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Las Vegas deals are a sure bet

Posted Mar 12 2009, 03:45 PM by Karen Datko
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We've long suspected that space aliens would choose not to have a close encounter with us if they monitored activities in Las Vegas. (Think "Star Trek TNG" episode "First Contact," although in this case they might think we're a little too wild.)

We were wrong. The aliens at It's the Recession, Didiot think Vegas is a blast. Now, with bookings way down, casinos and other travel-related businesses, including airlines, are offering tremendous deals. Viva Las Vegas has become "Viva Las Frugal." So says Zork of Zork Planet.

As LasVegas.com declares, "Las Vegas is on sale!" Among the deals Zork found, plus some others we looked up:

Room rates are heavily discounted. Rooms at El Cortez Cabana Suites go for $14 a night. VegasTripping.com, a wonderful source for the latest discounts and promotion codes for travel, lodging and entertainment, lists $24 rooms at Excalibur among the many packages and discounts at the site.

Happy hour just got happier. A free ounce of caviar comes with two martinis in Mandalay Bay's Red Square. A post at Metrowize called "Vegas Recession Survival Guide: Drinking" identifies the cheapest places in Vegas to imbibe (except for the free drinks you still get when you're playing the slots).

Expensive shows aren't so expensive. Zork says Cirque du Soleil is discounting tickets for the first time ever. According to VegasTripping, Treasure Island has $59 rooms and two-for-one tickets to "Mystere."

Food is being discounted too. Many of the specials at VegasTripping include meal deals, even at some of the Strip's swankiest restaurants.

Reminder: Conditions apply for many of these deals, so make sure you read the fine print and ask about restrictions before you book.

The so-called Frugal Traveler at The New York Times, who called Vegas the "Frugal Destination of 2009," adds this caution: "All deals can fly out the window when you hit the casino floor, but you knew that." (He mentions Dealbase.com as a good place to find special offers.)

Related reading:

Viva Las Vegas: Depression hits the Strip

Free things to do in Vegas

New competition for Vegas casinos draws analyst concern

Trump to reread Chapter 11

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Comments

 

This is great news. I was actually watching CNN a couple of days ago, and they had a guy on representing Las Vegas's tourism department, and he was begging people to come back! Las Vegas lives and dies off of tourism, and when we're not out there drinking their alcohol, gambling, and staying in their hotels, they're in a bad spot.

Great post.

http://www.financialnut.com

Trevor (Posted 03.12.09 6:51 PM ) Report Abuse

As a Las Vegas resident, all I can say is come on down. There's $1.99 breakfasts at the Fitz, half-off all drinks happy hour at PT's, room deals, and plenty of free entertainment. I've found it's almost cheaper for me to eat out than to make food at home, and I make REALLY cheap meals.

Definitely look for deals before you come out, and have a plan before you get here; it keeps you from getting distracted by places you can lose money. And try some off-strip places as well; you'll find some of the same great quality as on strip for a lot less price. I only go to the strip when friends come in, but I find plenty of ways to keep myself happily entertained in the greater Vegas area.

www.moderntightwad.com

Mrs. Modern Tightwad (Posted 03.13.09 1:57 AM ) Report Abuse

Vegas is great. Every hotel on the strip is an over-the-top resort with restaurants, huge swimming pools, great window shopping, etc. And some have art galleries, rollercoasters, waterfalls, etc. You don't have to be into gambling to have a great time, and the deals are awesome right now. If you can afford to go, now is the time!

Sue (Posted 03.13.09 8:17 PM ) Report Abuse

Karen,

As someone who has been to both Vegas and NY ( Was in Vegas last May) the last time I was. And I will say this much I will now only stay one night at a hotel there. Oh it was great getting up with hangovers and migraines. But I'll stay with my cousin who lives there now. But I'll meet you at the slot machines LOL.

Kelly (Posted 03.14.09 1:45 AM ) Report Abuse

I've been wanting to plana trip to vegas!  great news that there are such awesome deals out there.  I'll have to really look into it now!!!

MK (Posted 03.16.09 1:22 PM ) Report Abuse

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