Las Vegas Budget board???

[kaytieeldr]

When DH says they want to stay by "the action", I am hoping he means the gambling action only.

Yes, he does. Well, maybe that and free drinks (the most readily-available comp) and a good Sports Book.

How much do you have to gamble to be "comped everything"? Do you really mean they comp hotel rooms or food?

Some good reading: Comp City; Frugal Gambler; More Frugal Gambler.

Apart from watching the big conventions - when is the best time to go? We don't mind temps in the 80's but we plan to do a lot of sightseeing in the area so I'd prefer not to do it in 100 degree heat

I'm partial to the week before Christmas. Really, any week in December before New Year's Weekend, and not around the 8th to the 11th (National Rodeo).

I have been to vegas many many times. Here is some info that has not been covered.

Great for hotel deals (and mentioned earlier in this thread): www.fatwallet.com
Great for free stuff (also mentioned earlier in thread): www.cheapovegas.com
Where to stay for first trip: The central "hot" corner - Bellagio, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Bally's, Flamingo, Bill's Gambling Hall, Imperial Palace, Harrah's, Caesar's Palace, Mirage, Treasure Island, Venetian. Added advantage: Free shuttles from Bill's to Coast Casinos, free shuttles from Harrah's to Rio and Sam's Town.

Because the terrain is flat, distances are deceptive. From Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere looks close, but it's actually three miles.

Taxis are readily available BUT they cannot pick up on the street. Anyone wanting a taxi would need to go to a hotel entrance.

Half-price show tickets are available same-day at Tickets2Nite - original location in the Coke building across from the Monte Carlo and from some other place called Tix4Tonight but Tickets2Nite is the original and as far as I'm concerned, the better one ). Also sign up for e-mails from www.goldstar.com, for advance lower-price tickets. Note that there are generally NO discounts for the top-tier/headliner shows.

Crossing Las Vegas Blvd: Don't, whenever possible. The major intersections have escalators and elevated walkways over the road, for everyone's safety.

Back to taxis: Having the driver avoid the Strip is all well and good, but it's ALWAYS advisable to know what the alternate routes are (so you know whether you're being driven ten miles out of your way to up the fare).

Coupons: www. billhere.com

Excellent message board: www.everythinglv.com (if anybody's planning to be in Las Vegas in early July, they're having a slot tournament at the Hilton).

 

[AuroraAcerbis]

I think it's nice that people feel safe downtown, but having been born and raised in Las Vegas, if you love your DH please do not send him to the downtown areas . Please. It is completely unsafe, where prostitutes and the homeless abound.

The Harrah's properties are all pretty much what you'd be looking for - Harrah's, Caesar's Palace, the Flamingo, Ballys, the Paris - are all well-kept in good locations. As another poster mentioned, their Total Rewards program will throw out offers (and sometimes pretty good ones) if you sign up.

Also, yes, the Rio's buffets are the best ever.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Beg to differ. Any hotel encompassed by the Fremont Street Experience would be "safe", as would any hotel connected to one of these by an enclosed, elevated walkway.

And, honestly, homeless people generally do not make an area unsafe.

Also, Harrah's Total Rewards is, well, rewarding less as time goes on. Other properties might have better programs.

 

[Disneymike2005]

No matter how DH does his trip he'll have a blast.

I've taken both gambling only trips with the boys and couples trips wife DW.

There are many ways to do a gambling only trip. Too many to list here. Probably most important is what games does he play(blackjack. hold'em) and how much does he want to bet.

I never suggest basing any part of your trips on trying to get comps. Comps are based on how much you bet, and typically you have to bet alot to get a significant comp.

There are advantages to both staying on strip and off strip. It is cheaper to stay, gamble, and eat off strip. however, the awesomeness(Bawb word) of staying on strip is like walking into the Magic kingdom for the first time.

I stay off strip when on a gambling only trip and on strip with DW.

I believe I can give you some very good suggestions. I live in Peoria and grew up in western burbs.

If you PM me I believe I can give you my email address and I can get into a lot more detail.

I tried to PM you and email you but I do not have enough posts to do this, so sad.

I love Vegas and love giving Vegas advice.

DW and myself are going to WDW 6/20 - 6/27 and Vegas sometine in September.

BTW: Downtown is very safe!

 

[pearlieq]

Eh, I wouldn't stay downtown either.

It's not that it's exactly unsafe, and it's not totally seedy, but it's seedy and unsafe enough that I prefer to cab it down there one night, take in the experience, and then go back to my hotel on the strip. It's a matter of personal preference.

But, to each his own. I've heard a couple of hotel on Fremont street are actually pretty nice and that room rates are decent. They don't really have all the bells & whistles of a major strip casino, but many folks aren't looking for that.