Not your usual trip report

   I returned from 12 days in Vegas last Friday and thought I would list some things one might consider doing before their next trip tp Vegas. (1)- Plan ahead. I start checking airfare daily (I only fly Southwest). If you fly Southwest, they have a feature called the Low Fare Calendar which allows one to check pricing throughout a month (and for several future months) for tickets. Try it, it is informative and may save you money by planning/purchasing ahead. I personally like to book an early morning non-stop flight to Vegas and I book the last non -stop flight when returning home. I have never had a lost bag in over 30 years when flying non-stop. As a bonus, if you keep checking and find a lower fare for your previously selected dates, you can make a change and get credit for the money you save when you rebook the same date - and the money you save will be there for you to use for future flights - all at no cost for a change fee. Secondly, if you have to cancel your flight, you can, and the funds will be there available to use at a later date (they will be there available for 12 months), all at no charge. Also, Southwest does not charge for 2 checked bags. (2)- Rental car reservation. I use Autoslash.com - and I keep rechecking the quoted car rental fares almost daily. Some prefer Costco, Priceline, ect, but I almost always get the best/cheapest quotes from AutoSlash. If nothing else, checking with AutoSlash will give one an idea as to what the rental car rates are and can be used to compare with whatever car rental source one likes. (3).- I like using off airport sites to park my car when I fly. Luckily the site I prefer to use is just across form the airport and it only takes about 5 minutes to get to the airport. (4)- I prefer a window seat on the right side of the aircraft as it allows me to see Vegas as the plane is landing - and also there is a good view of the Grand Canyon as the plane nears Vegas. (5). To make my seat more confortable, I have purchased a seat cushion (that fits folded in my carry on) and I never have to worry about the comfort of my seat. Also, Amazon sells an item called Airplane Pockets that fits snugly on the tray table allowing me to use the pockets to store my cellphone, glasses, tablet ect. without using the sometimes nasty seatback storage pouch. Check it out, you might find it useful. (6) - I pack  (A)- zip lock bags, in assorted sizes. (B)- flip flop shower shoes - we all have experience showers/tubs that do not drain when being used. After bathing, I rinse the shower shoes off and then they are ready to be used again in a clean condition. (7) - When gambling, I like to get bottles of water from the wait staff when I order a drink, which I take to my room to use for making coffee and for general use. 8) - upon check in, I ask for 2 room keys, one which goes into my wallet and the other in my back pocket.I also take a picture on my cell phone of my room number. (9) - Using my rental car, I utilize the bonus point days at other casinos and whatever coupons they honor. Doing so gets me on the radar of other casinos and has been helpful for receiving room offers and other offers/promotions from these casinos.-- There are many other things I do to make my Vegas trips as inexpensive and enjoyable as possible.I hope the information I have provide here will help others when going to Vegas. These things I have listed here have saved me a lot of money and headaches. 

I like SWA for all the things you mentioned. 

Another tip/warning:  If you book more than one person on a reservation online, e.g. husband and wife on same reservation, you cannot split it up using the online reservation system if, for instance, one person needs to cancel or wants to change their flight to another date.  You must call to cancel or change their flight, a minor inconvenience except for waiting on the phone.   Best to make separate reservations if that might be a problem.  I learned this when my husband had to cancel due to health problems, and I'd always booked us both on the same reservation.  

To counter waiting on the phone (which can be a long time), you can opt to be placed in the "que" and receive a call back instead of waiting on the phone.   And the agents are always so pleasant and easy to work with.  I find it better to wait until later in the day if I have to call the reservation system for any reason.

Still, this definitately outweighs the many positives of flying SWA.

Happy flying!

Candy

Dave, while I agree with your on many subjects, when I got to Vegas I just get drunk, gamble, and then go home.

Boilerman - fine, I list these things for any and all to consider. 

Nothing wrong with saving some money...especially in a town that is designed to take it from you.

Used to be you could pay for your rental car by chasing the off-strip matchplay coupons...and saving money at off strip restaurants (again with coupons).    Plus it was a fun way to explore the city.       

With rental cars now costing $500/week I dont think that is a fruitful exercise anymore.    

        My AutoSlash quote for Dec. 6 -16 = $369.00, all in.  Also, currently Autoslash is showing the next cheapest quote as being $508. thru Priceline. I like the $369. quote and I will keep checking til time to fly.

Update to car rental - I just booked my car for Dec. 6 -16 for $302, all in, a savings of $67.00 over my last lowest quote. I find it pays to keep checking for a car rental using AutoSlash.