Vegas Trip Information for anyone looking to go this year.

[Simon Galloway]

Cosmo is in their Autograph collection.  In previous years they had a "money back +10% if you find cheaper" offer which meant you could book on the Marriott page (or the Cosmo page, can't remember which way round it was!) at a bad price and then point out the better price on the other site, get the better price matched and a further 10% off.

Whichever way you go about it, each person knows what facilities they will or won't use and therefore be able to compare like prices with like prices.

This is still an option btw and in fact is bringing back some terrific deals. The price promise is actually a price match +25% further reduction.

Normally if you do a 3rd party search for say 5* hotels, the results brought back on lowest price might look something like Palms Place --> Mirage ----> Signature --->Trump ---> Vdara ---> Aria followed by all the Wynn, V/P, Bellagio, Cosmo, Caesars prices.

And most of the time, it is a pretty fair list in reasonable order, although I'd never be paying more to stay at Caesars than any of the others.  So scrub out a couple, and choose your price point and personal location/amenities preferences and that's a good place to start.

However, sometimes the list throws up a property like Cosmo or Encore very near to best price, suggesting it is a pretty good deal.

When I have run the maths on the Autograph offer, the minimum you will get back is enough to wipe out the resort fees, (as well as matching a decent price) so worth considering

[Longines]

I posted a while back about the bargains that can be had if you start from Dublin - partially down to avoiding the ex-UK Air Passenger Duty and partially down to the market-driven pricing decisions of the airlines.

I'm flying to Seattle in March - the price from Heathrow was £820 return in World Traveller. I'm flying both ways in Club - and with the cost of the initial flight to Dublin included - it's costing £940 return.

I've been pricing Vegas flights out of interest:

LHR-LAS-LHR in early Jun returning 10 days later £950 in World Traveller. Can get it down to about £850 if you take indirect flights.

DUB-LHR-LAS-LHR-DUB and for the same direct flights in World Traveller it's €544 - that's about £415. Positioning flight to Dublin is going to be £80 tops.

If an extra 3 or 4 hours outbound is worth saving ~£500 it's something to think about.

[Marky147]

Top stuff, Grant.

Reminder that I did say to RACH I'd do one for this year, next door... Guess I should get started

[Ventura8]

This is an amazing top tip, flight prices early June have been just over 800 direct. I am now getting prices inc the hop from Stansted to Dublin, 7 nights at Treasure Island, bundled with BA for under£700 departing 3rd June. Is there anything to stop me ditching the final leg back to Dublin on the return? Wouldn't have any hold luggage so guess I just leave Heathrow and jump on the train home!

[hhyftrftdr]

This is an amazing top tip, flight prices early June have been just over 800 direct. I am now getting prices inc the hop from Stansted to Dublin, 7 nights at Treasure Island, bundled with BA for under£700 departing 3rd June. Is there anything to stop me ditching the final leg back to Dublin on the return? Wouldn't have any hold luggage so guess I just leave Heathrow and jump on the train home!

Yes just do this. Hand luggage means you can get off and go home from London.

Some of us have been beating the Dublin drum for a while, absolute no brainer depending on circumstances!

[Simon Galloway]

For all the long stayers in the summer, how much would you pay for an instant Diamond Card?

No resort fees
No lines (or diamond lines at least)
No taxi Q
Diamond Lounges for free f&b

I wasn't aware it could be done, but apparently it has been do-able in previous years, just waiting to hear if it is getting renewed for 2016

[Marky147]

No idea... £200?

[Simon Galloway]

It is more than that, but not much more tbf.

Even on a 14 night stay, 14 x30 RF = £300 territory.

[Tal]

For all the long stayers in the summer, how much would you pay for an instant Diamond Card?

No resort fees
No lines (or diamond lines at least)
No taxi Q
Diamond Lounges for free f&b

I wasn't aware it could be done, but apparently it has been do-able in previous years, just waiting to hear if it is getting renewed for 2016

This sounds interesting. Had no idea it existed.

