There are countless ways to economize on your Vegas trips. A comprehensive article on the subject would be almost impossible but I will tell you a few of the things I do to find the best values. Vegas lovers are a curious lot; we will drop a hundred dollars in a slot without a moment’s hesitation, but we detest being overcharged for a cab ride or a meal.
So part of the “game” we might say, is to figure out how to get the absolute most for our money, thereby ensuring that we have enough funds left over to gamble with.
The best piece of advice I can give anyone is to prepare to devote a lot of time to comparing prices. I feel sorry for the people who traveled prior to the internet when all you could do was rely on what you hoped was an honest travel agent to get you the best deal. Now we have the world at our fingertips and can do our homework ourselves.
The first thing to consider is what time of year are you going to travel? August or early December are two of the cheapest times to visit Vegas. Hotel rooms are always cheaper from Sunday to Thursday so if you can schedule your trips to avoid the weekends, do so. Make sure that you are aware of your hotel’s policy regarding resort fees and holds on your credit card. You don’t want a nasty surprise at check out time.
Check to see that you have lots of small bills before you leave home. You will need these to tip and should you wish to tip three dollars instead of five, you had better have a supply of ones ready. If staying connected via the internet is important to you make sure to budget for the daily WIFI charges at your hotel. Do your research and you may be able to locate free WIFI near your hotel.
ATM fees inside the casinos can be $10 or more. To avoid those visit Casino Royale. It has the cheapest ATM on the Strip. The charge is only three dollars. The ATM is right next to the cashier’s cage. Downtown there are relatively cheap ATMs at Binion's and at the 4 Queens and various variety stores on Fremont. Some people will also make a purchase at Walgreen’s or CVS and ask for cash back, but the only time I tried that they would only give me $20 in cash back so that was not helpful.
My next concern is always where can I get a comped or cheap room. A comp is a perk you receive for having a prior gambling history with that hotel. I have been fortunate, and I have not had to pay for a room in many years, but previous to this I used to take advantage of websites that did a lot of the comparing for you. Then I would check those prices against the prices quoted when I called the hotel directly. Some hotels in Vegas will offer you what they call a “casino rate” if you have their Player Club card. The cheapest hotels are always off the Strip or downtown.
Remember to use your Players club cards whenever you play, and you will earn freebies and future offers. Before you check out, ask at the host’s office if anything can be taken off of your bill.
Once you have secured the best possible room price for your dates you need to start checking for decent airfare, hopefully without red-eyes (overnight flights) and four plane changes before you get to Vegas. Some people check airfare before rooms, and some do the reverse. Whatever you do there may be some juggling involved to get things set just the way you want them. Sign up for email alerts from your favorites airlines and watch for sales.
Now that you have a flight and a hotel (or many hotels as you may have to change locations to follow your “comps” ) the next question is what will you do while you are in town?
I always purchase a coupon book from the Las Vegas Advisor Membership. Taking advantage of just a few of these coupons will more than pay for the book itself. The coupons can save you money in many ways; dining, gambling, attractions, shows, etc. A fun and frugal way to spend your time is to go on a “coupon run” where you run around town using as many gambling coupons as possible.
There are also free coupon books in magazines, in the back of cabs, and in stands near the check in desks of hotels. These free books aren’t as useful as the ones you pay for, but they can save you a few dollars too.
Be sure to study sites like Groupon and Living Social for deals on food, activities, and shows.
Another way of getting cheaper show tickets is by visiting a Vegas company called Tix4Tonight (Now called Tix4Vegas) that offers many popular shows at heavily discounted rates. There used to be many locations on the Strip and downtown. Currently there are only three open (BALLY’S GRAND BAZAAR SHOPS, SHOWCASE MALL and CASINO ROYALE) and more will be reopening soon. The drawback to Tix4Vegas is that you have to stand in a long, hot line up to purchase your tickets on the day of the show. To avoid that situation you can purchase tickets beforehand through websites like Goldstar, SmarterVegas and others like them.
Another money saving technique is to play the Facebook games like MyVegas and Wynn Slots. Many freebies can be acquired just by playing these games.
Be sure to consult a list of Free Things to do in Las Vegas in Vegas as going to see these sights is both economical and enjoyable. Two other free pastimes are lounging by the pool or wandering the Strip while people watching.
Getting around the city cheaply can be a challenge. You can watch for good car rental prices if you drive, but if you don’t or wish to have a few cocktails you may want to consider other options. There is the monorail, but it is a fairly long walk to get to it from some hotels. You can always take a cab although they aren’t always the cheapest way to go. The addition of Lyft and Uber ride-sharing to the Vegas transportation scene has given us more ways to get around for less. Their fares are often cheaper than regular cabs, but watch out for surge pricing. You can check how much your trip will be before you consent to it. If Uber is "surging" check Lyft or wait ten minutes and check again. There is always the RTC transit system, and if all else fails…walk.
I find that economizing on meals is one of the easier things for me to accomplish. I frequently have a small breakfast in my hotel room; a protein bar from home or some fruit I purchased once I hit town. I often stay downtown, and there are many places there to get a good meal for a reasonable price. Often if you have had a big meal at lunch you won’t want an evening meal, sometimes just a few nuts you purchased at Walgreen’s will be enough. Many of the major hotels on the Strip have food courts for value-priced meals. Take a pass on expensive sodas and juices…drink tap water instead. Research Vegas Happy Hours. They are a great way to try a new restaurant for a smaller price tag. Look for 'fixed price' meals where you can get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for one low price.
One of the things we all love about Vegas is the ability to get a cocktail while we are playing for the price of a tip. Make sure that you tip a dollar or more if you ever expect to see that cocktail waitress again. If you would like to enjoy a cocktail in your room before you go out for the evening you can purchase a bottle almost anywhere; ABC stores, CVS, Walgreen’s, souvenir shops, etc.
It is possible to gamble in a frugal manner if you want to bad enough. Divide your money into days and DON’T dip into the next day’s allotment. Force yourself to play nickel video poker, instead of quarters. You don’t have to hit those buttons at the speed of light, play more slowly. Play for a half hour, then get up and take a walk to the next casino and play there, and so on. Anything you can do to slow down your play will save money.
Another inexpensive time filler is to meet up with Vegas friends that you have met on Vegas Forums and Facebook groups for a cocktail at an economical bar. You could always check out the latest movie. I know that is something we normally do at home, but no law says you can’t enjoy one in Vegas. Another idea is to grab your camera and wander Vegas taking artistic pictures. Vegas changes so quickly that the hotel you always wanted to get some pictures of might be gone before your next trip.
Since the hotels and casinos in Las Vegas are always finding new ways to separate us from our money it becomes increasingly important to use some of these methods to keep from going broke. Happy budgeting!
[Images: Michael M]
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