Long term planning
I figured out how to pack, too. It's not that it's complicated, but that I never gave it any thought. The easy way would be to put clothes for 3-4 days in the carry-on, and make sure the makeup goes topmost in the suitcase. (I feel silly just mentioning this...)
I'm also thinking about renting a car for a few days. I figure perhaps the second and third, or third and fourth. All I'd do is drive to Hover Dam (I'm overdue for a return visit and there's the bridge now), and to a couple of local's casinos I've heard much about. What options are there to pick/drop a rental outside the airport? I figure after the three nigths on the strip I'll move to some nice palce Downtown, possibly the 4Q (she's still my favorite, though the GN is nicer).
More as it develops. All sugestions are welcome.
Quote: NareedI'm also thinking about renting a car for a few days. I figure perhaps the second and third, or third and fourth. All I'd do is drive to Hover Dam (I'm overdue for a return visit and there's the bridge now), and to a couple of local's casinos I've heard much about. What options are there to pick/drop a rental outside the airport?
I rented from Enterprise on my recent trip, and they have a facility in the Westin hotel on Flamingo (just a couple blocks off the strip). I picked up from the airport and dropped off there, and walked back to the Flamingo.
<sidebar>It worked out pretty well, except they overcharged me. I dropped off after hours (the Westin location closes at 2pm on Sundays) and left my keys with the hotel valet as is the practice. The perky gal from Enterprise left me a voicemail the next day confirming everything was ship shape and that they billed me about $50 more than what I was quoted. I called and somehow they charged me for the insurance which I always decline (and which was clearly shown on both copies of the contract). The customer service was actually quite good on the phone and they refunded the difference to my card. Just wish they hadn't done it in the first place; that is one of the risks you take dropping off a rental car after hours.</sidebar>
I think lots of other rental companies have facilities near the strip, but that's the only one of which I know specifically.
Quote: AcesAndEightsI rented from Enterprise on my recent trip, and they have a facility in the Westin hotel on Flamingo (just a couple blocks off the strip). I picked up from the airport and dropped off there, and walked back to the Flamingo.
Thanks!
My rental experience is just once with National in Orlando several years ago.
I can move about pretty well on the RTC system. I'd be ok dropping the car off anywhere on the Strip or Downtown. Still, as I'll likely end up Downtown for the rest of my stay, I'd love to drop it off there.
I'll just check rental car companies.
I should rent the car Downtown for such dates as will straddle the move. That way I can return it there at my leisure as well as use it to get my luggage to where I'll be staying longest. No need to find a company with pick-up/drop-off points at two locations.
I'm so prone to overlook the obvious sometimes.
Clothing is up to you and the fees the airlines charge. The least you lug the better.
MOST casinos do not want to comp longer stays because after about three days most people have gone thru their bankroll. Good luck, though.
Quote: FleaStiffMOST casinos do not want to comp longer stays because after about three days most people have gone thru their bankroll. Good luck, though.
Have you been following me around?
Strangely enough I have 5 suite nights at CET properties I can't even give away. Of course I only asked friends.Quote: djatcBest way is to buy hotel rooms from locals in Las Vegas. Even better is to chain a string of rooms at the same casino, therefore you only move within the building. Of course doing this at the Bellagio might be harder then Sam's Town.
Quote: FleaStiff
MOST casinos do not want to comp longer stays because after about three days most people have gone thru their bankroll. Good luck, though.
When I came here on vacation, I could gamble till I had to catch my flight, but most people don't have the determination (edit: addiction) to get back to even like I do so I can see how after the first night you schlep your bags in the room, head downstairs for some slots/table games, pass out and wake up the next day to maybe catch a show or see some sights, and go back to gambling. By the 3rd day you're either down a bit and want to get out, or just sick and tired of the grind of gambling.
I forgot I had to leave one day and went back to my room at 10am to recover to play some more deuces at the Palms, only to realize I had to check out that day lol.
Quote: NareedI can move about pretty well on the RTC system. I'd be ok dropping the car off anywhere on the Strip or Downtown. Still, as I'll likely end up Downtown for the rest of my stay, I'd love to drop it off there.
I'll just check rental car companies.
There's an Enterprise at The D - that's where I'm renting from on my trip next month. The only problem, if you can call it that, is, it's only open from 8 AM until I think 6 PM.
