Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're traveling with a group of people or staying for longer than 5 nights, use
those facts as well when making your case. You could end up with a group dis-
count or a “long stay” rate.
I once found an $89 room rate at Expedia for Harrah's (this was several years
ago before the aggregators were up and running). So I went to the Harrah's site
and found a $59 rate. I then called the hotel directly and got the room for $39 a
night . . . and all I did was ask, with a smile in my voice.
(4) Join the club
You'll find complete information on the joys of slot clubs on p. 234, but just to
reiterate here: You want to join them. Even if you're not a high roller. You'll give
up some personal information, but then for the rest of your life, you'll receive
coupons and sale announcements in the mail from the casino you've joined,
allowing you to stay at the property you joined for half the regular rate (some-
times less). In the depths of January, it's not unheard-of for casinos to give away
free rooms to slot club members just to get those fannies into those slot-facing
seats. For first-timers to Vegas: Some hotels allow you to join the clubs before you
get to town, and they don't seem to distinguish between those who've actually
gambled in the casino and those who haven't; they send out those coupons to just
about anyone.
(5) Patronize a “dinosaur”
The older the hotel, the lower the room rate (usually). This is particularly true for
those hotels on “death row.” It takes a while to put into place the plans to implode
a hotel and just as long to draw up the design for the next megaresort that will
replace it. In that 9- to 18-month long goodbye period, prices will often hit rock
bottom at these goners. So, unfortunately, will service and upkeep, as long-term
employees scramble to find new jobs; but if price is the priority you can't beat this
method. To find out which hotels are slated for the axe, visit the
Casino Death
Watch site
(www.jetcafe.org/~npc/gambling/casino_death_watch.html).
(6) Gamble for freebies
I have left for last this final recommendation, as it's actually a rather dangerous
way to save on accommodations. But if you gamble enough or say you'll gamble
enough, you could end up in a “free” room. Problem is: That $79 room could cost
you $7900 in blackjack losses when all is said and done. Don't try to be cute
either, and talk your way into a freebie by promising to gamble more than you
will. Big Brother is alive and well in Vegas, and the casino will be watching you
and your wagers. Big talkers who don't put enough chips on the table or quarters
in the slots will be confronted by a full-price bill at check-out time. Though I've
read that some people have managed to get freebies at some of the higher priced
spots in town, your best bets for pursuing this option are the locals' casinos and
the small casino chains (such as the Coast and Station casinos).
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOTEL
Hopefully at this point, you have some idea whether you'd like to stay on the Strip
or off. But what about the differences between the properties in those areas? Are
they significant?