Had access to the Sky Suite lounge in Aria a few years ago and very much liked it. Popping in for a croissant and cuppa for breakfast, then a cookie or two for a snack and even a beverage during poker sessions.

Over two weeks, that alone probably saved me $150

[Marky147]

I've got 10 nights booked at the Rio, so might snap one of those off, if it is something you can do.

Just had a look, and the RF there is $29 a night, which will be about $32 with tax.

I might not even take the room, but my mate would take it off me, as he'll be doing a stretch up there anyway.

[Simon Galloway]

I'll keep an eye on it, as yet Caesars haven't renewed with the program.  I don't know what the referral kickback is, if at all, but it seems there are referral codes out there that can get your membership fee waived, saving $95.  If that's the case, makes sense for one of us to do all the referring, I'll give you the details offline Mark if you are ready to book.  I'll thrash out the small print of the deal if/when Caesars confirm they are in.

Benefits:

Priority lines everywhere.  Check-in.  Restaurants.  Taxis. Valet. WSOP cashiers. Regular cage.  For things like Bacchanal, that could easily save you 2 hours per visit.  For lunchtime WSOP buyin, also going to save tonnes of grief.
Diamond Lounges.  Hot food, free bar, +guest. Highly variable food quality depending on hotel and time of day.  The days of the FT and Stars suites @ Rio are ofc long gone.  But making use of the diamond lounge while on property might be a good thing to do, no idea how overrun it gets.
Spa/Gym. Free access (small fee in Qua)
$100 dining credit.  Seems last year, most people got that, but there is some doubt as to whether you are technically entitled to it.
No resort fees.  On long stays, this covers the cost of the card.
2 free showtickets.  Doesn't say anything about it on the TR website, but diamond card holders seem to get them, no idea to what, but heard talk of it being monthly, so if your stay overlaps a calendar month, you might get 4 tickets.
TAG beer delivered to your table game at Linq.
Card match to other loyalty schemes, from time to time.

Feel free to add to the list if anyone knows of anything else, I expect the card to be $395 for a year, which would be a push for a 12 night stay in RF's alone.  Not having to stand in line is ofc a great benefit, value depends on how much value you put on your time. 

And whilst aiming at Diamond, you automatically get other benefits that you might use, Virgin give you Silver Flying Club for example, Hilton give you Gold status, BA 10% off, others besides.

[Marky147]

Looks very good, and if the gym has scooter access, I'll definitely stay at the Rio

Not quite a push, but I should be able to work my way through $80 worth of F&B in 10 days.

Once I know what I'm doing exactly, I'll give you a shout, and we can sort it all.

Super find!

[Simon Galloway]

Put Tony down for one.  Not only will he likely stay at the Rio, think how much he'd pay to fade the line at Starbucks each time.

[Marky147]

Put Tony down for one.  Not only will he likely stay at the Rio, think how much he'd pay to fade the line at Starbucks each time.

[ForthThistle]

Right Guys.

Going to Vegas in Late September with the Wife. Last time we went, we stayed at Ballys but we went with another couple and we booked both rooms on 1 booking. When I went to do the $20 Trick for an upgrade I was told by the Girl I can get an upgrade to a suite but no upgrade was available for the other Room. I had put $40 in my Passport. I never took it as it would have looked pretty douchy if I get a Suite and the other couple are in a Normal room.

Anyway. we are going ourselves this Year and the Wife is quite happy to go back to Bally's as the Location is perfect for pretty much everything we need. However would like to see if anyone has any recommendations between Harrah's/Bally's/Quad/PH/TI. (All roughly the Same Area)
Location is Key.
The Swimming Pool is crucial as well. (she Sunbathes I go play some Cash/Tourney's).
Price wise around £400-£500 for the 7 Nights.
We will be Flying out of Dublin to Vegas on 28th September and returning 05th October 2016.

All your help is greatly appreciated
David Blacklaw