Trip Itinerary 7 nights in Las Vegas beginning October 1st
T-7 days and counting:
My last Vegas trip was September 2014 for seven days. This trip will also be seven days with my wife to celebrate our 11th anniversary. We’re leaving next Thursday night from Boston non-stop via Spirit Airlines and getting in about 10:30 PM and renting a mid-size SUV via Dollar Express for the week. In the past we have traveled Southwest Air (but no direct flights exist anymore), and more recently Jet Blue (but their rates are up by about 50% from last year plus baggage fees have been added). At Spirit Air, I found direct roundtrip flights for $600 total for the two of us including various baggage fees, seat selection fees, etc., etc., while Jet Blue wanted about $1,300 for the same flights. Sure we’ll have to pay for drinks and snacks, but for half the price of Jet Blue, I think I can afford to pay $20 to $40 for ala carte soft drinks and snacks onboard.
After getting the rental car, we’ll head to Green Valley Ranch where we are staying for just one night (got a good rate of about $85 through Kayak via reservetravel.com. We might get a late bite at the GVR Grand Café before hitting the hay (ACG $10 off $20). We may hit the Café again in the late morning for breakfast/lunch (ACG $10 off $20) and play some video poker there. After checking out, will then check into a one-bedroom timeshare condo (via an RCI trade) at Grandview Resort (next to Southpoint on LV Blvd.) for the next six nights.
Entertainment
Friday night we are seeing Herman’s Hermits at the Golden Nugget. Saturday night we have tickets for Ray Romano at the Mirage. The other nights will likely get Tix4tonite tickets to see Brad Garrett, The Improv at Harrah’s, Mat Franco, Murray the Celebrity Magician, or the FAB at Mizuya Lounge at Mandalay Bay (no cover) unless something more compelling comes up.
With my wife during the afternoons will do some pool time, shopping, grab some free slot play here and there, and may check out the Neon Museum, Pinball HOF, the Quad Auto Collection, Rick’s Restoration, or “Tanked” headquarters.
Gambling
The vast majority of my gambling will be alone in the mornings. I have matchplays and freeplays (MPs and FPs) from ACG, LVA MRB, and other sources My most extensive coupon/freeplay run will be near strip and include Gold Coast, Palms, Ellis Island, Tuscany, Hooters, and Orleans, and will also include Wincard deals at Mandalay Bay and Circus Circus. One morning, I’ll also do a downtown MP/FP coupon run including The Plaza, Golden Gate, Binions, 4Queen’s, Downtown Grand, The D, and ElCo.
Besides coupon runs, I’m planning to try playing $0.25 x 10 coin FP Deuces Wild (FPDW) VP at the Skyline Casino in Henderson (until the old coin-droppers and smoke become unbearable). Regardless, will definitely play a good amount of 50c Aces & Eight’s progressive VP at Circus Circus (CC); 25c FPDW and LDW VP at GVR; 25c LDW VP at Westgate; and 25c Pick-A-Pair (aka Pick’Em) VP at the Fremont.
Food
I have a $50 gift certificate plus a $10 discount coupon for Maggiano’s at the Fashion Show Mall. I will also likely use an LVA MRB $10 off at GVR’s Grand Café, MRB 2-for-1 buffet coupons at Mirage, GVR, and Cosmo and might hit Grand Luxe, the Peppermill, Earl of Sandwich, Palm’s 24/7 Café, and Settebello’s or Pizza Rock. Our last night if I’ve accrued enough player’s points at Circus Circus, my wife and I might hit the CC Steakhouse for a “point-comped” steak dinner.
Will send a trip report upon return.
ST
T-7 days and counting:
My last Vegas trip was September 2014 for seven days. This trip will also be seven days with my wife to celebrate our 11th anniversary. We’re leaving next Thursday night from Boston non-stop via Spirit Airlines and getting in about 10:30 PM and renting a mid-size SUV via Dollar Express for the week. In the past we have traveled Southwest Air (but no direct flights exist anymore), and more recently Jet Blue (but their rates are up by about 50% from last year plus baggage fees have been added). At Spirit Air, I found direct roundtrip flights for $600 total for the two of us including various baggage fees, seat selection fees, etc., etc., while Jet Blue wanted about $1,300 for the same flights. Sure we’ll have to pay for drinks and snacks, but for half the price of Jet Blue, I think I can afford to pay $20 to $40 for ala carte soft drinks and snacks onboard.
After getting the rental car, we’ll head to Green Valley Ranch where we are staying for just one night (got a good rate of about $85 through Kayak via reservetravel.com. We might get a late bite at the GVR Grand Café before hitting the hay (ACG $10 off $20). We may hit the Café again in the late morning for breakfast/lunch (ACG $10 off $20) and play some video poker there. After checking out, will then check into a one-bedroom timeshare condo (via an RCI trade) at Grandview Resort (next to Southpoint on LV Blvd.) for the next six nights.
Entertainment
Friday night we are seeing Herman’s Hermits at the Golden Nugget. Saturday night we have tickets for Ray Romano at the Mirage. The other nights will likely get Tix4tonite tickets to see Brad Garrett, The Improv at Harrah’s, Mat Franco, Murray the Celebrity Magician, or the FAB at Mizuya Lounge at Mandalay Bay (no cover) unless something more compelling comes up.
With my wife during the afternoons will do some pool time, shopping, grab some free slot play here and there, and may check out the Neon Museum, Pinball HOF, the Quad Auto Collection, Rick’s Restoration, or “Tanked” headquarters.
Gambling
The vast majority of my gambling will be alone in the mornings. I have matchplays and freeplays (MPs and FPs) from ACG, LVA MRB, and other sources My most extensive coupon/freeplay run will be near strip and include Gold Coast, Palms, Ellis Island, Tuscany, Hooters, and Orleans, and will also include Wincard deals at Mandalay Bay and Circus Circus. One morning, I’ll also do a downtown MP/FP coupon run including The Plaza, Golden Gate, Binions, 4Queen’s, Downtown Grand, The D, and ElCo.
Besides coupon runs, I’m planning to try playing $0.25 x 10 coin FP Deuces Wild (FPDW) VP at the Skyline Casino in Henderson (until the old coin-droppers and smoke become unbearable). Regardless, will definitely play a good amount of 50c Aces & Eight’s progressive VP at Circus Circus (CC); 25c FPDW and LDW VP at GVR; 25c LDW VP at Westgate; and 25c Pick-A-Pair (aka Pick’Em) VP at the Fremont.
Food
I have a $50 gift certificate plus a $10 discount coupon for Maggiano’s at the Fashion Show Mall. I will also likely use an LVA MRB $10 off at GVR’s Grand Café, MRB 2-for-1 buffet coupons at Mirage, GVR, and Cosmo and might hit Grand Luxe, the Peppermill, Earl of Sandwich, Palm’s 24/7 Café, and Settebello’s or Pizza Rock. Our last night if I’ve accrued enough player’s points at Circus Circus, my wife and I might hit the CC Steakhouse for a “point-comped” steak dinner.
Will send a trip report upon return.
ST