Quote: ThatDonGuyThere's an Enterprise at The D - that's where I'm renting from on my trip next month. The only problem, if you can call it that, is, it's only open from 8 AM until I think 6 PM.
Hertz charges $57 for you to pick up your car on the strip rather than the airport. It was an unpleasant surprise. Don't know about other companies.
Quote: ThatDonGuyThere's an Enterprise at The D - that's where I'm renting from on my trip next month. The only problem, if you can call it that, is, it's only open from 8 AM until I think 6 PM.
No problem at all. But it's useful to know the operating hours. Thanks. It's a lot easier to return a car when the office is open.
Next question is: should I pay extra for a GPS thingy? I have a tablet, but without WiFi the maps are pretty usless. My company-issued phone didn't work at all in Vegas.
If I take time to study a map beforehand, I can manage well enough later without it provided a minimum of useful signage. I suppose I could do that, too.
Quote: beachbumbabsHertz charges $57 for you to pick up your car on the strip rather than the airport. It was an unpleasant surprise. Don't know about other companies.
Wow, that's really crappy of them.
Quote: NareedNext question is: should I pay extra for a GPS thingy? I have a tablet, but without WiFi the maps are pretty usless. My company-issued phone didn't work at all in Vegas.
If I take time to study a map beforehand, I can manage well enough later without it provided a minimum of useful signage. I suppose I could do that, too.
Eh. I always turn down the GPS, but my fiance has a smartphone with Google maps, which gets the job done. Without that to fall back on, I would consider it.
Reading a map and planning a route ahead of time is becoming a lost skill among my generation (and especially younger). I reckon that if you have a good street map of Las Vegas and plan out your routes ahead of time, you'll probably be fine. Or even just use Google Maps on your tablet while in range of wifi to plan your route. Ooh! I just remembered this feature Google maps added a while back:
Offline map caching.
It looks like it might be seriously user-unfriendly in newer versions of Google Maps. But it's very useful and I've used it in Canada where I don't have data before. Basically, you ask GMaps to cache all of the data for a specific area while you have wifi. Then, when you are out of range, it has all of that data stored locally. The GPS locater itself doesn't use the data networks and should work no matter where you are. If this works, you could use your tablet as a GPS with a bit of planning ahead.
I don't know how, but i don't have any service on one of my tablets. I downloaded a free map app on it, somehow it knows where I'm at and works like a GPS, even if its not directly connected to WIfI.Quote: NareedNo problem at all. But it's useful to know the operating hours. Thanks. It's a lot easier to return a car when the office is open.
Next question is: should I pay extra for a GPS thingy? I have a tablet, but without WiFi the maps are pretty usless. My company-issued phone didn't work at all in Vegas.
If I take time to study a map beforehand, I can manage well enough later without it provided a minimum of useful signage. I suppose I could do that, too.
Quote: AcesAndEightsReading a map and planning a route ahead of time is becoming a lost skill among my generation (and especially younger).
I think my parents lost that skill first. "You need to make a right to get on the Strip." "That's Park Ave. And a map of New York."
Assuming you have a passable sense of direction, LV is actually really easy to navigate. Most places can be oriented in terms of location on the Las Vegas Boulevard, east/west on Flamingo/Tropicana, or Fremont. Getting TO the Strip from anywhere is easy enough, which serves as a good central landmark to start from (or return to, if you get lost). Sure, you might have to circle the block if you miss a turn (hate getting into the Cosmo...), but placing everything relative to those areas has served me well so far.
...I can actually get around LV more easily than where I live right now.
Quote: AxelWolfI don't know how, but i don't have any service on one of my tablets. I downloaded a free map app on it, somehow it knows where I'm at and works like a GPS, even if its not directly connected to WIfI.
GPS systems don't require a connection to the internet to determine your position on the globe, as they compute this information by communicating with at least 4 satellites. Now, taking that lat/long coordinate and making it into a useful piece of information (i.e. where the hell am I in this city?) requires additional data: namely, a map of the city you are in. Traditional GPS units (Garmin, etc.) come with this map data stored on the device, and if a city changes a street or something, you have to buy or acquire an updated map and download it to your device.
