Any one asked you to do a group trip?

I'm wondering if anyone has put together or been asked to put together a group trip to LAS. This would include booking the air, hotel, transfers and whatever else such as each person getting an ACG might be needed. If, so what did you charge or what rebate(s) from the casino hotel. What might be a fair price for you planning such a trip for 30 or more people. Just curious. Thanks.

 

Well, not many hotels give commission to travel agents anymore, so don't expect any commission from the casino/hotels. However, many chain hotels(Marriott/Intercontinental/etc.) offer incentives, usually in the form of loyalty points to those who book room blocks or meeting space. So, it might be worth the time to contact properties like the Venetian/Palazzo (IHG-partner), Cosmo (Marriott-partner).

If you're joining the group and these people are your friends, I would expect them to commit to the trip since people backing out can make your life miserable. If these friends are nice and appreciate you taking the time to set up everything, I'm sure they will buy you a few drinks or pay for your F&B cost as long as it's reasonable.

If they're not your friends, then I'd ask them to pay a set price since this can take quite sometime..

Keep in mind that some airlines offer a discount (usually ~5%) if you book a reservation for more than 12 people. However, this can be a PITA when everyone is departing from different cities.

I've never planned a big group trip to LAS but I plan a lot of family trips (~5-6 people). Planned a few family trips for ~20 people in the past too and they were for int'l travel.

 

Try Total Experience at CET site. Give them a call and see what they can do.

 

When we did our trip this past July I talked to Southwest regarding a group rate for 18 on the same flight out of the same city.

The tickets are paper and were transferable. They wanted $900 ($50/person) mailed in a money order within 30 days of when they sent the contract at a set price. The rest had to be paid 6 weeks from departure.

Group procrastinated and in the long run I am glad they did. The fixed price of the flight was anywhere between $45-85 more than what everyone paid for their flights individually. 14 of us ended up on that flight with the other 4 arriving later in the evening and that flight was cheaper.

We were able to get all of our rooms at Harrahs together with 4 on one side of the hallway and the 4 others across on the other side of the hallway. We called 2 days before arrival and gave them everyone's confirmation numbers. I am the entry level Total Rewards person so my assumption is they are willing to do this for anyone.

Personally, I will never offer to do something like that again. To many people have to many thoughts, ideas, etc when it comes to trip planning. If they want to go, here's where I'm staying and what flight I'm on, hope to see you there.

 

I have been in charge of our 3G trips (golf, gamble, guzzle) for 18 years.
It's a pain in the ass.
I have gotten a free room out of it twice. That's when there were 20+ of us.
I didn't even start asking the hotels for stuff until year 14 though.
I was just doing it.
I never tried to negogiate with the airline.

 

Well said.

 

I've done several group trips over the years. While I enjoy it to a degree it's also a pain in the ass.

I've found it's best not to waste time getting everyone's preferences. You can't make everyone happy. There are 3-4 of us that will work to get the dates set and after that we just let people know. This is when we're going, these are the flights and prices, this is where we're staying and the prices, etc... The others can I let the others make their own reservations. The first time I did something like this I had everyone pay me and got a discount for booking all at once but getting money from people, no matter how good of a friend was another pain in the ass.

The groups I've done to Vegas have generally been in the 15-20 range, most are on the same flight, most stay in the same hotel and it's a good time.

 

Yes, let me be clear, the trips are great great fun. That's why I endure the misery of planning them. I want to make sure they happen.

Jeez, even the plane trip out there is lots of fun. I've sung "Viva Las Vegas" on the plane's intercom three times. I also lost $60 one year playing Liar's Poker. Good times.

 

Ever try to plan a simply lunch at work?
I can't image and would never attempt to plan a trip to Vegas or any location unless everyone is going to give me their credit card info.

If everyone wants to go, I strongly recommend a date and suggested hotel and tell everyone to make reservations. Some people may not like the hotel or dates and opt to be there a day or so earlier or later.

Plus you are guaranteed a few people will bail. It can ruin a trip if you had to plan it and get stuck but if not then it is just another fun time in VEgas.