Tips and Tricks to save you money in Las Vegas!
The $20 Check-In Trick
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The $20 Check-In Trick has become quite famous now, and the traditional idea is fairly simple. When checking in to your hotel, "sandwich" a $20 bill between your ID and Credit Card, and ask the front desk clerk, "Are there any complimentary upgrades available?" We have a few suggestions on how to maximize your results with this trick.
First, when you approach the front desk, be extremely positive and upbeat! We always try to be really cute and emphasize how excited we are to be in Las Vegas. Generally, we always try to let the person at the desk know if there is something that we are celebrating like an Anniversary, Wedding, Birthday, etc.. Second, we've had great results by simply having the $20 bill out and visible on the desk next to our other hand as we pass over our ID and Credit Card. The process of "sandwiching" the $20 bill feels a little bit sketchy to us and, in our experience, it usually falls out of it's position between your ID and card. Third and finally, we try to have some realistic goals in mind for what you'd like to get. At the minimum, an updated room with a great view should be possible. If you are staying during the week, don't be afraid to ask for more, because they usually have more options available. Our $20 Check-In Trick page has information about the upgrades we've received!
First, when you approach the front desk, be extremely positive and upbeat! We always try to be really cute and emphasize how excited we are to be in Las Vegas. Generally, we always try to let the person at the desk know if there is something that we are celebrating like an Anniversary, Wedding, Birthday, etc.. Second, we've had great results by simply having the $20 bill out and visible on the desk next to our other hand as we pass over our ID and Credit Card. The process of "sandwiching" the $20 bill feels a little bit sketchy to us and, in our experience, it usually falls out of it's position between your ID and card. Third and finally, we try to have some realistic goals in mind for what you'd like to get. At the minimum, an updated room with a great view should be possible. If you are staying during the week, don't be afraid to ask for more, because they usually have more options available. Our $20 Check-In Trick page has information about the upgrades we've received!
MyVegas Apps for Facebook and Mobile Devices
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MGM Resorts has created free online games where you can earn really awesome reward options for your trip to Las Vegas. We have some tips to help you maximize these rewards. First, sign up for all the games on all available devices (MyVegas Slots Facebook, MyVegas Slots Mobile, and MyVegas Blackjack Mobile) and link them to your Facebook account so that all your loyalty points will sync across the different game options. Next, get your spouse, significant other, or travel companion involved. This doubles the amount of Loyalty Points you can earn and the number of rewards you can redeem on your trip. While it is very tempting to purchase chips or points for cash when you start playing, DO NOT DO THIS! Be patient and just collect your bonuses until you have enough chips to play for a bit.
On MyVegas Facebook on your computer, utilize the auto-spin function on BetRock nights to rack up points while you're away from the computer. On MyVegas Slots Mobile, attempt challenges on journeys that do not require large bets (i.e. collect 50 cherries on a game or win 10,000 chips on a game). You'll earn LPs through the game and when you complete the challenge. The bonuses really start to add up. On MyVegas Blackjack, start small and play with basic strategy to increase your chances. Single Deck has the best odds for the player. The best way to earn LPs in MyVegas Blackjack is to unlock new casinos and collect special cards. In our opinion, some of the best values for rewards comes in the form of free Cirque Du Soleil Tickets and comped rooms at some prestigious resorts like the Aria, Mirage, MGM Grand, and Mandalay Bay. Check out some of the rewards that we've redeemed with MyVegas!
On MyVegas Facebook on your computer, utilize the auto-spin function on BetRock nights to rack up points while you're away from the computer. On MyVegas Slots Mobile, attempt challenges on journeys that do not require large bets (i.e. collect 50 cherries on a game or win 10,000 chips on a game). You'll earn LPs through the game and when you complete the challenge. The bonuses really start to add up. On MyVegas Blackjack, start small and play with basic strategy to increase your chances. Single Deck has the best odds for the player. The best way to earn LPs in MyVegas Blackjack is to unlock new casinos and collect special cards. In our opinion, some of the best values for rewards comes in the form of free Cirque Du Soleil Tickets and comped rooms at some prestigious resorts like the Aria, Mirage, MGM Grand, and Mandalay Bay. Check out some of the rewards that we've redeemed with MyVegas!
