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How do you book your Vegas trips?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by LVRaiders, Aug 3, 2019.

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  1. Kobra2848

    Kobra2848 VIP Whale

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    Book comped room off Caesars website and hopefully have enough points for a free flight on Southwest.

    Mark
     
  2. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Room. Email host (comp room), or call direct (comp room)
    Air. SWA online
     
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  3. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    Mostly direct. We usually book airfare first, but take into account any free nights or shows we want to see.

    This next trip, we booked air, then filled in with cheap and free nights. It’s a long trip, so I’m struggling to fill 4th to 10th Nov. Will maybe go to Laughlin or elsewhere for that portion of the trip. Vegas is full and expensive then.
     
  4. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    Us too. Although I do have a file folder with every 800- number written on it from back in the late ‘80’s which is dog eared and shows more than a little wear. THOSE were the days.
     
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  5. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Depends on the airline. I usually book using Hawaiian Air and I have never gotten better hotel rates through the airline web sites. The reason is that usually hotel rates fluctuate on hotel web sites and with 3rd party sites so can go down a lot so I never book hotel with air.

    Just FYI, Hawaiian air usually drops airline prices every quarter so best to keep watching the prices for those drops. It doesn't last long though, about a week if any (sometimes longer for slow periods) so best to book quickly when the rates drop. I have seen rates go back up the next day during special periods (like spring break, xmas break, etc.) because they sold out quickly.

    Previously I used to book using 3rd party sites. I usually used Kayak to check on hotel rates. I also check sites like booking.com to see rates. For international hotels I use agoda to check for hotels. booking.com was one of my favorites. you don't have to prepay and it was easy to cancel. It was also easy to change rates if I find a lower rate somewhere else (they price match, even hotel prices).

    I'm a "no" roller so the only comps I would get were for comped meals. I mostly played craps and very little machines other than the megabucks or WOF. Seldom played VP.

    That changed this year with the Boyd changes. They made me Sapphire and started giving me some comp nights. But even last year I could get better rates directly with the hotel.

    I'm going to Japan in October. Used agoda to book my hotels. Was cheaper than trying to book directly with the hotel.


    I'm kind of surprised. I see a lot of Trivago ads but I don't know anyone who uses Trivago. Like others mentioned, maybe foreigners or the uninformed use Trivago? I never see better prices, get about the same rates using Kayak. But with Kayak I can also get prices for air and cars, Trivago you can't.
     
  6. flyguyfl

    flyguyfl MIA

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    Expedia.com, Hotels.com , Hotwire.com, Trivago, Travelocity, and Orbitz are all owned by the same company, Expedia Inc.
     
  7. SMG

    SMG VIP Whale

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    Nowadays, you never know who owns who. LOL I didn't realize Expedia owned all of those companies.
     
  8. FYMYAWF

    FYMYAWF VIP Whale

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    Usually Mlife or Caesars Rewards for the rooms, and Google Flights for the air.
     
  9. LVisBeautiful

    LVisBeautiful High-Roller

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    I call the hotel, it’s independent owned and tell them I’m coming and work out a deal

    Then I go to the airport and buy tickets on Spirit Airlines

    I’m about the most tech-drive person out there this remains weirdly old fashioned
     
  10. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    Third party bookings always get the shittiest rooms and on airlines, you might find yourself on standby.
     
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  11. sinnerman

    sinnerman VIP Whale

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    Yes, hotels hate third party booking because they lose the commissions. They are rarely willing to upgrade suck booking and of course, other than the resort fees, they cannot comp those on the back end if you end up gambling.
     
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  12. GabrielBFly

    GabrielBFly Vegas Aficionado

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    Fly Allegiant whenever possible they are based out of Vegas. You can usually find a $20 off coupon code at joinhoney.com or other coupon sites. Book 2-one way flights to save $20 on each flight otherwise you only save $20 on a RT. MLife is super good about giving free comps mostly at Excalbur. Also if you have the time play Pop Slots or My Vegas you can earn coins for free to get free comp rooms. Also I just read but I haven't tried it. When you fly Allegiant if you go to some hotels at Fremont you can get free match play and a drink with your boarding pass.
     
    The Celebration of Mimi
  13. julia

    julia VIP Whale

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    I didn't know any better when booking my first trip (with a friend, her husband actually did the research) and we booked a package with air, hotel and concert tickets all together. It actually wasn't a bad deal when broken out and our room was just fine (Flamingo). Celine got sick, but that wasn't the package folk's fault (and I did get a refund for those tix).

    Now I know better and book hotel direct and always check for lower rates as the trip gets closer. Air used to be Alaska or SWA, but last few trips I've used Spirit - so cheap w/o bags. Again, always direct for LV trips.

    The travel sites like Expedia, Tripadvisor, etc are great for research on flight prices and hotel options (if you don't know the area), but always book direct for the most control.
     
  14. bull0120

    bull0120 VIP Whale

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    I always book directly through the airline nonstop to LAS with miles. I get a ton of miles because I put all of my business's expenses onto our AA business credit account.

    I value airline miles over tier status at the casino, so I will check sites that offer bonus miles for booking through them. If I can get 4,000+ bonus miles for a long weekend, I book through the website. If I can't I go directly through the casino.
     
  15. gr8whitenorth

    gr8whitenorth VIP Whale

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    Previously third party as I would have lots of Expedia rewards to eat up. Now mostly through COMP's.
     
  16. Kellywest

    Kellywest Low-Roller

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    I go both ways. Depends which is cheaper. Not a High Roller so I guess I get my saving upfront. Sometimes I get comps and sometimes I don't. This next trip I did book through Expedia and saved 120.00 off my hotel for 6 days. Booked my flight direct. I just keep searching till I hit my price I am willing to pay for what I want.
     
  17. EastCoastVegasFan!

    EastCoastVegasFan! VIP Whale

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    Same way every time. Directly through central reservations with MLife/Caesars and online at Southwest.com to use points. Not a lot of direct options out of the DC/Baltimore area unless you go Southwest out of BWI.
     
    July 19th - July 24th
  18. Gino

    Gino "The King of Inappropriate."

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    Direct with both.

    Those booking sites can turn your trip into a fucking nightmare.
     
  19. PSM

    PSM High-Roller

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    I tend to find the cheapest way is to book directly through the hotel if you have an offer - or with an online promo code, as you can always find those - and directly through the airline when they have a sale going on.
     
  20. LoveVeGa

    LoveVeGa Low-Roller

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    Look at the cheapest airfare from Hawaiian, book with the airline..

    Call the hotel and book with them..

    The only time I booked with the 3rd party -Expedia for my virgin trip to sin city- a packet for 3 nights at Mirage...
     
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