Newbie Question

Hi,

I'm not sure where to post this. So please feel free to move this if this is not in the right location....

We are going to Vegas for our 2nd trip. Our first trip was a trip we won, where they sent us to Circus Circus (back in 2007). We are definitely wanting to be in the center strip area. On top of that, we are paying for our friends to come with us. So we will be purchasing 4 plane tickets and 2 rooms.

FYI: this trip will be around May of next year (2012)...so we wouldn't book this for a while. Would it be beneficial to go with a travel agent?

The best price I could come up for May/June online (via allegiantair.com), just to get an idea in how much it would cost....came to a total of about $2,300 at Paris for 7 nights/8 days package deal (flight + hotel). I know I can get cheaper at other hotels...but is that about the best I should expect for this long of a trip and 2 rooms without any comps? We live in Montana, and so the plane tickets aren't super cheap by themselves.

PS: These forums and this website have been tremendously helpful!

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Personally, I book air and hotel individually, thru the airline/hotel's websites. Granted that's partially because I'm usually using freq flier miles.

Weekend nights of course are more expensive than weekday nights. For some fun, snarky reviews of the hotels check out cheapovegas .com site.

Oh, with such a long lead time, you should find a good deal.

First try the online travel sites like Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc. next try the individual airline and hotel sites online. Cahnces are you'll find a better deal paying separately for each. It takes a little while to leanr to sue such sites, but you've got time.

You may also want to read some of the reviews posted by the Wizard and others on this site. There should be several for center-Strip hotels.

Personally I wouldn't go to a travel agent. He may have access to certain rates you don't, but chances are any savings will be taken up by his comission, fee or however he makes a living. Last time I used a travel agent was in 1990!

Quote: chrisroane

We are definitely wanting to be in the center strip area. On top of that, we are paying for our friends to come with us. So we will be purchasing 4 plane tickets and 2 rooms. FYI: this trip will be around May of next year (2012).

The best price I could come up for May/June online (via allegiantair.com), just to get an idea in how much it would cost....came to a total of about $2,300 at Paris for 7 nights/8 days package deal (flight + hotel). I know I can get cheaper at other hotels...but is that about the best I should expect for this long of a trip and 2 rooms without any comps? We live in Montana, and so the plane tickets aren't super cheap by themselves.

Just getting ideas for now is fine, but your trip is so far into the future that the hotel you pick may be boarded up by then.

If I understand you correctly, you got 4 RT airfares originating in Montana and 14 nights total at Paris in the month of May, with no comps, for $2300 out the door? Sounds like a cheap starting point to me.

Another great place to find cheap air fare is cheapoair.com Every time I have compared it to the other big names like expedia etc. it comes up with cheaper flights.

I've priced out all of the major travel sites (Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, etc...) and the problem I have with them is #1. They are more expensive than what I can get through allegiantair.com and #2. They are not non stop flights like allegiant air is to Vegas.

With that said, I do like not having to pay for all of the rooms up front and having the flexibility in changing hotels/rooms without cancellation fees.

Quote: chrisroane

With that said, I do like not having to pay for all of the rooms up front and having the flexibility in changing hotels/rooms without cancellation fees.

Most hotel websites will quote a fee for the full stay (often this does not include resort fees), but will charge you only one night in advance. The rest is payabl when you check out. If you cancel the reservation wiht enough lead time, usually over 24 hours, you get a refund on your card for the advance charge. No cancellation fees as far as I know.

It is your choice and I can not say that one way is necessarily right or wrong, but be advised.

Often a direct airline booking is about five or ten dollars cheaper than going through the big travel aggregator sites such as Orbitz or Travelocity.

Often a direct booking with the hotel has an advantage in that if you book thru the airline, then the casino has no way to ever comp your for your hotel room. IF you think your gambling will impress the hotel enough to have them pick up the room tab for you, then you have to have booked the hotel directly and not thru Travelocity or the like.

I'd aim a bit high in your hotel selection, you can always lower your aim for your next trip if want to.

Kayak will let you see trends in airline ticket prices.

Note: Read up on the various hotel rooms also. Decide what you value. Some people would give anything for a coffee maker in the room, some don't even drink the stuff. Some people want a view, some never open the drapes. Some people focus on size of the room other on features such as flatscreen tvs and large showers.

Remember: extra socks and shoes. You will be walking more than you think. Also remember to drink water when you are in Las Vegas. Do it before you start feeling thirsty. Its important to stay hydrated.

Quote: chrisroane

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Here is my $.02 on it all.

If you can get a travel agent to quote you a price free, let them quote it. The days of travel agents getting better airfare are over as airlines no longer pay them a comission, but you never know. You may not be able top book airfare earlier than 180 days out. Consider flight freequency as well as price. An airline that cancels your flight and miss a day is no bargain.

Book flight and hotel seperate. And look at sites like Hotels.com and the individual hotel site for price. Vegas is like no other city as far as hotel shopping goes. My advice is go for mostly location as you will not be in the room much and you should explore more than the resort you stay in. My choice for value is Flamingo-great location and reasonable price. How many other hotels have a monument to a mafia leader right on site?

But that is me, there are all kinds of values there.

Lastly my advice is taken from the State Dept--KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. IOW, you do not have to plan every minute, but make a list of most of what you want to hit and see. If you do not all morning you will discuss all you can do. By the time you decide half the day will be gone.

Like Fleastiff, I also suggest Kayak. Haven't booked anything through it in a while, but it's usually my first stop for checking airline prices.

Since you are going for a full week, you may want to consider a mid week to mid week trip, as it'll cost less.

Alos, check out Virtualtourist.com. They have a decent section on Vegas with lots of posts by regulars and locals too. I use that site for getting background info on all my vacation destinations.