Las Vegas Coupon Books
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The two best Las Vegas Coupon Books that we have found are the American Casino Guide and the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book. If you use Las Vegas Advisor, make sure that you don't pull out the LVA coupons until you are in front of a casino representative and are ready to use them! Those are the rules with the LVA Rewards Book! These two books are two of the best ways to save money in Las Vegas, hands down. You can get discounts for food (almost every Buffet is 1/2 off!), drinks (free rounds and BOGO drinks), hotels (discounted stays), and entertainment (Free show or BOGO Tickets). We suggest that if you are traveling with someone, each of you get one of each of the aforementioned books so that you can both enjoy the perks! The American Casino Guide usually costs around $15 to $20 per book and the LVA membership is around $40/person. Keep in mind that the LVA membership comes with a 12 month subscription to their online newsletter that is chock full of helpful tips! Basically, for two people, you'll need to spend around $110 for 2 copies of each publishing. They are definitely worth it if you are planning to head down to Fremont Street (Old Vegas), especially when you consider that even partially used these publications still include a lot of valuable deals (We sold a few Las Vegas Souvenirs this month on Ebay for $70, when we threw in our used book as a free gift with the various promotional casino items).
These two books have exceptional value especially when it comes to gambling. There are great ways to give yourself an edge against the casinos. This advantage comes in the form of the Match Play Coupons, Free Slot Play, and Slot Match Plays. Here are the basics on how a match play coupon works. You pick an even money game like Craps, Roulette, or Blackjack and place a bet in the amount listed on the coupon (i.e. $25 bet for a $25 Matchplay or a $10 bet for a $10 Matchplay), placing the coupon under the chips (you will need to have your id and player's card ready to show the dealer as well). If your bet wins, the dealer will pay you 2 to 1 for your bet ($10 bet + Coupon = Potential $20 Win). This swings the advantage to the player. The best game to use these coupons on is craps because the Pass Line (1.41% house edge) and the Don't Pass Line (1.36% house edge) have some of the lowest house edges available. There are blackjack games (off the strip) that have low house edge, but they aren't your best bet when using a coupon, because the casino will not give you out the 3 to 2 payout for hitting BlackJack on your coupon. Without the payout odds of 3 to 2 in Blackjack, the casino edge increases dramatically.
For the Free Slot Play and Slot Match Plays, simple go to the Player's Club and ask them to activate your promotion in their system. We recommend using the Free Slot Promotions on games like Video Poker, because the house edge can be extremely low, which means that you can usually cash in on the deals! You may even hit a big hand. We hit a straight flush on Deuces Wild Video Poker at the Downtown Grand in April on our freeplay which paid $50. For the complete run down on the best ways to maximize your return on these coupons, please visit our Las Vegas Coupon Books page!
These two books have exceptional value especially when it comes to gambling. There are great ways to give yourself an edge against the casinos. This advantage comes in the form of the Match Play Coupons, Free Slot Play, and Slot Match Plays. Here are the basics on how a match play coupon works. You pick an even money game like Craps, Roulette, or Blackjack and place a bet in the amount listed on the coupon (i.e. $25 bet for a $25 Matchplay or a $10 bet for a $10 Matchplay), placing the coupon under the chips (you will need to have your id and player's card ready to show the dealer as well). If your bet wins, the dealer will pay you 2 to 1 for your bet ($10 bet + Coupon = Potential $20 Win). This swings the advantage to the player. The best game to use these coupons on is craps because the Pass Line (1.41% house edge) and the Don't Pass Line (1.36% house edge) have some of the lowest house edges available. There are blackjack games (off the strip) that have low house edge, but they aren't your best bet when using a coupon, because the casino will not give you out the 3 to 2 payout for hitting BlackJack on your coupon. Without the payout odds of 3 to 2 in Blackjack, the casino edge increases dramatically.
