I just received an unexpected opportunity from work to do some training in Phoenix 11/20 - 11/22. I manged to get a flight back home from Phoenix Sunday 11/24. Phoenix is "only" 5 hours from Vegas, so I'm renting a car and making the trip!! I have enough LPs from MyVegas to get Comp Bonus nights on Friday and Saturday. I'm looking for advice on which MLife property I should choose. I've stayed at Mirage and Excalibur and will be staying at Aria in March. It's going to be a quick trip getting in late Friday night and leaving relatively early Sunday morning. Thanks for the advice!
Believe me, that's what I would prefer to do. A flight would be about $250. I've reserved a rental with Dollar for $60 for a weekend rental. It's not only a quick trip, but a cheap trip as well.
If your overall rental and fuel costs will be within $100 of the airfare and taxi, I would still choose the airfare over the cost savings, mainly for the extra time you will get to enjoy your short trip. As far as which property to stay at, I would log onto mlife or call VIP services to see what will be cheaper. My guess is of all the mgm properties, excal, luxor, Monte Carlo, nyny, and mirage will be your cheap finds.
MGM, Aria, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay, NYNY have availability Excalibur, Mirage, Luxor, no availability. Personally, I like Mandalay Bay, lots to do there, good casino... Monte Carlo is the best deal. You have like 200k+ LPs? these rewards are pricey! I think they meant a flight to Phoenix instead of driving. Also keep in mind 5 hours is never 5 hours lol, especially with Sunday traffic! I know it's a HUGE mess coming back to LA on Sundays, I'd imagine to Phoenix might be similar. I hate it, takes me 6 or 7 hours for a usually 4.5 hour drive.
I think you'd be fairly safe getting out of Vegas Sunday morning if you took Trop to 515 south and then to 93. Or take 215 to 515 and then to 93 S. Monte Carlo is fairly central and it's a good if not a great place. You have access to NYNY, Aria and MGM. It has a decent food court. I'm thinking that's a good call.
I lived in Phoenix and made the drive from Phoenix to Vegas many times. It's a deadly dull trip, most of it is not interstate and there is often road construction which will slow you down as well. You can safely assume all the small towns along that route are notorious speed traps. They know damn well you're going to Vegas.
I booked Monte Carlo for Friday and Saturday with LPs from MyVegas! I also got the $50 Monte Carlo dining credit. I booked a one way flight from Phoenix to Vegas for $78. I'm waiting to book a return flight to see if prices drop. I do have a full size car reserved with Alamo to pick up in Vegas on Sunday and drop off in Phoenix for $21. It'll be a short trip, but a great time nonetheless.
I have made the drive to Vegas many many times, its about $90 in fuel round trip...between 4.5 and 5.5 hours