Having trouble deciding

Changed my trip to Vegas to get me there a day earlier, June 7th instead of the 8th.

Currently there are two non-stop flights out of CMH, one at 740am and one at 515pm. I had changed my reservation from the 515pm to the 740am but I just am debating on the idea of getting there that early on a Sunday morning, when odds are I won't be able to get into a room that early and really not wanting to gamble much that day other than using my free and match plays. Budget wise, I more than likely will be shorter than I would if I was going the day later because i average everything up per day.

So where I stand is either I can stay getting there at 840am Vegas time and just run around downtown that day, or I can go and change it back to the later arrival, where I know I can get into my room and have the evening to do what I desire before going to bed, which would be easier on the budget.

I just think waiting that whole day to leave would be torture and I guess I also worry about a flight cancelation for whatever reason, especially seeing how SWA has been doing a lot of that lately. I know my last flying experience on SWA was less than great, they had a maintenance issue and we were over 5 hours late departing.

 

I made the change. That gives a full day in Vegas, not sure if it was the right move to make, but its gambling and thats my first gamble this trip I guess. I may change back to getting in later, great thing about SWA, free changes.

Just need to figure out what to do for the whole day downtown without using my whole budget for the day.

 

Avoid the late day SWA flights like the plague. They are notoriously late. Out of 10 late direct flights I have taken to and from LAS 8 have been late! Get out there early, getting in a room early is usually not much of an issue.

 

You know the flights out of CMH better than I would I suspect but I have read way to many stories about flights being delayed or canceled and seeing the other flights are getting in pretty late I decided to jump on the early flight out. Its a Sunday morning so rooms might be tough to get into, staying at Four Queens that night.

I think I am over planning this trip, I already have quite a bit and a check list of things. I do have a car reserved for a Valley of Fire trip and I have a Myvegas show reserved. This is going to shape up to be true vacation, not a gambling trip.

 

That is what I am saying, take the early flight. If you take a late flight and something happens you are screwed. Leaving LAS the 5pm flight is their last flight out for the day, so if something causes cancel you have an issue. With flying out there I have only had one morning flight get delayed and that was legit because an ice storm hit as we were boarding. I have been taking the late flight coming home, and it has been late consistently, but I now expect it and just don't worry about it. However, I do not like being late getting to a vacation!

 

I totally agree. I made the change and have the first flight of the day out to Vegas and the last flight back to Columbus. At least in June, the last flight of the day leaves at 330pm which is NOT a non-stop but has a delay in Chicago. I don't mind being delayed in Veags, I do NOT want to be delayed going.

Last trip, we were the first flight of the day and our plane had mechanical issues and we were delayed over 5 hours, that included them bringing in a replacement plane.

 

SWA has been fickle this last year. They typically do two non-stops a day, but this last year that has changed a bit and they have cut one off either the morning or evening flight. I have no clue why, but it is the first time I have seen this happen since I began using them exclusively in 2008.

 

Seems a lot has changed with them. I just went and changed my return to the 12pm non-stop return from Vegas instead of the 330pm with a lay over. I need to make sure I am back before Saturday because I will be working that Sunday in the AM and cannot call off (I am calling off the Sunday before for departure). That will at least give me options incase of an issue with that plane. I just called Bell-Trans and made the change with the VIP services.

 

I'm fairly certain you will be able to get a room early at the 4 Queens. It will likely not be at or near capacity. Some places may charge an early check in fee if you check in before their "check in time." I know on the strip the properties that do this run about $20 and I'm not sure of the 4 queens charge if any but I'd be willing to bet you'll be able to get a room and if not just check your bags with the bellhop and be on your way.

 

Don't pay any 'early check in fee'... just go to the check-in counter. Sunday mornings in Vegas? LOTS of people leaving... and early too. If they try to hit you with a fee, chuckle at them at ask where you can check your bags.
You may have to wait an hour or two for a room, but I would think by 10AM, one would be ready.

 

I won't be paying any fees anywhere to check in early. In the past I never was charged it but have seen recently that places are starting to find that as another revenue source.

 

Although I agree with not paying the fee because it's dumb and just check the bags with the bellhop, you should see what the fee is because it may be about what you are going to tip the bellhop anyways. If the fee is a relatively low number like $10 and you are going to tip the bellhop $5-10 to check your bags, which is reasonable if you are checking them in the morning and could potentially leave them there for a few hours while you go about your business. Then it may well be worth it to just pay the $10 and skip the middle man. Anything more than $10 though I wouldn't even ask where to check my bags, I'd just laugh and walk away as it wouldn't justify a response. That's just my take.

 

100% agree with this!

 

I surely will ask, but I don't think I would pay the fee out of principal to be honest. If they have the room available there is no reason to charge someone, go the extra mile to make the guest happy, it earns repeat business.

 

I couldn't agree with you more but the days of making the customer/gambler happy have seen to go by the wayside in favor of making a quick buck. E.g. Resort fees, early check-in fees, late check-out fees, less or not drink service in sportsbooks, spotty drink service on casino floors. Today it's more about the $$$ than who's happy unless you're a whale. And at least to me if I'm there early and know there is likely a fee for checking in early I wouldn't hold it against them as it is a business. I would just pay the fee or tip the bellhop to hold my bags.