Final thoughts
Fremont Street:
I remember when the Fremont street was an actual street. I also remember when the very first light show came out. I think the first one was my favorite. They also had the 99 cent shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate and the piano player there. Things have now changed, there are no light shows that I wish to see,anyway the view is now obstructed by the zip line. On my most recent visit, at least most of the costumed characters were gone from downtown. There is one accordian player downtown whose sign says he is a Vietnam Veteran. I don't know if this is true or not, but he plays pretty well I think, so I have given him a few dollars. He is usually if front of Binions. There is another man with white hair who is in the same general area, who has no performing talent, and has a sign that says "I'm Hungry". He must weigh close to 300 lbs. I doubt that he is hungry. The person I dislike the most is the electric saxaphone player. To me all it is is loud noise. For the most part, I walk through Fremont Street to get to where I am going as quickly as possible.
Miscellaneous Food thoughts:
I went to the White Castle downtown about midnight on a Sunday. It was packed. The sliders were O.K. if you have the late night munchies. At Main Street for the breakast Buffet, I try to avoid Manny the omlette guy. He has the same old jokes. One time he was too busy talking, and paying attention to waht he was doing and gave me the wrong omlette. I usally just get the scrambled eggs anyway as the omlette is too much for me to finish.
Las Vegas in general: When I first started going to Las Vegas, I was too young to be the targeted audience. Now I am too old. Most of the light shows at the FSE are targeted to young people. As an example I like the music they play at the El Cortez.
Credit Cards. I have two credit cards now that apply to Las Vegas. I have the Southwest Visa card, and recently obtained the Harrahs Total Rewards card Visa. Both are Visa Signature Cards.
The Southwest card in general reurns 1 point for every dollar spent. This multiplied for booking Southwest flights, vacation packages., and I think partner car rentals. The ponts are worth about 1.67% for the flight I typically take.There is a $59 renewal fee which gives 3000 points upon renewal. This would be worth about $50 for the flights I take. You can also renew for $99 which gets you 6000 points, this would be worth about $100. The good thing about the points earned by using the credit card is that points used on a flight if cancelled are just added back to your rapid rewards account. If you pay normally, if you cancel you have to use the credit within one year of purchase and keep track of the original confrimation number and be aware of how much credit you have.
The Harrahs Total Rewards Visa Card in general returns 1% back in comps for every dollar spent. You get 2 % for gas, groceries and airlines. 5% on sport, concert and show tickets. As soon as you join you are given Platinum status which allows free parking at Harrahs properties in Las Vegas.To maintain this status you need to spend at least $5,000 a year to maintain Platimum Status. If you are already at Platimum when you get the credit card you are given a buffet pass (an upgrade fee applies for the Ceasars Buffet). You can apply and receive the credit card at a Harrahs Casino.
Service seems to lacking a little using the Total Rewards Card. I used in Las Vegas at a grocery store in Las Vegas and was denied when I tried to use at at a hotel for the deposit. It is very hard to talk to a live person there. Southwest I just call to tell them I am travelling and have never had a problem. Imagine that, I have a Harrah's credit card that you can't use in Las Vegas.
Both of the cards are Visa Singature cards that come with certain benefits that come when you charge purchases on the card. Secondary auto coverage on rentals, lost baggage, extended warranties, one that you hope not to use is accidental death or dismemberment when using a common carrier. I requested a copy of these benefits to be sent to me. The benefits may be slightly different for the Harrahs Card. If you have a Visa signature card you can call 24 hours a day seven days a week 877-631-0919 for more information.
On the day when i ate at Binions Steakhouse, at the conclusion of the dinner the waiter whispered to me that I was wearing my polo shirt inside out. I had walked around all day like this. When i wash polo shirts, I sometimes turn them inside out. I had forgot to reverse the shirt. This is not the firat time I have done this and will probably not be the last time I do this.
One trip I forgot to bring my slippers to walk around the hotel room in. I bought a pair at the ABC store. Like everything else there it was overpriced, about $11.95 for the pair, but at least now I have a pair that I keep packed in my suitcase.
One time I got the bright idea to bring all my loose change from home, about $177.00 to the casino at the Four Queens to cash in. I divided this between my book bag and a suitcase. Besides being quite heavy, the TSA inspected both my suitcase amd my bookbag. Later I found out that if I roll the coins my local Chase Bank will accept them. I refuse to use a Coinstar Machine where they charge you.
For my next trip, I have planned four days at MSS, Siver Card, $75 in free play, 2 nights at Binions $80 free play, 3 nights at the 4 Queens,$300 free play $50 in food.
I have lately been staying at MSS because of the elevator work being done on the second floor of the California
If you have read any of these trip threads, i hope you have found someting of value in them. I encourage everyone to contribute to these forums when possible. Good luck to all.