For the Free Slot Play and Slot Match Plays, simple go to the Player's Club and ask them to activate your promotion in their system. We recommend using the Free Slot Promotions on games like Video Poker, because the house edge can be extremely low, which means that you can usually cash in on the deals! You may even hit a big hand. We hit a straight flush on Deuces Wild Video Poker at the Downtown Grand in April on our freeplay which paid $50. For the complete run down on the best ways to maximize your return on these coupons, please visit our Las Vegas Coupon Books page!
Getting Free Drinks in Las Vegas
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We have a few tips for how to get delicious free drinks while in Las Vegas. If your game is to find the best free drinks and pay almost nothing for a few rounds, it takes discipline! When we're hunting for free drinks, we like to play cheap slots or video poker at the nicer casinos (Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Wynn/Encore) because the quality of the drinks (or at least the brands of available liquors) is usually much higher. Try to make it into a game! Who in your group can get the "Most Expensive or Elaborate Free drink." Remember, the goal is free drinks, not cranking off a machine for $1,000 dollars in this situation. If you lose money in the machine, the drinks aren't free and thus, you lose the value!
First, find the area where the cocktail waitress is circulating most often and look for a good spot (slot machine or video poker) to play. If your'e in doubt, look for where their drink station is, generally close to the casino floor bars. Put some money and your player's card in the machine and start playing very small bets. We usually will pull 10 to 20 lines (depending on the game) at $.01 per line. The risk is extremely small even with a 10% house advantage (video poker has an even smaller house edge). By playing 10 to 20 lines, you'll probably get a few small wins along the way. We generally come pretty close to breaking even in the machine with these types of small bets. When the cocktail waitress comes up, order the drinks for your group and go ahead and give her a pre-Round tip. Generally, $5 (total) is what we would start with for a group of 3 or 4 people. This gets her invested in coming back to see your group often. After the first Pre-Round, we usually tip $1 to $2 per round. The key to the free drinks game is stay disciplined! Don't get too sloppy and bet more than the free drinks are worth!
First, find the area where the cocktail waitress is circulating most often and look for a good spot (slot machine or video poker) to play. If your'e in doubt, look for where their drink station is, generally close to the casino floor bars. Put some money and your player's card in the machine and start playing very small bets. We usually will pull 10 to 20 lines (depending on the game) at $.01 per line. The risk is extremely small even with a 10% house advantage (video poker has an even smaller house edge). By playing 10 to 20 lines, you'll probably get a few small wins along the way. We generally come pretty close to breaking even in the machine with these types of small bets. When the cocktail waitress comes up, order the drinks for your group and go ahead and give her a pre-Round tip. Generally, $5 (total) is what we would start with for a group of 3 or 4 people. This gets her invested in coming back to see your group often. After the first Pre-Round, we usually tip $1 to $2 per round. The key to the free drinks game is stay disciplined! Don't get too sloppy and bet more than the free drinks are worth!
Free Shuttles and Trams in Las Vegas
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Excalibur - Luxor - Mandalay Bay Tram Service A free tram runs between the Excalibur, the Luxor and Mandalay Bay hotels. The southbound tram runs only from the Excalibur to Mandalay Bay, but the northbound tram starts at Mandalay Bay, stops at Luxor and ends at the Excalibur.
ARIA Express Tram - Monte Carlo - CityCenter - Bellagio Free Tram Service The ARIA Express tram is a three stations free tram with stops at Monte Carlo, Crystals retail and entertainment district (closest to ARIA) and Bellagio/Vdara Hotel & Spa
Mirage - Treasure Island Tram Service The Free Tram service between the Mirage and Treasure Island Hotel
RIO LAS VEGAS - SHUTTLE TO THE STRIP The Rio and it's sister properties, Bally's/Paris and Harrah's Las Vegas on the Strip, offer a complimentary shuttle to and from the Rio. Please note: the shuttle only runs from the Rio to Bally's/Paris or Harrah's Las Vegas, not from Bally's/Paris to Harrah's Las Vegas or vice versa. The shuttle runs daily from 10:00am to 1:00am. Pick-up times are approximately every 30 minutes from each location, depending on traffic conditions.
