A March Break Trip with no Wynn

I am once again all booked in for my annual March Break Las Vegas trip!

Air Canada and Westjet are again gouging for the decent flights out Pearson so I’m booked with Southwest out of Buffalo for the second year in a row. The direct flights from Westjet and Air Canada were 50% to 100% more expensive than flying out of Buffalo even after exchange.

The car is rented with Dollar Express. Prices were much cheaper this time around. I paid about $40/day last year and I’m back to $15/day this year.

The hotel is booked, but I’m a little sad in that it won’t be with the Wynn. March Break is the 11th to the 15th this year and the prices for the Wynn are insane Monday to Wednesday night – on the order of $400 per night. I usually get a deal for $139/night from them for that period. I looked and there doesn’t seem to be anything going on during that time at the Wynn. Maybe they’re doing a grand opening for their big lake or something. I believe I’ve stayed at the Wynn every year starting in 2009.

I’m booked with TI instead. I stayed there last year for Saturday night to avoid Wynn regular rates, and then moved to the Wynn for the rest of the week. TI prices are running $70-90 per night for my time this year. I guess I’ll save a little money, but I do enjoy the Wynn more.

I’ll bring the golf clubs along again given I’m flying Southwest and get a round of golf in. I got my round in at Bali Hai last year and it was nice, but I think I’ll try Arroyo Golf Club this time around. I like the idea of golfing with Red Rock being the background.

--helpmespock

That is the week of March Madness. I believe it is one of the most expensive weeks of the year in Las Vegas due to the high demand. So, yeah, table games, flights, and hotels will all be much higher. I actually go every year in March. But, I'll be there a week earlier for the conference tournaments. It is much cheaper and there are a lot more games to be on that week. Out of curiosity, what games do you play when you gamble? Or, do you not gamble and find other stuff to do there?

Quote: Wulfgar1224

That is the week of March Madness. I believe it is one of the most expensive weeks of the year in Las Vegas due to the high demand. So, yeah, table games, flights, and hotels will all be much higher. I actually go every year in March. But, I'll be there a week earlier for the conference tournaments. It is much cheaper and there are a lot more games to be on that week. Out of curiosity, what games do you play when you gamble? Or, do you not gamble and find other stuff to do there?

I believe our trip -- the 11th to the 15th -- is actually the dead zone after the NASCAR race, but just before the full NCAA tournament begins. We've been able to get an offer from the Wynn in the past for that period. They haven't always been prompt about providing the offer, but they eventually came through. I'll bet nothing will be forthcoming this year.

As far as gambling, my mainstays are craps, video poker, and blackjack. I've tended towards the lowest house edge games, but it's getting awfully hard to find low minimums these days. I enjoyed playing $3 craps at Casino Royale, but these days you're pretty much at $10 to have a sniff at x3-4-5 odds. My wife and I play the $0.50 9/6 JoB at TI, but finding any 9/6 on the strip is a real chore these days unless you're at $5 or more. For blackjack, I've only ever played 3:2. Again TI offers a $10 minimum on 6 decks with 3:2 and other decent rules. They offer a 2-deck game too, but cut out other rules to bring the house edge in line with the 6 deck game. I post trip reports in that section of the forum if you're interested in a blow-by-blow of one of our trips. 8-)

My wife and I mix in a good restaurant, a show, and sometimes a hike in Red Rock canyon or some other destination off-strip for non-gambling activities.

--helpmespock

2 days into the new school year and the teachers are already counting down days to MARCH BREAK !!!!

$15 a day for a car.......... you can't beat that

your choice of driving a few hours to Buffalo is the best idea for flights ....Canadian Airlines just do not compete with anybody.... I am lucky Metro Airport in Detroit is only 40 minutes including the time spent crossing the bridge into Detroit

$90 one side of the street compared to $400 across .... I think that's a simple choice to make ( well for 98.4% of the folks who go to Vegas )

BONUS is the Canadian PESO is gaining ground on the US greenback

all that saved money should buy some great meals

Quote: coilman

2 days into the new school year and the teachers are already counting down days to MARCH BREAK !!!!

My wife's the teacher. I'm in software development. I'll take any break I can get!

I don't know how the winter's been in the Windsor area, but the super cold snap broke here on Sunday so this may be one of those classic Canadian Winters that will be good to get away from.

Quote: coilman

$15 a day for a car.......... you can't beat that

your choice of driving a few hours to Buffalo is the best idea for flights ....Canadian Airlines just do not compete with anybody.... I am lucky Metro Airport in Detroit is only 40 minutes including the time spent crossing the bridge into Detroit

$90 one side of the street compared to $400 across .... I think that's a simple choice to make ( well for 98.4% of the folks who go to Vegas )

Yes the price for the car and the flight was very good this year. I wonder when Air Canada and WestJet are going to compete on price again with flying out of Buffalo.

Quote: coilman

BONUS is the Canadian PESO is gaining ground on the US greenback

all that saved money should buy some great meals

I'm kicking myself for not buying USD back in September, but I'll take anything at $1.25 CDN or lower for $1 USD. If the Bank of Canada has another rate hike this quarter it'll probably be good for the exchange.

--helpmespock

Our Vegas Spring Break starts March 25th. Yee Haw. Points/Voucher on SWA, cheapie redeye flights on a discounter back. Arrgghh.

Quote: JohnnyQ

Our Vegas Spring Break starts March 25th. Yee Haw. Points/Voucher on SWA, cheapie redeye flights on a discounter back. Arrgghh.

Nice. You've got a shot at high 70's or low 80's weather. We got lucky last year in that we got a few days in the mid-80's despite it being only the second week of March.

Ugh! Those redeye flights can save you money, but I'm always wiped for the next couple days afterward.

--helpmespock