Find Cheap Airfares - Tips and information on discount travel

photo credit: Wolfgang Staudt

There are tons of Las Vegas deals to be found, even at the most expensive casinos on the strip. So how can you find these deals and what constitutes as a “great deal” to begin with?

First of all, never accept the room’s rack rate. The rack rate is the basic rate that you are meant to pay before taking any discount into consideration. Rack rates are almost never used because they are extraordinarily high. For example, the rack rate in your typical Holiday Inn in your own hometown might be $150 per night, when everyone knows that the highest room rate anyone has ever had to pay is $50.

A good deal should be at least 50% off the rack great. A great deal should be at least 75% off the rack rate. So how can you find these deals?

Always check with the hotel’s website first. Even though Expedia and Travelocity might offer similar cheap rates, there’s a good chance that the hotel’s own website will try to win your business by throwing in a few extras, too. For example, if you book your hotel room through the Flamingo’s website when they are having a special, you might only pay $59 per night, and they might throw in a free room upgrade and a $50 credit to their casino, too. That same rate might be available on Expedia, but you might not get the extra incentives.

After you have checked with the hotel’s website, then start checking out the travel booking sites. Compare both Expedia and Travelocity because even though they are similar in design, they don’t always get the same Las Vegas deals. A recent search showed the Planet Hollywood hotel on Expedia for $119 per night, while the same room showed up on Travelocity for $156.

Booking a package can also generate some good deals, too. When you book your airfare and hotel together, not only can you get hundreds of dollars shaved off your total cost, but you can also have extra incentives thrown into the package as well, like free show tickets.

Once you get to Vegas, the Las Vegas deals don’t stop. Check with your concierge about any special promotions or coupons that they might be offering when it comes to their shows and restaurants. Check with the casinos to see if there are any incentives to signing up with their Slot Clubs. Sometimes, they offer free show tickets or at least a free trip to their buffet.

Generally, the best dining options are available at the smaller casinos on Freemont Street located downtown. While the meals at the big casinos on the Strip might set you back $75 or more, you can still get a steak, baked potato, vegetable, salad, and dessert at some of the downtown hotels for around $10.

There are some great Las Vegas deals to be found, but sometimes it takes some sleuthing and some asking. Don’t be afraid to use your own hotel as a resource and, when in doubt, simply ask if there are any discounts that you should be aware of.