Pick-Up Locations:
Rio: Carnival World Buffet entrance
Bally's: Race and Sports Book entrance (side of Flamingo Rd)
Harrah's Las Vegas: Shuttle/Bus/Trolley drop off
Source: https://totalrewards.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/131/~/rio-las-vegas---shuttle-to-the-strip
THE ORLEANS - SHUTTLE TO THE STRIP The Orleans offers shuttle service to its sister property, the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, as well as the Las Vegas strip. The shuttle operates 7 days a week from 9:00am to 12:30am and picks up guests approximately every 30 - 45 minutes from the hotel's Tropicana Avenue entrance. The shuttle drops off at The High Roller at The Linq. The last shuttle will leave the strip at 12:30am. Hotel guests will receive priority seating on all shuttles.
Source: http://www.orleanscasino.com/stay/shuttle-service
SAM'S TOWN, FREMONT STREET, AND HARRAH'S SHUTTLE
Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall offers shuttle service to its sister properties, Fremont Hotel & Casino and California Hotel & Casino, as well as the Las Vegas strip. The shuttle operates seven days a week starting at 9:00am and hotel guests will receive priority seating on all shuttles.
Source: http://www.samstownlv.com/stay/shuttle-service
ARIA Express Tram - Monte Carlo - CityCenter - Bellagio Free Tram Service The ARIA Express tram is a three stations free tram with stops at Monte Carlo, Crystals retail and entertainment district (closest to ARIA) and Bellagio/Vdara Hotel & Spa
Mirage - Treasure Island Tram Service The Free Tram service between the Mirage and Treasure Island Hotel
RIO LAS VEGAS - SHUTTLE TO THE STRIP The Rio and it's sister properties, Bally's/Paris and Harrah's Las Vegas on the Strip, offer a complimentary shuttle to and from the Rio. Please note: the shuttle only runs from the Rio to Bally's/Paris or Harrah's Las Vegas, not from Bally's/Paris to Harrah's Las Vegas or vice versa. The shuttle runs daily from 10:00am to 1:00am. Pick-up times are approximately every 30 minutes from each location, depending on traffic conditions.
Pick-Up Locations:
Rio: Carnival World Buffet entrance
Bally's: Race and Sports Book entrance (side of Flamingo Rd)
Harrah's Las Vegas: Shuttle/Bus/Trolley drop off
Source: https://totalrewards.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/131/~/rio-las-vegas---shuttle-to-the-strip
THE ORLEANS - SHUTTLE TO THE STRIP The Orleans offers shuttle service to its sister property, the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, as well as the Las Vegas strip. The shuttle operates 7 days a week from 9:00am to 12:30am and picks up guests approximately every 30 - 45 minutes from the hotel's Tropicana Avenue entrance. The shuttle drops off at The High Roller at The Linq. The last shuttle will leave the strip at 12:30am. Hotel guests will receive priority seating on all shuttles.
Source: http://www.orleanscasino.com/stay/shuttle-service
SAM'S TOWN, FREMONT STREET, AND HARRAH'S SHUTTLE
Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall offers shuttle service to its sister properties, Fremont Hotel & Casino and California Hotel & Casino, as well as the Las Vegas strip. The shuttle operates seven days a week starting at 9:00am and hotel guests will receive priority seating on all shuttles.
