I'm a HUGE fan of Las Vegas. It's a quick 3-hour flight from just about anywhere and you only need to be there for a weekend to understand and/or to experience its full potential. I've frequented Vegas about five times since turning 21 and along the way I've learned of a few must-do savings options. I've also found quite a few outfits with just the right amount of pizazz for the amount of money I'm willing to spend on a sexy-but-not-slutty dress, I'll share those secrets later. Tonight I'm going to open up my "Vegas Vault" and share the savings I've found along the way.
Travel Tips
1. Check Allegiant Air several months before you plan to hit the Strip. I got my tickets for $59.99 each way and even though Allegiant adds on a ton of bullshit taxes and fees, you still get a cheap ticket. Southwest Airlines is good too but they've gotten pricey since the economy started coming back.
2. Use an Airport Shuttle Service. Grayline's Airport Shuttle provides round-trip service to hotels on the Vegas Strip for only $12. You can use that extra $20 a taxi would have charged you towards something much better, like a drink!
3. Unless you're a Sleeping Beauty or a Prostitute, your hotel room accommodations shouldn't really matter much. If you party half as hard as my crew does, you won't be in your room for more than a cat-nap between dusk and dawn. I've never really cared if I'm staying at a 3-star or 5-star hotel as long as there is a clean bed and bathroom involved, and that perspective has helped my save HUNDREDS in hotel room costs. My top pick as of yet is the Hooters Hotel. Technically it's "off the strip" but its right across the street from the MGM Grand, right by the monorail, AND was $19/night when we stayed there a few summers ago. It was a nice hotel, good pool, good crowd, and of course, yummy wings! This upcoming trip we're staying at Casino Royale. It's smack-dab in the middle of the strip and we got an AMAZING deal of $79.99/night with my AAA card discount. The reviews look good and their $1 beers, $3 Margaritas, and $3 gambling tables make this deal even sweeter!
Nightlife Tips
4. If you plan to enjoy the nightlife, check out FreeVegasClubPasses.com for some good offers. The site offers "free entry/reduced entry" to every club for $1 per pass. I usually get my club passes 3-4 days after ordering them and they've always come in handy, especially for the guys trying to get in.
5. Dress to I-M-P-R-E-S-S. If you thought sports were competitive, you haven't seen Vegas. It's vicious waiting in those lines hoping a bouncer will see you looking HOT and let you in. Everyone is trying to one-up the next person to get into that dance heaven called The Club and don't be shocked if you see someone pull out a $20 or $50 to get in. Despite the free entry or reduced entry, Bouncers expect a little somethin'-somethin' to let you in and they are total douche bags about it, even to the ladies. Now, most of the time I haven't had trouble getting into the clubs, I just put my long legs out there and *boom* we're in! The only downer is I tend to roll with a lot of dudes, which is a no-no in Vegas Land. Prepare to wait, and have that $20 handy for the Bouncer should you need it.
6. Pack Flats. You will be walking, standing, dancing A LOT. No matter how comfy cozy your heels are, your feet will scream bloody-murder eventually. Pack some flats, and maybe a little bag you can keep your retired heels in so your hands aren't full for the rest of the night.
7. Pre-Funk. No matter who you are, drinks at nightclubs are expensive. If there's one thing I can't emphasize enough it's the beauty of a Pre-Funk. Alcohol can be purchased and consumed cheaply in your hotel or from one of the many mini-marts/CVS/Walgreens stores scattered along the strip and it will totally be worth it when you see the cost of a drink at the club. Boyfriend and I got two drinks at The Bank inside Bellagio and it was $36. Ouch. Lesson learned: Pre-Funk is KEY!
I'll share more tips as they arise but for now I'll be practicing walking in my new Vegas heels!
Travel Tips
1. Check Allegiant Air several months before you plan to hit the Strip. I got my tickets for $59.99 each way and even though Allegiant adds on a ton of bullshit taxes and fees, you still get a cheap ticket. Southwest Airlines is good too but they've gotten pricey since the economy started coming back.
2. Use an Airport Shuttle Service. Grayline's Airport Shuttle provides round-trip service to hotels on the Vegas Strip for only $12. You can use that extra $20 a taxi would have charged you towards something much better, like a drink!
3. Unless you're a Sleeping Beauty or a Prostitute, your hotel room accommodations shouldn't really matter much. If you party half as hard as my crew does, you won't be in your room for more than a cat-nap between dusk and dawn. I've never really cared if I'm staying at a 3-star or 5-star hotel as long as there is a clean bed and bathroom involved, and that perspective has helped my save HUNDREDS in hotel room costs. My top pick as of yet is the Hooters Hotel. Technically it's "off the strip" but its right across the street from the MGM Grand, right by the monorail, AND was $19/night when we stayed there a few summers ago. It was a nice hotel, good pool, good crowd, and of course, yummy wings! This upcoming trip we're staying at Casino Royale. It's smack-dab in the middle of the strip and we got an AMAZING deal of $79.99/night with my AAA card discount. The reviews look good and their $1 beers, $3 Margaritas, and $3 gambling tables make this deal even sweeter!
Nightlife Tips
4. If you plan to enjoy the nightlife, check out FreeVegasClubPasses.com for some good offers. The site offers "free entry/reduced entry" to every club for $1 per pass. I usually get my club passes 3-4 days after ordering them and they've always come in handy, especially for the guys trying to get in.
5. Dress to I-M-P-R-E-S-S. If you thought sports were competitive, you haven't seen Vegas. It's vicious waiting in those lines hoping a bouncer will see you looking HOT and let you in. Everyone is trying to one-up the next person to get into that dance heaven called The Club and don't be shocked if you see someone pull out a $20 or $50 to get in. Despite the free entry or reduced entry, Bouncers expect a little somethin'-somethin' to let you in and they are total douche bags about it, even to the ladies. Now, most of the time I haven't had trouble getting into the clubs, I just put my long legs out there and *boom* we're in! The only downer is I tend to roll with a lot of dudes, which is a no-no in Vegas Land. Prepare to wait, and have that $20 handy for the Bouncer should you need it.
6. Pack Flats. You will be walking, standing, dancing A LOT. No matter how comfy cozy your heels are, your feet will scream bloody-murder eventually. Pack some flats, and maybe a little bag you can keep your retired heels in so your hands aren't full for the rest of the night.
7. Pre-Funk. No matter who you are, drinks at nightclubs are expensive. If there's one thing I can't emphasize enough it's the beauty of a Pre-Funk. Alcohol can be purchased and consumed cheaply in your hotel or from one of the many mini-marts/CVS/Walgreens stores scattered along the strip and it will totally be worth it when you see the cost of a drink at the club. Boyfriend and I got two drinks at The Bank inside Bellagio and it was $36. Ouch. Lesson learned: Pre-Funk is KEY!
I'll share more tips as they arise but for now I'll be practicing walking in my new Vegas heels!
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