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Las Vegas Tips and Tricks

May 19th, 2009

I am constantly asked about Las Vegas, the best things to see, where to stay, what to do, etc… So I’ve decided to write some tips and tricks, which I’ll add to as time goes on.

Where to stay (and how to book it)

Many people want to stay on the “strip” their first time in Vegas and for that I can’t blame them. While I’m not going to provide a review on each hotel, here is some advice for you:

• Any of the top, newer, or high-end casinos are your best bet for amenities and service, but it may cost you: Caesars, Venetian, Bellagio, Wynn, Palazzo, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo
• If you are more value-conscious but still want the strip, check out Treasure Island, New York New York, MGM Grand or Paris
• I wouldn’t bother with the following for your first time in Vegas: Flamingo, Sahara, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, Bally’s, Stratosphere.  Even though the price of the rooms may be tempting, for a few dollars more you can stay at a place that will be a better first experience.
• There is more to Las Vegas than the strip.  Only two city blocks away are the Palms and the Rio.  If you are under 75, you will at least want to check out the Palms on a Friday or Saturday night.  Red Rock Casino is a few miles away, but it is a high end place and worth at least a visit to.
• Book your hotel rooms directly through the hotel. Don’t buy a package through your airline or through a reseller like expedia or travelocity.  You will not always get the best deal this way.  The days of airline/hotel packages are over.  Then, periodically, recheck the rates online – they frequently drop.  Just call and rebook or cancel and rebook.  I have saved 50% from my original reservation by doing this.
• Never pre-pay for a hotel room unless you must stay there.  Some hotels like the Golden Nugget require this, but not most.  Again, rates change.  Pre-pay rates are sometimes non-refundable and have restrictions.
• You won’t spend that much time in your room, so keep that in mind when choosing how much to spend.
• Some hotels have Movie Theatres: The Palms, The Orleans, Red Rock, MGM Grand, South Point
• Others have Bowling Alleys: The Orleans, South Point and Red Rock
• Some have Kids Quest childcare onsite so parents can also enjoy adult activities on their own: The Palms, Red Rock, Sunset Station, and some other Station Casinos.  The Orleans has Kids Tyme, which is pretty much the same thing.
• Bring your kids’ vaccination records if you are going to bring them to Kids Quest or Kids Tyme

Getting Around

• Taxis are very expensive, especially if you want to see the sights.  It could cost you $15 each way.  It really adds up.
• If you take a taxi, beware of cabbies offering you “free” or “cheap” nightclub/stripclub passes.  Some are bogus or expired.  Don’t buy from cabbies.
• Taxi lines on weekends can be long and will waste your time.  It’s not as bad now with the bad economy, but it still gets busy.
• My advice is to rent a car through Thrifty.com – the cheapest and best in Vegas.  (When you select a vehicle, you will usually get one upgrade, so keep that in mind)  I pay about $14 per day through Thrifty.
• If renting a car, be sure to take your time and carefully check your car for scratches and dings before you leave the rental car garage.  If is dark in the garage and you may not notice a crack in the windshield or a scratch until later.  Unless you note it on the inspection report, you may be held responsible.  I’ve found plenty of window cracks, dings and missing car parts after the fact.  So far, I’m lucky, but now I take extra time to inspect.  I once drove a car out of the garage that had the paint “keyed” out without noticing it in the garage.  Only days later did I realize.
• All parking garages at the strip casinos are free.  All others are free too, with the exception of the Old Vegas/Fremont Street casinos.  If you get your parking ticket validated at the casino cage, it’s free.
• Valet parking rules.  For just the price of a $2 or $3 tip (when you pick the car up), it is worth it.  Don’t bother at the Palms since all parking is close, and the Venetian valet is a joke so don’t bother.
• Navigation in Las Vegas is EASY – don’t be discouraged.  Just do not drive on the strip if you want to get to your destination on time.  Use the I-15 or a parallel road such as Industrial Blvd.  Just pack your GPS in your suitcase.
• On the strip, you can use the Las Vegas monorail to casino hop.
• There is a trolley that goes up and down the strip for about $2.50 per passenger.  Just like the monorail, you have to pay and you may have to wait, but this is a good choice for the budget-conscious.  http://www.striptrolley.com
• There is a free monorail between Treasure Island and the Mirage
• There is another free monorail between Luxor, Excalibur and Mandalay Bay

Show Tickets

• You can get showtickets for a big discount at Tix4Tonight.  These shows are for the same evening.  Several top shows are frequently available, as well as many of the second tier shows.  You have to show up to see the tickets available.  They open at 10am.
• Exhibits like the Shark Reef, Titanic and Bodies can be bought at Tix4Tonight everyday for as much as 50% off.  Also, Cirque Du Soleil shows (Ka, Mystere, Zumanity, etc) are frequently on sale.  You can also save 50% on buffet dinners and other restaurants.
• If the line is long at the main Tix4Tonight window outside the Fashion Show Mall, go upstairs to the Food Court.  There is a lesser-known Tix4Tonight cashier there.

