"The Travel Game" just launched this June! and WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We strictly fly Southwest. We have point accumulations, SW credit cards for travel use and further point accumulations, and still assign a lot of weight to their 2 free bags/ person perk. We're deep into the SW game, and don't think any other airline can compete with them for transparency, customer friendly booking website usability, absence of change fees, and overall basic domestic flight travel including average fares to Vegas from our home airport. One area  I think they could make improvement would be on car rental prices associated with flights...they can always be beat via direct booking at several sites ( this travel aspect is a treasure hunt and often involves multiple site visits and re-visits, signing up for price drop alerts, and grinding one's teeth to find that good deal).

Regarding specifics of Vegas travel planning, we're among the group that plays the comp game in Vegas so we're dependent on room offers with free play and resort credits. We generally select a time window for a Vegas trip about 90 days out based on our at-home work schedules, comp offers from CET and MLife, and SW sale fares. There's typically enough time flexibility among the offers and sale fares to book the hotel initially and then the flights on the same day ( essentially simultaneously). With both of those tenets, we have the option to cancel and rebook if a better comp offer or sale fare shows up before intended travel dates...no cost except our time on those changes. After hotel and flight booking, we'll book shows / events next. Then the car rental fiasco begins( we always rent a car, with Vegas trips of 6 - 8 days routine).

Would appreciate any insight regarding the Vegas car rental approaches others might have experienced..to find that often elusive frugal deal. In asking that, I realize there's a point when you just book it to escape the process grind. Thanks...

After years of playing the rental car game, I have found the "AutoSlash" rental car site as being the best. I keep checking back prior to my trip and the rates get lower and I always find that site to be the cheapest. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

I think a lot of people underestimate the importance of a decent car rental experience. I'm willing to pay a few extra dollars at National to save myself the inevitable hassle that comes with a budget car rental agency. Having said that, car rentals are not my forte. We've stopped renting almost altogether in Vegas, figuring that we can grab an Uber when the need arises. The whole process gets me aggravated...

Some people swear by Silvercar. The one time that I used them, I had a good experience, but that was in Phoenix. I'm hoping that they will gain critical mass at some point.

A lot of the frequent flyer community uses Auto Slash, which promises to let you know when prices drop. I've never used them.

We use Mr. Rebates when we are booking cars. They usually give a slight rebate and have some decent coupons.

I'm curious as to what hints others have.

Mike

Michael, I am curious as to why you never use AutoSlash. I personally have had nothing but good success using them. Last trip, I rented with National thru AutoSlash - one of the nicest (4000 miles) cars that I have rented in a long time. 

I've used AutoSlash a couple times, and as you suggest, they offer to track a booked refundable rental until travel dates ( if prices drop, they'll alert you). I agree, it's a reasonable alternative.

Truthfully, it's because I forget to. I only rent cars once or twice per year and have simply forgotten. Everything that I have heard about them has been positive.

Mike