Las Vegas is an amazing vacation destination that has something for everybody: casinos, live shows, pools, buffets and much more. Whether you travel with family or friends, you will be able to have a great time. In order to get more bang out of your buck, here are 3 great tips to save money at Sin City.
Save Money by Staying at Older Hotels
While the bigger and more attractive hotels such as the MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan are in the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard (also known as “The Strip” by locals), there is no need for you to stay in these hotels to enjoy all of their amenities. You can trim the biggest expense of your budget, lodging, by staying at older hotels such as Circus Circus on 2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South and Riviera on 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Such older hotels have to provide deep discounts to attract clientele and often include free perks such as coupons for free meals at the hotel buffet restaurant and discounts at local attractions. All major casinos are within walking distance from each other or just a short ride on the monorail.
Save Money by Getting Comps at Casinos
Even though you won’t be staying at the major hotels, you will most likely spend a lot of time at their casinos. While being at the casino may not sound as a way to save money, it is…when done right. First, you need to contact the Players Club office at the casino that you are planning to spend most of your time at. Try to pick a program that doesn’t limit to just one casino such as the M Life Players Club, which will allow you to gain points at the ARIA, Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, New York New York, Luxor and Excalibur.
After receiving your Players Club card, it is important that you present it to the dealer every time that you sit at game table and insert the card every time that you play a slot machine. By accumulating points, you will qualify for free meals, accommodations and tickets (also known as “comps” at participating hotels from the rewards program. All casinos will offer comps to their players but they will not let them know about these comps unless they ask for them. Don’t be shy and ask for your rewards and remember to present your card at all locations that accept it.
Also, when playing long enough you will be able to receive free alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from waitresses walking by. Make sure to always tip them and they will take good care of you. Furthermore, by signing up for a rewards program you will be kept in the loop about special discounts throughout the year.
Save Money by Traveling Smart
If you decide to rent a car in Las Vegas, it is important that you make smart use of it. First, you can save gas by using the valet parking service from any hotel instead of driving around in the self-parking. All hotels, even the Bellagio, offer free valet parking to their guests. Second, keep in mind that when heading to a hotel to watch a live show, there is a good chance that both the self-park and the valet parking lot will be full. Save time and gas by parking at the nearest hotel instead. Third, you can save money when pumping gas by driving as far away from Las Vegas Boulevard as possible. The gas pumps at The Strip charge a premium.
Finally, avoid using your car whenever possible. Walk to nearby hotels and ride the monorail or bus. Only ride the local cabs when you’re heading to a place to which the driver receives a commission for bringing clients. That way you will be able to either get a free ride or negotiate a discounted rate.
(By Damian Davila, business and marketing blogger at http://idaconcpts.com. Follow him on Twitter at @idaconcpts.)
The advice to stay at an old hotel is great. I like to use Hotwire.com to pick an anonymous hotel with the right price… you just know the general area you’ll be in but if you’re on the strip, you win no matter what.
Another trick is to book a hotel for 2 even if you have a group of 7 staying. I called to book rooms for a bachelor party last year and the guy on the phone was like “call me back and tell me you have two people” so I did.
I saved $250 per night. We got a suite that slept all of us and didn’t have to pay for the extra 5 people to be there.
Those are great tips Matt, I do the same thing when I use hotels. Never tell them how many people are staying
As for old hotels, to be honest the hotels aren’t even that old. Many of them in Vegas are remodeled so you don’t get the feeling you’re staying in a garbage pit.
With the way the strip has gotten re-developed over the last 20 years, the MGM Grand (at 18 years old) is probably one of the older hotels there! Just something to think about. I went to Vegas in 2000 or thereabouts and I’m fairly certain I would barely recognize the place. The hotel we stayed at was torn down to put in that giant megaplex that they just opened over the past couple of years.
Yes, the MGM is old but is still a great place to stay! Last time I visited Vegas, I stayed at the Luxor. It was unbelievably cheap. It seems like the further down you are on the strip, the cheaper it gets! The walk back was brutal though. If I had to do it again, I’d take a cab haha.
really an exciting post on financial planning..
Glad you enjoyed the article!
These are good tips, although I like to mix it up and stay at a new casino each time so it’s hard to limit myself to just the older ones.
Another favorite tip of mine is the $20 tip trick. Whenever I check in I always hand the front desk a twenty when I check in. It’s so common out there that they immediately know you’re asking for an upgrade. Usually if they can’t help you they just hand it back. But if they can, many times that twenty will get you a room that would have cost hundreds extra. I try it every year (I”m a regular) and I’d say it’s worked about 75% of the time.
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Wow, I have NEVER heard of that tip! I’m actually headed to Vegas this September so I’ll have to try this. I sure hope I can get my $20 back if he can’t upgrade me haha.