Vegas.com? Orbitz? Other? Best package deal site

I couldn't find much in the hotels area so I'm hoping you guys can help.

My good friend and neighbor invited wife and I along for a trip in May. It's his first time and we'll be meeting others there

He says Vegas.com has good deals and it looks ok but some reviews are sketchy.

I have flown and prefer southwest from nashville (1 shot no stops) and I have some points but he doesn't.

Anyone have any recommendations? We're e eyeing treasure island of Harrahs as the hotel of choice.

I haven't been to Vegas since 2011 so any help is appreciated!

 

Not exactly sure what you are asking. If you are asking if Vegas.com is a reputable site, the answer is yes. If you are asking who has the lowest price on the hotels/flights you want, you will have to make your own comparisons.

I usually start by pricing the flight and hotel separately. For example, price the itinerary you want on Southwest. Then visit the hotel's site and the get their price for the room. Be sure to make a note of the specific room type you are interested in.

Next try various sites such as Southwest vacations, Orbitz, and Vegas.com to price the components as a package. Be sure to select the same flights and the same room type you already priced out separately.

If the package price is better, book that way. If there is no price advantage to booking them as a package, book the flights and rooms separately.

 

I usually start with orbitz and then check everything I can. I LOVE planning a trip and trying to get the best deal. We are low rollers so don't often get great offers but every few years Caesars will give us free rooms. So far, I have never gotten a better deal in a package but I have heard that they are out there. I think it also depends on where you are traveling from too. If you like to shop, price thru the airline and the big search engines. If you aren't a shopper, book thru the airline and rack up some points if you can.

 

I agree with ExVegas... do your homework.. plan out multiple ways to book and compare the prices. I've found that for the most part, booking on travel sites does not have much benefit over booking directly. They usually start with the worst flight available and getting the flight you want adds more to the price. There are good deals on sites like hotwire or priceline where you won't know the actual hotel you are choosing until you book. There is also a site that can help you identify what the hotel is.

I check smartervegas as well for rooms because you can get coupon codes for hotels. I would try to book the hotel with a coupon code if available and then book the flight you want, but its always a good idea to compare different booking methods. After the first time you do it, you will get a feel for it for future trips.

 

Do you need a package flight and hotel or no? If not you probably are better off booking though the hotel. Most places have best rate guaranteed so if you find it on Orbiz or elsewhere call reservations and see if they will match. If you book through a 3rd party site there is little chance of getting things comped off.

If you need a package yeah search around and compare, but you may do better booking separate.

 

Ditto!

 

This is all great info everyone, thank you!

Yes we need a hotel plus flight package.

I'm finding however, as was stated, that these package deals include the lamest flights (even worse coming home), some that even extend into the next day!?!??

Once my buddy chooses the hotel were staying at it will make it easier but he's the one that's never been and is trying to choose wisely as well.

 

Can I ask why you specifically need a package vs booking separately? Have you been to Vegas before and if so, did you sign up for any players clubs? Do you plan to gamble at all? If the answer to either/both of those is yes, a package may not be the best way to go.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to talk you out of it - I've travelled via packages in the past and it was fine. (I used SW Vacations). It's just that it may not automatically be the best option.

 

I usually check out kayak for my air, room and rental cars first, then I will check out the hotel sites. Sometimes I log on using my player's card and I find some good rates at my fave hotels.

For cars I also go to the individual rental sites to check out rates. Thrifty has a "vegas specials" that you click on that shows some vegas rates that are lower than the third party sites. Advantage also has a 10% off special (code DCCLICK) to get 10% off their rates. You can see the special when you exit their site, they try to entice you with the 10% off before you leave.

Actually for the airlines I usually find a similar rate using the airline web site so I usually book directly through the airline.

Some airlines (like SW) offer air and room packages so I check on them if I use their airlines.

 

I've been 3 times but my friend hasn't. If he chooses Harrahs or tropicana then I'll be a bit better off since I'm a member there and still play locally.

But I called TI and there's really nothing they can do except rate my level of play at the end of the trip (given I stay there of course)
My friend doesn't really gamble so he probably won't play much.

I'm leaning more towards setting this up separately.

If I book thru a package can I still get comps from the hotel/casino, or is it a done deal?

 

If you book through a package there is nothing they can do to comp off any of the room costs. That's exactly why I was asking. You could still potentially use credits towards meals and such, but you are paying for that room no matter what.

 

I usually check several sites (Expedia, Kayak, Vegas.com), as well as packages through the airline I'm flying and room rates directly with the hotel. Vegas.com is a reputable site, but it has never been competitive for hotel only or package pricing in my attempts to use it over four or so years. That's how long ago I bought $200 of credit on their site for $150. I'm still trying to make good use of it because they are that much higher priced.

There's been a tremendous amount of consolidation in the on-line travel industry over the past couple of years. Expedia now owns Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, Hotels.com, Trivago and some lesser sites. Don't get many "Extra 15% Off" offers from websites these days since Expedia has bought them. Also, there's not usually any difference unless you're willing to do something nonrefundable like Hotwire.

 

Over the past five years or so I have always booked directly with the hotel. I have found they are much more flexible about any changes to the itinerary should the need arise. I also came to the conclusion that when I booked a room on the travel sites, Orbitz, Expedia etc. I always seemed to get a room that was lacking in terms of view, maintenance and general appeal. These incidents may have been coincidences but ever since I have started booking directly with the hotel I have had nothing but positive experiences.

I usually book my rooms way in advance, Cyber Monday offers incredible deals directly through many hotels, and then I'll start shopping airfare and book it no later than 45 days from my trip, many times months in advance when I find a rate I'm comfortable with.

Nothing against the package deals on the travel sites, I used to do them, but experience has taught me that I can get better results by booking each separately.

I also check the schedule of conventions and events in LV to ensure I'm not in town when room rates are ramped up. Here's the link:

http://www.lasvegastourism.com/lasvegas_conventions.htm

Hope this helps.

 

Everyone has given you good advice, I will point out that SWA flights are not on any travel sites I've priced Vegas trips from. If you want to fly SWA book their flight and book the hotel separately. I booked a trip last April to the Four Queens using SWA package deal and I felt I got a good price. My wife and I enjoyed downtown and the fact that Four Queens does not charge a resort fee.

 

I view hotel and airfare as kind of fixed, outside my control costs. I do the best I can with them using methods outlined above.

Where I can make up the difference if I feel the air and hotel are costing more than I'd like is in the food; I'm a heavy coupon user and love meal specials. I have yet to get a bad meal in Vegas.

I'm thinking of myself less as a cheapskate and more as value oriented.

 

Yes this has been really helpful and quick, thank you all. I had noticed about southwest not being on those sites, and I told my friend SW is the way to go, not just for the non-stop out there but on the way back. Some of the flights are just insane. I've flown SW the 3 times I have been out and its by far the best (especially the first time I went where they were giving free drinks to winners of the game we played)

Mike, you read my mind on the conventions, as I was thinking about that earlier today. Thank you for that link.

LolaDoggie, I like the mention of the food coupons. I will bring that up to the gang to see if they want to pursue using some of those.

Thanks all! I officially set up my countdown timer tonight; gonna be a long 7 months...