SW Vacations Deal Question

[GA Redneck]

I'm looking at booking a Southwest vacation package with flight and hotel included. Comparing booking flight and hotel separately, the SW deal is quite a bit of savings. Should I be leary of this deal or is it legit? Am I overlooking something?

 

[93 Octane]

No need to be paranoid book it

 

[pleasemum]

Yes, sometimes vacation packages can work out better. We used to purchase this way many years ago.

However, our gambling play allowed us to take advantage of the free room offers so no more vacation packages for us. For others on the board they may not see some of the cost savings through these packages. If you are paying for your rooms, it's good to check both options - vacation packages or stand along hotel and air bookings.

 

[GA Redneck]

Thanks for your replies. But what if we get ready to check-in and are told there isn't a Terrace Studio room that you booked available?

 

[pleasemum]

I think they may give you the one-bedroom terrace. If you are not happy, you can always get your room request the next day.

 

[vegasdev]

don't forget to factor in resort fees. those are not usually included in vacation packages.

 

[vegasdev]

vacation packages work in some cases, but is pays to shop around. with vegas, it usually don't pay, unless it is your first time to vegas. it does not take much to get a free or discounted room offer.

 

[dmr]

We've done this twice with Southwest and once with the old America West. Haven't had to do it lately cuz we've always managed to get comp or good casino rates.

I kind of assume that there's a buy-down from the casino/hotel in these deals.

 

[steelcity5044]

We used to use SW Vacations when we first started going to Vegas....Always worked well...Priced right....Never had room issues....I would feel confident.....As others have stated I no longer have to use them due to the degenerate I have become.

 

[93 Octane]

The OP didn't say anything about comped rooms so don't know why everyone is going off on that tangent. SW Vacations offer excellent value compared to other vacation packages when I'm looking to stay somewhere new in Vegas

 

[GA Redneck]

Thanks 93 Octane. No rooms won't be comped.

 

[pleasemum]

The OP didn't say anything about comped rooms so don't know why everyone is going off on that tangent. SW Vacations offer excellent value compared to other vacation packages when I'm looking to stay somewhere new in Vegas

I thought it was helpful to explain that many people say vacation packages are not a good deal and to book separate. This is sometimes a good idea to book separate especially if you are going to put in a fair amount of gambling at a hotel where you have not had any gambling history. I know when we were first going to Vegas and bought packages, we were told by the player's club that we should have booked the hotel directly with them as they would be given us back-end comps. So I was sharing my experience that's all.

 

[nostresshere]

I...we were told by the player's club that we should have booked the hotel directly with them as they would be given us back-end comps. So I was sharing my experience ....

That is true - sort of. They can not comp off a hotel room that is already paid for. They can of course comp off meals, drinks that have been charged to the room... assuming of course there was enough play.

 

[pleasemum]

That is true - sort of. They can not comp off a hotel room that is already paid for. They can of course comp off meals, drinks that have been charged to the room... assuming of course there was enough play.

Yes - but isn't it true that if you booked a room separately from a flight, and not a paid in advance room, that it is possible at the end of your stay that your room may also be potentially comped? That of course would require some serious play - right? If not the room then the resort fee?

I went through years of booking packages not understanding the system and my trips to Vegas were gambling trips. Maybe I was naive and did not do proper research - these were the days before boards like this that were a wealth of information.

 

[nostresshere]

Yes - but isn't it true that if you booked a room separately from a flight, and not a paid in advance room, that it is possible at the end of your stay that your room may also be potentially comped? That of course would require some serious play - right? If not the room then the resort fee?...

Yes, that is true. All depends on play.

But, if player A goes and gets $100 worth of food comped on the back end, then the play does not warrant worrying about a room.

But, if player B goes and gets ALL of his $400 of food and drink comped, then maybe he did give up the free room too. Then again, if the were getting the room comped, he may or may not have enough play to also get the room and the food comped.

It all depends on the level of play. If the package is saving hundreds, then take it. It the package is saving only a little and you MIGHT be leaving comps on the table, then maybe.

You might get an idea of your play level by looking at offers the casino extended AFTER you last visit. If they are only offering a discounted room... then the play is low.

 

[GA Redneck]

This is from another thread I have that's in Comps Section.So I received an email on Friday at 10:00am est. that says {Make A Midweek Scene} with your exclusive nightly rate of $109 valid on select Sunday-Thursday in March and April. We call tonight and no rooms for this offer left available. So we ask what about your { Commit To Impulse} offer that's is on their website. 20% off your stay. Minimum 2 nights stay required. Must book at least 60 days in advance. Valid for travel now through September 30,2017. Well guess what... Same answer! No rooms available with that offer? We were looking for April 13-17. WOW! Is this common?
My question is so what if I had booked the SW Vacation package before calling last night and now knowing they don't have a terrace studio available for these dates (so they say) what would have happened when we got ready to check-in? Got stuck with what was left as in a city room? Also, I don't gamble enough to receive comps or get back end comps. I'm just trying to save money on the flight and hotel booking. Aren't we all? Thanks again for all your replies!

 

[nostresshere]

It is not clear what you are saying they did not have available when you called. I am going to assume they said the OFFER was no longer available. That is much different than not having rooms available. Not sure if it mentioned a certain type of room. But, same thing there. They may not have Terrace Studio available for that promo.

If you booked an offer with SW that said it included a terrace studio, you would get it.

Just like if you went online or called and booked it yourself (without the promo).

Hope that helped. Please clarify the question if not.

 

[GA Redneck]

nostresshere, sorry your right after ready it again it's not very clear. Yes they said for the dates we were looking at the offers were no longer available. So I assume they set aside an x amount of rooms for certain room types and when they are sold that offer isn't available. I hope that makes since now.

 

[GA Redneck]

Also I guess what I'm trying to figure out is I called direct to the Cosmo and room including taxes and resort fees was around $1200 for a Thursday-Monday. Flights around $ 700 for two. So in total around $1900. SW Vacation package is around $1350 for the both of us. And that's not adding resort fees and I assume taxes also? Right?

 

[nostresshere]

Also I guess what I'm trying to figure out is I called direct to the Cosmo and room including taxes and resort fees was around $1200 for a Thursday-Monday. Flights around $ 700 for two. So in total around $1900. SW Vacation package is around $1350 for the both of us. And that's not adding resort fees and I assume taxes also? Right?

For sure you should take the SW package. Packages are fine when someone is not getting any comps, or low enough back end comps that Food/beverage can handle it. Package deals like this are legit. Keep in mind they are usually run of the house rooms - meaning whatever they have available. If they offer a specific room type, then book that. Space available upgrade offers rarely result in an upgrade.
Book it!