Las Vegas offers a lot of bang for your vacation dollar, especially when you find a package deal that combines airfare and hotel.
Make your dollar go further in Vegas
By TOM PARSONS, Dallas Morning News
August 8, 2011 at 2:20PM
There's lots of competition among airlines for Vegas, which keeps fares low. When those fares are bundled with hotel rates, you can save even more. For example, we checked sample rates for air-and-hotel packages for three nights, arriving on Aug. 15, and found them as low as $249 for stays at the three-star Palace Station and $289 for stays at the four-star Hilton Las Vegas or Golden Nugget, per person, based on double occupancy.
Along with bundling, the days of the week you travel can make a big difference in the amount you spend on your trip. The best days to depart are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday or Friday departures with Sunday returns will bring the highest fares; Friday and Saturday night stays are the most expensive. If you want to spend the weekend in Las Vegas, depart on Saturday and return on Tuesday.
If you can avoid the weekend altogether, you'll save even more. Other tips for shaving the cost of a Vegas trip:
Avoid resort fees: When booking rooms, watch out for resort fees. Quite a few hotels in Las Vegas charge a resort fee for certain amenities, whether you use them or not. The Gold Coast charges $3 per day, while Red Rock Resort charges $24.95.
Tickets included: A hot-selling hotel package deal in Las Vegas is back for fall and winter travel. You get two free show tickets when you book an air-hotel package with stays at a participating MGM property for three or more nights from Nov. 6 through Feb. 2.
The show choices are "Viva Elvis," "Lion King," Terry Fator, "KA," "Jabbawockeez," "Zumanity," "Criss Angel Believe" and "Tournament of Kings."
Stays are available at 13 hotels, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, New York New York and Luxor.
The offer must be booked by Aug. 16, and show tickets must be reserved within 72 hours of booking your room. Blackout dates apply. Be aware that these properties charge resort fees that vary, such as $6.95 at Circus Circus and $22.40 at the MGM Grand. Details: www.mgmresorts.com/july12/showinfo.