This is why your tablet works as a GPS even though you don't have service on it. The map data was downloaded to the device by the app you downloaded, and is stored locally on your tablet's hard disk. The GPS receiver talks to the GPS satellites and tells your device a latitude/longitude point, and the map application takes that point and tells you where you are based on that map data.
Well explained I thought I was something like this. I thought it was cool. So no need for a GPS then?Quote: AcesAndEightsGPS systems don't require a connection to the internet to determine your position on the globe, as they compute this information by communicating with at least 4 satellites. Now, taking that lat/long coordinate and making it into a useful piece of information (i.e. where the hell am I in this city?) requires additional data: namely, a map of the city you are in. Traditional GPS units (Garmin, etc.) come with this map data stored on the device, and if a city changes a street or something, you have to buy or acquire an updated map and download it to your device.
This is why your tablet works as a GPS even though you don't have service on it. The map data was downloaded to the device by the app you downloaded, and is stored locally on your tablet's hard disk. The GPS receiver talks to the GPS satellites and tells your device a latitude/longitude point, and the map application takes that point and tells you where you are based on that map data.
Quote: AxelWolfWell explained I thought I was something like this. I thought it was cool. So no need for a GPS then?
As long as you're happy with the map application, no need for a GPS. I would be surprised if a free app has good map data, but I guess Google Maps is free, after all.
These are all paid apps: Copilot wants $10 for US maps, Mireo is $25, and Sygic is $34. However, you should compare this to the $15+ a day that the rental car company wants for a GPS. All of the apps have free 7 day trials so you can test them before you buy.
Also, make sure you get a proper dashboard mount for your tablet.
Quote: ParadroidGoogle Maps requires a data connection for navigation - merely storing the maps offline will not help if there is no wifi when you sit in the car and want to go somewhere. However, there are dedicated GPS apps such as Copilot, Mireo Don't Panic or Sygic, which will allow you to download maps in advance and then use the tablet in your car without a data connection.
Thanks!! I'll definitely try them. I hope they work for Mexico, too, or can find one that does.
And thanks to AxelWolf and AcesAndEights for bringing the matter up, too.
About studying maps, that was one of my accidental discoveries.
See, back in 2006 I took my vacation in Orlando. I took the precaution of printing out maps for the route from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to various points (the major parks, the outlet mall, etc). I also spent some time studying the maps and amrking the turns. A good thing, too, because I forgot to pack them with the rest. So I was mapless in orlando, but I remembered enough to get rather close to the hotel that signs along the freeway and a quick stop at a gas station to ask for directions helped me find it.
Of course after taking a wrong turn ust out of the airport.
The one I found was free and works just fine it has tons of extras and nice features. It lets you plan trips, pinpoint locations, make detailed notes/ rename places and everything, I used it for scouting Vegas. Since I have full service on my Galaxy note phone. I sent the tablet to my mom and now I can't remember the name. I do remember the background was dark gray, street lines were bigger and easy to see and read and didn't have a ton of distracting garbage.Quote: ParadroidGoogle Maps requires a data connection for navigation - merely storing the maps offline will not help if there is no wifi when you sit in the car and want to go somewhere. However, there are dedicated GPS apps such as Copilot, Mireo Don't Panic or Sygic, which will allow you to download maps in advance and then use the tablet in your car without a data connection.
These are all paid apps: Copilot wants $10 for US maps, Mireo is $25, and Sygic is $34. However, you should compare this to the $15+ a day that the rental car company wants for a GPS. All of the apps have free 7 day trials so you can test them before you buy.
Also, make sure you get a proper dashboard mount for your tablet.
Quote: ParadroidGoogle Maps requires a data connection for navigation - merely storing the maps offline will not help if there is no wifi when you sit in the car and want to go somewhere.
Hmmm, the last time I used the offline caching it worked for navigation. But that was several years and versions of the Google Maps Android app ago, I'm sure.
Quote: AcesAndEightsHmmm, the last time I used the offline caching it worked for navigation. But that was several years and versions of the Google Maps Android app ago, I'm sure.
I'm guessing if you did the route calculation online and cached it with the map, then it would work offline. But perhaps trying to get a new route without an internet connection wouldn't work.
Can I get three successive free nights at one proeprty? Would I get to stay in the same room if this can be done?
