You might be able to spend about $40 more per night and get the Mirage which would be worth it. The Monte Carlo will cost more to eat and drink plus it's not a convenient walk to the heart of the strip (when it's 110 degrees out). Flamingo has a good pool area and is also centrally located although there is alot of construction between Harrahs and Flamingo.
don't know what it is, but my trips to vegas never seem complete until we hit the tables at IP one time for old times sake.
I read somewhere that they have the worst table odds on the strip. Although I do enjoy the Hash House so I've gambled there once or twice while waiting to be seated.
They have the same table odds as any Harrahs property (Harrahs changed their corporate name to Caesars).
I too have had many good memories at the IP. Among them:
1) honeymoon night I taught my wife to play craps and she made seven points winning us over $2,000.
2) always an abundance of available girls at the various bars (note...I should have listed this item before the honeymoon story)
3) they have a music pit which can be irritating but, they cater to college aged players so it is alot of fun
4) after heavy drinking, I used to play slots with my wife late into the night and the change ladies (when they had them) would hang out with us and tell us stories
5) some of the rooms have hot tubs in them and once a maid came in at exactly the wrong time
Anyway, for a group of 20 somethings on a budget, looking for a central location and a good time, check out the IP. Also, do it soon as they are in the process of renaming and rebranding the property.
I too have had many good memories at the IP. Among them:
1) honeymoon night I taught my wife to play craps and she made seven points winning us over $2,000.
2) always an abundance of available girls at the various bars (note...I should have listed this item before the honeymoon story)
3) they have a music pit which can be irritating but, they cater to college aged players so it is alot of fun
4) after heavy drinking, I used to play slots with my wife late into the night and the change ladies (when they had them) would hang out with us and tell us stories
5) some of the rooms have hot tubs in them and once a maid came in at exactly the wrong time
Anyway, for a group of 20 somethings on a budget, looking for a central location and a good time, check out the IP. Also, do it soon as they are in the process of renaming and rebranding the property.
Look at LV Convention schedule, then hammer for suites - very cheap. If you can't get suites for everyone, at least negotiate the best suite for yourself for booking your friends - it will work everytime! Don't be shy. I got the Trop top floor suite - full view west and north down the strip from the living room/full bar seating 8/two bedroom/two full bath/1/2 bath for $49 last summer.
IF something big isn't coming to town, you can negotiate anything, anywhere that time of year. Get on the phone, fuck the internet.
IF something big isn't coming to town, you can negotiate anything, anywhere that time of year. Get on the phone, fuck the internet.
Looks like we've decided on the RIO. The girl who's birthday we're celebrating's parents have a friend who's friends with the hotel concierge and are hooking us up with any room we want except the Masquerade Suite for only $35 per room, per night.
Now just trying to find the best flight deal, and all we will be worried after that is where to party it up!
Now just trying to find the best flight deal, and all we will be worried after that is where to party it up!
Bucs, I think the Rio is where we stayed and partied one night last time I was there. The rooftop place is called the Voodoo or something like that. Pretty cool because it's on top of the Rio. We had a vip area but to be honest it kind of sucked and we were out in the middle of things most of the time. The pool there is ok. Pretty good viewing but nothing crazy. I didn't sleep while I was there at the Rio from the time I got there Friday to the time I left Sunday so who knows the pool could have sucked but at that point I was thinking everything was fun.
You can walk to the Palms or the Gold Coast...just ask and many here can provide detail on either but, both offer some great amenities and value. Good VP odds at the Gold Coast as well as excellent, affordable restaurant options.
The Palms is geared to exactly your demographic so that is definitely worth the walk across the street. They have a movie theather if you need a gambling break.
Easy to get to the strip via the Harrahs shuttle...it looks walkable but, is not especailly during summer.
Have a great time.
The Palms is geared to exactly your demographic so that is definitely worth the walk across the street. They have a movie theather if you need a gambling break.
Easy to get to the strip via the Harrahs shuttle...it looks walkable but, is not especailly during summer.
Have a great time.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
I was reading about that place. The view looked amazing. Hopefully it's fun!
Im the type of person that when going on a vacation like this, I can make my own fun and navigate around on my own. I don't necessarily need to have a "plan". Just call me and we'll meet up if need be kind of guy lol
We're probably going to fly out of Columbus, seems it's cheaper. We can always fly out of Akron or Cleveland. I don't have a clue what Alligiant is though?
Music to my ears. I remember being told the Palms was across the street. The girls are all giddy because of that Jersey Shore dude being there. Me, I don't care LOL I'm there to roll the dice, play some poker, and live it up. I'll definitely be hitting up some ideas being thrown out here!! thanks!
Heading out at 830 am tomorrow morning, stoked! Staying at Imperial Palace. Paid $630 for 4 nights, non stop flight, round trip. It's a girls birthday party, so I just plan on going out and having a helluva time!
Haven't been on MJs in a few months, been a crazy last couple months. Anyways, anyone who's gonna be out there, hit me up!!!
Haven't been on MJs in a few months, been a crazy last couple months. Anyways, anyone who's gonna be out there, hit me up!!!
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