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I like to go to Vegas. But I don’t like to spend a lot of money. I can’t help but worry about the deal I could have had when I pay full price, and that counts double in Vegas! (Have you seen the prices?!)
But when I go out in Vegas, I come back home with money still in my pockets. How?
The Happy Hour Anywhere App by GoTime
Available on both Droid and Apple
This App uses your GPS location to identify exactly where you are. Then tells you were the cheapest food AND drink is around you.
In most cities, you’ll mostly just find results between 4-7–the standard happy hour.
Not in the (other) city that never sleeps!
I’ve never failed to find a happy hour around me with this app. I’ve gotten half-priced appetizers. Five dollar drinks. And two for one specials.
And who’d know that the Four Seasons would have one of the best Happy Hours around. Oh yeah, this app.
Tix4Tonight Also Does Dinner Reservations
I get my show tickets at Tix4Tonight, but even at half-price, shows tend to be more at the High-Roller cost levels. But I’ve been surprised with cheaper shows. I went to a drag diva show at the Imperial Palace for not too much and was really impressed.
But the value at Tix4Tonight really is with their reservation system. You can book reservations at restaurants for a modest fee (~$2) and receive a discount off your entire bill. It ranges from restaurant to restaurant, but I managed to get a reservation for 50% off at Mario Mario Batali’s restaurant. I went there with my mom and it was incredible.
I’ve seen the restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere on there sometimes (though never bit)–but the best part is, you can make reservations days in advance. You do not need to wait until day of and hope you have reservations (the way you need to do with Tix4Tonight for show tickets). You can plan out your trip’s meals.
The discount varies from restaurant to restaurant and is on display at Tix4Tonight.
Don’t Ignore Staff With Advertisements in Hotels
This is something I really, really have to force myself to do in the casinos.
I’m a native New Yorker. Someone walks up to you with a pamphlet, you run away.
Whereas, if staff members are approaching you in the casino, they can be offering a variety of great things. Free passes into the club. Two for One drink specials. Exclusive access.
This is especially true if you go out for the night slightly early, or right around happy hour time. They are trying to pre-fill places for the dinner crowd and for the night crowd so that the places feel important and full. I’ve got to go on the roof of the Mandalay Bay–something that’s exclusive access–and I got my discounted drinks at two-for-one.
That instance in particular, my New Yorker sister started shooing the man away. I don’t blame her, but I chased him down.
This does NOT hold true for outside of the Casinos. They will be trying to sell you timeshares or prostitutes, and be careful if you have kids–the pamphlets they hand out are full of naked women.
Booking Through a Travel Agent
This is a tip I’ve given before, so I’ll just mention it briefly. The nicer properties sometimes aren’t THAT much more expensive than the cheaper ones, and if you book through an agent with a special relationship, you can get benefits that far outweigh the costs.
I got spa-credit and free room service each day for my $150/night stay at the Four Seasons.
Play a Game
Pizza in Motion explains how you can earn comps in Vegas by playing a Facebook Game.
How about you? What are your tips?
Disclaimer: If you go to Vegas before I get to again, I’ll be insanely jealous. But I’d love to hear about it! And I’ll be jealous.
I’m headed back to LAS tomorrow.
Here’s a few tips from a guy who used to work in the casinos:
1. $20 trick actually works but everything is based on availability and the check-in agent. Usually, it’s better to have a bigger “tip” at the more luxury properties (ex. Aria, Bellagio, etc.)
2. Sign up for a player’s card and know about the good promos that are going on. For example, Cosmo has a $100 rebate in freeplay for those who lose $100. Not a bad idea to chase a handpay on the $5 or $10 slots while doing this!
3. If you have Hyatt status make sure to link that account to your mLife account. Hyatt Diamonds get mLife Plat status which is really useful for buffet line passes and cutting the taxi lines.
Thanks for those great tips! I didn’t know about Cosmos’ rebate
Great to know! Thanks for the tips 😀
If you can get comp’d, use the AMEX Centurion Club in Concourse D at LAS (or pay $50.00 if you have a long wait.) Super high-end drinks, very good meals and totally relaxing atmosphere.
For $50.00 – eh, maybe. If you can get a comp, take the time and effort to do it.
Booking hotel: Always ask about AARP, AAA, etc. After making the reservation, sign up for their e-mail alerts. Just got a price drop on an existing reservation because of a promo code they sent out.
If you use Amex Platinum, definitely use FHR. If you really want a deal, move hotels mid-stay. We booked 2 nights at Bellagio and 2 at Venetian, and got double the ‘extra amenity’ ($80.00 Olives meal credit / $100 Venetian Spa credit)instead of just one.
If staying Downtown, buy your water / wine / beer / soda at the ABC store and save 75% from what you’d pay in the hotel.
You can also get good prices at the Walgreens near the Venetian if you are on the strip.
Now I really, really want to go to the Centurion Club! Thanks for the tip!