And, do the discount rewards apply for one night or several?
Thanks in advance.
Quote: NareedGiven today's prices in LP in My vegas, and the likely LP I can acumulate from now until, say, March of next year, I think I could have enough for three nights at any MGM property which offers comped My Vegas rooms. The questiosn are:
Can I get three successive free nights at one proeprty? Would I get to stay in the same room if this can be done?
And, do the discount rewards apply for one night or several?
Thanks in advance.
Do the nicer MLife properties (Bellagio, Aria) take My Vegas points? Honestly I have never really stayed in a "nice" hotel in Vegas. Probably Paris is the nicest I've gone, and it's still pretty old. I would love to stay at Bellagio some day, even if for only 2 nights. I could afford rack rate (or whatever disappointing discount they'll give me with my MLife play), but I don't really want to :p.
I had disregarded MyVegas points because at a cursory glance, it looked like too much time investment to get paltry offers. I suppose I could try to hack it with javascript or something to play without me...
Quote: AcesAndEightsDo the nicer MLife properties (Bellagio, Aria) take My Vegas points? Honestly I have never really stayed in a "nice" hotel in Vegas. Probably Paris is the nicest I've gone, and it's still pretty old. I would love to stay at Bellagio some day, even if for only 2 nights. I could afford rack rate (or whatever disappointing discount they'll give me with my MLife play), but I don't really want to :p.
I had disregarded MyVegas points because at a cursory glance, it looked like too much time investment to get paltry offers. I suppose I could try to hack it with javascript or something to play without me...
Wow, just did some reading and found out that Paris Las Vegas was opened in 1999! I thought it was significantly older than that...
Quote: AcesAndEightsDo the nicer MLife properties (Bellagio, Aria) take My Vegas points?
Going by memory, for rooms I think it's only MGM, MB, Montecarlo and Aria.
I'll likely choose on the basis of first the lowest resort fee, and second location to whatever I want to do then.
Quote: NareedGoing by memory, for rooms I think it's only MGM, MB, Montecarlo and Aria.
I'll likely choose on the basis of first the lowest resort fee, and second location to whatever I want to do then.
It's all of mlife except Bellagio. I would avoid the cheapest properties because they always seem to charge the resort fee. The better places don't always seem to.
And Paris def seems older than 1999. That's partly due to the theme I'd hope.
Quote: AcesAndEightsI had disregarded MyVegas points because at a cursory glance, it looked like too much time investment to get paltry offers. I suppose I could try to hack it with javascript or something to play without me...
The time depends on what else you do. I typically go in when I'm browsing FB anyway and put the slots to play 100 spins. Of curse you have to play the bonus rounds, and that takes time. And when you're doing any of the specials, which are quite frequent, you cna get sick of it. If you play BJ, then you need to play every hand.
Quote: tringlomaneIt's all of mlife except Bellagio. I would avoid the cheapest properties because they always seem to charge the resort fee. The better places don't always seem to.
Ah, thanks for the tip.
Would the likelyhood of charging the fee have anything to do with play? I'd love to stay at Aria, but I wouldn't play there.
I've done very well on the Loose deuces at the Ditz, but it's only a nickel amchine. Over the last two trips, since I started playing it, I've hit hand pays (I can't call the prizes jackpots in good conscience) for $825 vs losses of about $150 or so (I don't keep records). That's up considerably, but I would like to get more action.
The best option, still within my budget, is the DB quarters machines at 4Q. However, the strategy is more complicated and that part of the casino gets too noisy due to the slots nearby.
Mission states in his review of the D there's a quarters NSUD upstairs. That's a lower return than the games I mention above, but still a reasonably good one, and the strategy for the game is much easier (for me, that is, as I've played DW more than any other game for years). And since I'm not an AP, I'm allowed to play whatever I want ;)
Any other suggestions? I saw a Loose Deuces at MSS, but I forgot to check the pay table in the Bible (aka Gambling 102) for a return. It does pay 2,500 coins for 4 deuces, though. A couple of good sessions there could pay for the whole airfare and hotel stay. Or I could take a whole grand and donate it to the Lion's Share, if it hasn't hit by sometime in the mid-Spring of 2015 (and if I've taken leave of my senses).