Source: http://www.samstownlv.com/stay/shuttle-service
Uber and Lyft
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Uber and Lyft are changing the game in Las Vegas. Taxis that charge almost criminally exorbitant prices are on their way out! Uber and Lyft are two apps that give you the ability to pick out your driver, see their reviews, and track your entire ride. They put you, the rider, in control. The deals in Las Vegas (especially for gambling!!!) are often found at off strip properties. Uber and Lyft allow you to access parts of Las Vegas where you can find the best deals and the rides are very affordable. It's usually about a $10 Uber/Lyft ride from the airport to the strip, versus Taxi Rides that have been known to cost upwards of $30. Full disclosure, you can click on any of our Uber or Lyft links to receive your first ride free* (Up to $10*)! That is a huge savings and you don't have to stand in the taxi queue! As an added bonus, we have a great tip for using Uber or Lyft from the airport in Las Vegas that will save you money and help you better enjoy your trip! Simply ask the driver to stop at the CVS on Paradise Rd (4490 Paradise Rd) on route to your hotel so that you can load up on supplies for your hotel room. Uber/Lyft only charge about $0.20/minute to wait in the parking lot while you go in to the store. What has worked best for us is a folded up green grocery bag (our best option is an IKEA bag) and a thin flat cooler bag in our luggage to use on these runs. Some of our essentials supplies include:
- A Case of Waters
- Snacks like fruit, yogurt, and granola bars
- Orange Juice
- Cheap Champagne
- Energy Drinks
Using AirBNB to Reduce Trip Overhead
AirBNB is a new popular website and online app that allows people to convert their homes into a Bed and Breakfast on a short term basis. We have never used AirBNB to rent rooms or an apartment in Las Vegas (we have used it almost everywhere else), but we do utilize the application back home while we travel to Las Vegas. The IRS will allow you to rent our own home for up to 14 days per year completely tax-free. You pay no tax on this income as long as it is less than 14 days per year. This is a deal that is too good to pass up. We recommend that you turn your home/apartment into a short term rental for the dates that you'll be in Las Vegas. You set the price for the nightly rate and you get to check the reviews of potential renters before you approve them for stays.
As long as you stay within the terms you've set on AirBNB, you are covered via AirBNB insurance for up to 1 million dollars in damages for your property. We've had over 100 people stay at our different properties and we've never had a major issue. On top of the insurance policy, you also get to hold a security deposit for people who stay at your property. At the minimum, create a listing for your property, block off every date except when you know you'll be in Las Vegas or on another vacation, and put the price high. While you are on your travels, you are still paying for overhead expenses back home. By renting your property, you can cover those overhead expenses and also give yourself supplemental income to go towards the cost of your flights, hotel rooms, and entertainment.
We have used AirBNB as a really affordable option for accommodations in location all over the world like Rome, Paris, London, Florence, Venice, Split (Croatia), Prague, Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Brussels, Normandy, Bastogne, Virginia Beach, Wilmington, Charleston, and Vienna. For us, part of the appeal of Las Vegas is staying in a World Class resort, so we don't stay in AirBNB's when we travel to Sin City. Las Vegas is our exception, because on every other trip, we always check to see what is available on AirBNB . Click our link here to receive $40 off your first stay with AirBNB!
As long as you stay within the terms you've set on AirBNB, you are covered via AirBNB insurance for up to 1 million dollars in damages for your property. We've had over 100 people stay at our different properties and we've never had a major issue. On top of the insurance policy, you also get to hold a security deposit for people who stay at your property. At the minimum, create a listing for your property, block off every date except when you know you'll be in Las Vegas or on another vacation, and put the price high. While you are on your travels, you are still paying for overhead expenses back home. By renting your property, you can cover those overhead expenses and also give yourself supplemental income to go towards the cost of your flights, hotel rooms, and entertainment.
We have used AirBNB as a really affordable option for accommodations in location all over the world like Rome, Paris, London, Florence, Venice, Split (Croatia), Prague, Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Brussels, Normandy, Bastogne, Virginia Beach, Wilmington, Charleston, and Vienna. For us, part of the appeal of Las Vegas is staying in a World Class resort, so we don't stay in AirBNB's when we travel to Sin City. Las Vegas is our exception, because on every other trip, we always check to see what is available on AirBNB . Click our link here to receive $40 off your first stay with AirBNB!