Nightclubs and Ultralounges

• Club tickets are given out for free about 30-45 minutes outside near the casino floor for many clubs.  Of course, you need to look good and ready to party.  Girls help.  Don’t be afraid to ask for some extra tickets for “some of your girlfriends“.  If you are with girls (of any age), have them frenzy around and search these guys out.  You will see them with a stack of business-card like passes.  Young dudes, early 20s.  I’ve seen them outside all of the major clubs and have received a dozen free passes myself, just by asking for more.  Remember, there are always more “girls” than guys when asking for more tickets.
• Drinks are expensive.  A little low-stakes gambling before going to any clubs will lessen the damage.  Plus there are many liquor stores near the strip.  Buy some and come back to the hotel.  If you get wine, don’t forget the corkscrew.
• Palms – 3 clubs for the price of one: Playboy Club, Moon and Ghostbar.
• Don’t pay to get on the “VIP” list for nightclubs.  The clubs open at 10pm, but things don’t really get going until at least 11.  Grab a drink and wait, or just come back at 11 or after.
• Most clubs and ultralounges have “metered” drinks.  A computer controls the amount of liquor that goes into your drink.  Tipping the bartender or barmaid extra will not result in more alcohol.
• Leave your Air Jordans and ripped jeans at the hotel.  In the day, you can look like a tourist with ripped jeans and a concert tshirt and go into any bar or lounge, no problem.  At night, you will be turned away.  Some sneakers, like dark sketchers are OK for men, but you’re better off with nice shoes.
• Watch your credit card at busy places.  Some places will take your credit card before you place your order and will keep it until you settle.  When it gets really busy, this can be a problem.  If there are shift changes, you’re asking for trouble.  A few times, I thought I would never see my credit card again after the waitress would disappear for 45 minutes at a time.  Pay with cash (small bills) if you can when it is busy.  Save the credit card for restaurants and ultralounges.

Gambling

• If you plan on gambling, try to keep it to the hotel you are staying at.  First, sign up for a free Players Club card.  Then use it whenever you gamble.
• If you casino-hop and you must gamble, try to at least restrict it to casino’s from the same company (Caesars, Rio, Harrahs, Bally’s, Paris, etc… are all part of Harrah’s.  MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, etc… are part of MGM Mirage).  You will maximize your comps this way.
• If you gamble enough, you may be able to get your room and/or dinner comped.  If you play for a long period of time (5-6 hours a pop) for a week, speak to the pit boss before you leave your last game.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for something, especially when you are winning!  I love to eat at the N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms for free or mostly free.
• 4-6 hours of decent gaming at a table may buy dinner at one of the mid-level restaurants.  Higher stakes or longer time will get you in the higher end restaurants.
• Don’t ask for free nightclub tickets from a pit boss.  This is not the way to get them.
• If you are going to use the ATM in Las Vegas, call your bank ahead of time to have them notate your account.  Although an ATM usually will dispense up to $500 per day, your account may be flagged for fraudulant activity and funds frozen until you contact your bank.  If this happens after hours, you’re stuck.  This has happened to me before.  It’s a good idea to keep reserve cash on hand, especially for Sundays.

Food

• There are lots of great places to eat just off the strip.  Many are cheaper.  Dinner on the strip is no longer cheap and there are no deals for the high-end restaurants.
• Don’t forget about 2-for-1 vouchers and discount dinner tickets at Tix4Tonight.  One of the high-end restaurants with a 50% off voucher that they offer is for Les Artistes Steakhouse in Paris.
• Many buffets offer discounts if you are a member of one of their “Players Clubs”.  Sign up and get a free card.

Booking Tours

• Tourism is big business in Las Vegas.  Shop around for the best deal, but buyer beware.  Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a tour reseller and the actual provider of the tour.  Resellers usually charge a fee and it costs more.  Always try to book direct if you can.
• If you purchase a tour through a reseller, try to compare the price against going to the tour company directly
• Some tours are worth it.  I highly recommend the helicopter scenic night flight over Las Vegas by Papillon.  It’s only about a 10 minute flight, but it is worth it and affordable.  (Helicopter is owned by Papillon).  I’ve used them several times.
• If you want to see the Grand Canyon, forget driving or a bus tour.  It is simply to far – about 2.5 to 5 hours each way (depending on where in the canyon you are going and traffic returning to Las Vegas).  Use Grand Canyon Airlines.  They have an affordable plane flight to the canyon.  Then you hop on a tour bus and have the ability to do your own thing for a while.  The flight alone to/From Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon is worth it alone.
• If you have a car, just drive to the Hoover Dam.  Not only is it cheaper, but you will be able to go at your own pace.  30-35 minute drive.  You can eat lunch in Boulder City, where the Dam is located.
• Search the internet for coupons and discounts before you leave so that you can print them out.  Once in a hotel room, you won’t have easy access to a printer.
• Do not pay for coupons online.  When you are in Vegas, you can get free coupon books all over – taxis, concierge desk, shops, etc… But when you look for one, you won’t be able to find them anywhere.

Las Vegas / McCarran Airport

• Wifi is free, so bring your laptop
• Don’t gamble at the slot machines at the airport.  They are the absolute worst odds.
• When leaving, the airport security line can be long.  Leave your hotel no later than 1.5 hours before your flight.
• If you rented a car, leave at least 2 hours before your flight, since you will need to board a shuttle bus.

Other Stuff

• You can get an “out of state” discount at Macy’s at the Fashion Show Mall.  I think it’s 17% off anything.  You will need to go to customer service and ask for this.
• Don’t pay for multiple ride tickets for the roller coaster at New York New York or rides at the Stratosphere.  After you ride, you have the choice of purchasing a “ride again” ticket for cheaper than you would pay in advance.  I don’t remember if they have this on Speed The Ride at the Sahara, but I bet you they do.

Also see:

Things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble
The Playboy Club – Las Vegas
The World’s Worst Valet
Ghostbar at the Palms