Early stages of planning - are airfare/hotel packages to Vegas a ripoff?

[TrevorK]

I'm planning to go to Vegas, but all the people I'm going with need a bit of time to save up the money to go, so I'm doing my homework ahead of time.


I'll use November 20 - 24 as my time period (As it would obviously be booked in advance).

Flight costs Per Person:

Fare Summary
	
Passenger Type 	Adult
Flight 1 - Departing airfare (Tango Plus) 	136.99
Flight 2 - Returning airfare (Tango Plus) 	126.99
Navcan and Surcharges 	14.98
Taxes, Charges and Fees
Canada Airport Improvement Fee 	15.00
U.S.A Transportation Tax 	34.36
U.S.A Immigration User Fee 	8.53
U.S Passenger Facility Charge 	5.48
Canada Security Charge 	7.94
September 11 Security Fee 	3.05
Canada Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST #10009-2287) 	21.13
Number of Passengers 	1
Total 	374.45
Grand Total - Canadian Dollars 	
$ 374.45

Hotel costs @ Stratosphere are:

Regency Tower - Standard King NS
Sun. 20
$35.99
	
Mon.  21
$35.99
	
Tue.  22
$35.99
	
Wed.  23
$35.99

So 143.96 USD, which is ~$188 CAD (With a generous conversion of 1.3)

So if each person going wanted their own room it would be $562.75 - Plus any of the room taxes charged, which can't be much more than $50 I think - so let's say $610 per person.

Now, if we went as couple (Boyfriend/girlfriend and husband/wife) we'd only have one hotel room/couple to pay for - which brings it to ~$481/person.



Now I'm looking at current last minute deal sites, and the cheapest I can find for any hotel on the strip (Which happens to be Stratosphere) is $624 taxes in per person.

This would lead me to think that I should be booking in advance instead of waiting for last minute deals. What do you guys recommend? It seems like it'll be even cheaper to book in advance, since I'd obviously share a room with my GF.....

[Prankster]

We are heading to Vegas in Oct. for 4nights/5days.

We are paying $684 per person with 2 in a room at BAllys

[coopaloop]

You seem to have a pretty resonable price on the airfare.
I'm not sure I would stay at the Strat though. Pretty rough location at night.
Try signing up with all the hotels websites...they will constanly e-mail you special offers.

good-luck

[canadiantofu]

Have you tried www.flightcentre.ca? Price is about the same.

[coopaloop]

www.priceline.com

[TrevorK]

Do you guys typically go for an all in one package, or buy the hotel and flight seperately?

[coopaloop]

Book seperate if at all possible.

If you book thru a hotels website you can reschedule you reservation and rebook your room if the price were to drop..(this happens a-lot in Las Vegas)

Expedia,travelocity etc...charges you a penalty (fee)for this.

Also it is a lot easier to get a room upgrade if you book thru the Hotels website. ($20 trick)..at the front desk during check-in)

Normally if you book thru expedia,travelocity etc. You will get you the basic run of the mill room. (noisy rooms lower floors) near elavators,ice machines,etc..Or the rooms the hotel want's to get rid of first.

If you book thru the hotels website you will be sent special deals thru e-mail offers every few months for future visits.

Try this website....Lots of advice and help here
www.lasvegastalk.com

[Cas77]

I'm leaving in 12 days and I booked my flight and hotel seperately. Keep an eye on the flights as the prices fluctuate all the time. As soon as you see a good price jump on it. I missed the best deal in May and paid about $80 more than I could have. For hotel I just signed up on all the hotel's websites. They emailed me deals all the time and I took the best one.

For hotels you can book the best deal and if something better comes up you can cancel up to 24hrs in advance with no penalty. Personally I'd dish out a little more money not to stay at the Strat....it's kinda out of the way. You want to be where the action is!

[HighFlyer]

I'm picky about the airline and hotels, so I always book separately even if it sometimes costs a bit more.

[TrevorK]

Yeah - I wasn't going to stay at the Strat., I just used it as an example (As I saw a last minute deal on it). I'm thinking I should be staying more closer to mid-strip. I was thinking Aladdin, Circus Circus or Excalibur....thoughts?


As well, I see people mention "scary" a lot when referring to Vegas, especially when referring to places off the strip (Or at a far distance like the Strat.). What is it really like there that makes it like this? Is it really that dangerous to walk around in the middle of the night there?

[coopaloop]

Yes do stay mid-strip the Alladin's location can't be beat...I would reccomend the Monte Carlo over Circus Circus or the Excallibur though..

The Las Vegas Strip is one of the safest areas you will find in a big USA city...The strip is full of people walking around all hours of the day and night.


The area around the Stratoshere is a little scary at night. I would reccomend you stay south of Sahara Ave if you can


You will notice a big difference in the kind of people you will see north of the Sahara Ave

Take A CAB downtown and see the FSE light show.....again don't wander too far away from the canopy....There's lots of cops on Bikes around downtown.

I Love Vegas!!

Have fun and just use common sense and you'll be fine

[Pavel]

I wouldn't book separately. What you lose in flexibility you gain in security and savings. Tour operators have "buying power". That's something you or I don't have. So, the savings are past onto you. I personally don't feel "good" about priceline as I like to know what I am getting.

[mlc2000]

Pls note, Expedia and Travelocity all charge significant fees, up to $50/nt at hotels. They are a great resource for reviews, etc. but you should call the hoel direct to book rooms.

[gilboman]

I wouldn't book separately. What you lose in flexibility you gain in security and savings. Tour operators have "buying power". That's something you or I don't have. So, the savings are past onto you. I personally don't feel "good" about priceline as I like to know what I am getting.

what are you smoking?

all vegas guides and sites always say booking seperate is cheaper.

and tour operators dont have buying power in vegas... they simply are a middleman between you and the hotel and collect a commission that you can avoid by booking direct

what security are you talking about anyways?

hotels are ALWAYS cheaper to book directly from them b/c they always have specials and promotions.

only execption is booking the venetian for $99 on priceline.

[Pavel]

Smoking and too much sunshine...what can I say ?

What I am referring to is the package deals that you get which include airfare and accomodation. Correct me if I am wrong here, but when you buy from a tour operator you will usually save compared to buying the airfare and hotel separately. Any time I see hotel deals/prices in Vegas, I cost out the airfare and the hotel, add in the currency exchange. In the end, booking separately costs more. And yes, never book through Expedia, or Travelocity. They are only guides. The travel agency will always get you better prices then these two.

As far as security, I am referring to piece of mind. You get everything handled by your travel agent. The chances of "surprises" are greatly reduced.