Plan for Getting Hotel

We%26#39;re going to Las Vegas in June 2009 for our 25th wedding anniversary. I lived in Vegas from 1981-1984 (we got married in Vegas), but the hotels are completely different in now.

I think we want to fly Southwest as they offer a direct flight. So, would it be better (money-wise) to book the flight and hotel separately (with the hotel) or go with a Southwest vacation plan?

If it is better to book the room with the hotel, at what time of year would it be better to book the room? Should I wait until the April or book in January?

Plan for Getting Hotel

One reason that you may want to book your room directly with the hotel is depending on how much and how long you gamble is that you could get your room comped. If you book a package deal they can not comp the room as it will already be paid for.

Plan for Getting Hotel

If you book a room through the hotel and the rates go down, you can usually call and get the new rate.

However, you can sometimes make yourself crazy trying to find the best deal. The hotel market is very fluid and room rates fluctuate almost daily.

My suggestion: If you find a package on Southwest Vacations you are happy with, and the price is SIGNIFICANTLY less than booking the flight and room (through the hotel) separately, then do it and don%26#39;t worry about what deal you might have gotten.

If however, there isn%26#39;t much of a price difference, then book them separately, and keep your eyes on the hotel rate.

As for the comps, the previous poster is correct. If it%26#39;s part of a package, then the hotel can%26#39;t do anything about it. However, if you charge things to your room (meals, etc..), they can always take a portion of that off instead.

Southwest is not booking this far out right now, so I won%26#39;t be able to check prices. March is their latest month.

I%26#39;m looking at the Mirage, but I%26#39;ve told my husband to take a look at the hotels online as I can%26#39;t decide. I keep switching back and forth on wanting to stay at a really nice place and wanting to stay at a less expensive place and save money. At this point, with bonuses I%26#39;ve gotten, we can afford a nicer place, but I%26#39;m just wondering if it is really worth it or not. I do know I want to stay in that general area.

I know I will spend some time in the room. I want to see a couple of shows (LOVE and Blue Man Group), so I know those will cost $$$.

I%26#39;ve never gambled before (even though I lived in Vegas for three years) as I was afraid I would love it so much I wouldn%26#39;t stop, but I think I%26#39;ll try some slots and if I%26#39;m really brave (and my husband is sitting next to me) some blackjack. Where are the least minimums on blackjack? Do they even have $5 minimums anywhere?

My husband is a gambler, so I am already saving for his losses!! I%26#39;m setting aside $20/week and then take some money out of the bank to add to it the day before we leave.

Has anyone used a limo company to pick them up from the airport? I%26#39;ve never ridden in a limo before (and have always wanted to), so I thought this would be the perfect time (25th wedding anniversary) to ride in a limo, right? I could use a recommendation for a company.

I would also like to rent a car for one day to go drive out by my former house and to visit some friends. I thought on that day we could drive to the downtown area. When I lived there, we (27 year old teachers) would go to happy hours in the downtown area. I rarely ever went to the strip back then. I even stayed at the Golden Nugget on my wedding night. It was so luxurious back then...really swanky.

Anyway, can I rent a car at the hotels?

Thanks for any and all advice.

You%26#39;ll find $5 blackjack in pretty much every Downtown casino, a lot of off-Strip places and also at more downscale joints on the Strip such as O%26#39;Shea%26#39;s and Casino Royale. During quieter times in the mornings you may find it at some of the nicer Strip casinos.

Presidential is a limo company that generally gets very good reviews.

http://www.presidentiallimolv.com/

All the major Strip hotels have car rental agencies.