Tips for Vegas?

[Seeme]

I'm planning a week trip to Vegas in September and I've always wanted to stay at the Bellagio. I have about 200k in UR reports, and will have 100k~ in Membership Points. Transferring the points to the World Of Hyatt program does not seem nearly as worthwhile as I would have expected. So, I'm thinking of just booking everything through the Ultimate Rewards program.

Would anyone go a different route? or have any other advice for traveling around Vegas?

 

[Josh000]

A week is a looong time in Vegas. There is a R*yal Caribb**n deal for Bellagio (& others) giving $200 resort credit for a stay of 2 or more nights. If you stay next door at Aria, this is stackable w/ the amex offer ($50 off $250). Rooms at Bellagio are a bit dated IMO. If the amex offer shows up multiple cards its possible to do seperate bookings for multiple dips then combine them at front desk. For dates w/ $100 rooms available, this nets to about $58 total per 2 night stay.

More info on the RC deal is in the FT forums.

 

[AlaskanTraveler]

Here is the actual link to the royal offer.

https://www.mlife.com/en/offers/royal-offer.html

Took a minute to find it. I always thought the MGM offered the most bank for the buck. I think it would be possible to make 2 different reservations to get double the resort credit then combine them when checking in allowing you to pay just once for the room total in order to take advantage of the amex $50 back on $250 offer. Note the offer only require that you put down a deposit. Also the offer require a two day minimum stay.

As for other tips, definitely check out a cirque show. Ka at the MGM and Mystere over at TI are my favorites. Might be able to score some discounted tickets with tickets4tonight or some other method. If you have status matched to MGM gold there is an offer in your mgm account that gives discounted Cirque tickets.

Food on the strip is really expensive and not necessarily that great. I used a groupon and got a good offer for an Italian place on the strip. Visit in-n-out, there is one right off the strip. Look for some food reviews for restaurants off of the strip. One of my favorite places to go is the Ellis Island brewery. Probably some of the best value in Micro beer, pizza, and bbq anywhere near the strip.

If you are into hiking and/or climbing. Red rocks is a 30 minute drive from the strip and it is beautiful with lots of great hiking options. I visited with my pregnant wife and we hiked every day for the 4 days we were in vegas.

If you have never been , the Grand Canyon is worth the drive if you have the time. The Hoover Dam is really interesting also.

 

[BuddyFunJet]

I liked the Shelby museum/factory not far from the strip. Also the Pinball hall of fame. All machines work and play.

Neon boneyard to see the old signs.

 

[Flanmann]

I'm a Vegas local.. here's the options I use: If you have Chase Hyatt, you can status match to mLife Gold (used to be platinum). Then you can book through mLife site. Also, if you have Citi Prestige, book before 7/23 so you can book 4 nights, with the 4th night being Saturday (always the most expensive). For any other additional nights, book through mLife site so you can get a discount, and then use the MGM Amex offer. Charge everything to your room and earn 25 mLife credits/$1 and Hyatt points too (be sure to attach Hyatt number at check-in). Also, if you have Amex platinum, you can use Amex fine hotels site and get a $100 property credit at Bellagio. Lots of good options.

 

[zceuxbhjutf]

Re the subject, before yer trip read Fear and Loathing.

 

[DavidNJ]

I'm thinking of cancelling my Cancun holiday over labor day and booking Vegas from 8/30/17 thru 9/4/17 (5 nights). Have 8/30 & 8/31 (2 nites) comped @ Caesars. 9/01 thru 9/04 (3 nites) I have a choice of Harrah's for $28 per night, Rio for $29 per night, LINQ $47 per, Flamingo $49 per, or Bally's $49. Anyone have suggestions which choice for the paid nites?

 

[AlaskanTraveler]

I'm thinking of cancelling my Cancun holiday over labor day and booking Vegas from 8/30/17 thru 9/4/17 (5 nights). Have 8/30 & 8/31 (2 nites) comped @ Caesars. 9/01 thru 9/04 (3 nites) I have a choice of Harrah's for $28 per night, Rio for $29 per night, LINQ $47 per, Flamingo $49 per, or Bally's $49. Anyone have suggestions which choice for the paid nites?

Harrah's is pretty dated, Rio is a ways off the strip, LINQ use to be the imperial palace and was a sh@t hole. I k

 

[El Ingeniero]

Can't go wrong with Capriotti's sandwich shop.

 

[AnyNameYouWish]

Highly recommend Le Reve, There is no bad seat in the place-if you need to, get the cheapest seats. We ate breakfast at the Egg & I. Great food and not ridiculous prices.

eta: We used points and a free night at the Holiday Inn just outside the South Rim entrance. Very happy with that. Not lux by any means but more than adequate, a filling breakfast, just don't expect wifi.

On the way out stop at the Snow Cap for kitschy route 66 fun and a snack. Also, on the way back in to Vegas, take a slightly longer way and see Keepers Of the Wild Animal Sanctuary enough. Pay for the guided tour, can't recommend them enough. You will feel a tiger growl, in your bones, from 10 feet away. Deeper and more powerful than any bass.

 

[Flanmann]

I'm thinking of cancelling my Cancun holiday over labor day and booking Vegas from 8/30/17 thru 9/4/17 (5 nights). Have 8/30 & 8/31 (2 nites) comped @ Caesars. 9/01 thru 9/04 (3 nites) I have a choice of Harrah's for $28 per night, Rio for $29 per night, LINQ $47 per, Flamingo $49 per, or Bally's $49. Anyone have suggestions which choice for the paid nites?

Harrah's is a good central location, just remember resort fees are on top of that.

 

[DavidNJ]

Harrah's is a good central location, just remember resort fees are on top of that.

Thanks for the info! I don't believe I pay resort fees as a diamond member.

 

[redbirdsj]

I'm thinking of cancelling my Cancun holiday over labor day and booking Vegas from 8/30/17 thru 9/4/17 (5 nights). Have 8/30 & 8/31 (2 nites) comped @ Caesars. 9/01 thru 9/04 (3 nites) I have a choice of Harrah's for $28 per night, Rio for $29 per night, LINQ $47 per, Flamingo $49 per, or Bally's $49. Anyone have suggestions which choice for the paid nites?

If you want to stay on strip, Bally's is the best option in my opinion. If it were me, I'd head off strip to the Rio after staying at Caesar's. If you just like to gamble and eat good food, there are plenty of options in the three casino cluster there (Palms, Rio, Gold Coast) without the crowds and other nonsense of the strip.

Someone mentioned Ellis Island upthread. It's on Koval behind Bally's. The casino itself is a dump, but it has great microbrews and solid value in their BBQ and sit-down restaurants!

 

[El Ingeniero]

There is a Vegas scam where all you can eat places put out good food, win some awards, then cut back on the quality while using the awards for marketing.

 

[JeffB]

Eat at the Peppermill. Breakfast is best but food is good anytime. Also don't forget to visit the bar/lounge.