Vegas, July 27 - August 3

A short synopsis of my long awaited visit to Vegas. I had rescheduled my trip 5 times, all without any upcharges by Southwest. Flew from Houston non stop on Southwest with no issues. Southwest is my choice for flying, I know what I am getting and have never been disappointed. The aircraft was exceptionally clean - the cleanest airplane I have ever flown in over 30 years. There were 95 passengers on both flights (out of 175 seats) and all middle seats were unoccupied. They served ice water and a small bag of mix. During my week stay, I stayed at the Sun Coast for 3 days, then the South Point for 2 days, and then back to the Sun Coast for 2 more days - all comped. These are my favorite casinos. The South Point was constantly being cleaned and everyone working there was very helpful and courteous. The buffet was great and easy to use. I don't understand why other casinos do not copy what the South Point does with it's buffet. My choice of gambling is video poker and I came home a winner, a small winner, but a winner just the same. Every trip I rent a car, this time for $161.00, all in with Fox ( reservation thru AuroSlash). Almost everyone in the casinos wore a mask, with just a few letting their mask rest below their nose and/or mouth. The most inconsiderate ones there were the smokers. They blew their smoke where ever, without concern for others. Some things/people never change. I enjoyed my stay more than I thought I would. All employees were, as I stated, very helpful, polite and apparently happy to be back working. Though the weather was very hot, it was always 70 or so degrees cold in the casinos. I have been back 5 days now without any symptoms of becoming ill. I have another trip planned later this month and feel that if one takes the proper precautions, they can avoid becoming ill - just my opinion. I hope this report has been helpful to those who may be considering visiting Vegas.

Thanks for the report.   Very encouraging about your flight and casino experiences.  Glad you came home a winner!

Candy

David, your experience was like mine - be careful, try to social distance and wear a mask, and you'll be ok.  I've tested negative for COVID since I returned on June 29th.  If work would stop getting in the way, I'd like to post a short trip report.

Tommy

There's no assurance that "you'll be ok." With just a couple of days in Vegas, you'll be subjected to potential infections from thousands of people. Not only that, but a casino is an extremely dangerous environment for infection. It's proportionately worse if a substantial number of people are smoking.

The CDC has said that as many as ten times the number of confirmed cases could actually exist in the US. That would work out to 47 million---most of whom, of course, would be asymptomatic. So that means that about one in seven people are carrying the virus right now.

A mask provides you with about 40% protection, depending on its quality and how you use it.

So, do the math. How many people will you come within six feet of during your trip? Include those who are farther away but whose cigarette smoke you breathe. Now divide that number by seven. Multiply that number by 0.4. The answer--which should be at least 100 or so--is the number of chances you have to get infected, if you wear a mask at all times.

I would say that the advantage play is to not take a Vegas trip during the pandemic. The numbers say that it is seriously -EV to go there, now, or in the near future. I can have fun other ways. So can everyone else.

And even if I don't give a damn about my own health, I don't want to help out the virus by spreading it. I would absolutely self-quarantine for 14 days on returning from a Vegas trip, but no one's going to do that. Better to not go in the first place.

Thanks for the report.  I've heard nothing but good things about the South Point.  Plan on dropping in passing thru the end of August.

FYI - I returned on the 3rd and plan on returning the 19th. During this time frame I am doing what I have done since the middle of March, which is, staying home and only going out to grocery shop when the stores are not crowded. This time frame will serve as my quarantine period. 

Thanks for your TR, good info for future travelers, going to Vegas Sept 24, from a neighbor up the road at Smithville Tx, again Thanks.

Appreciate the reports here. I am looking to come to Vegas in Sept for 4 or 5 days. I have comp rooms waiting for me at some Strip hotels (Paris, MGM Grand etc) and GVR. My wifes concerns are like Mr Lewis's comments above but she is allowing me to go on my own (A hall pass finally at 66...yeah) so I was wondering for those who have been recently whether they felt "safe" as long as you take to CDC precautions of masks etc?? Any comments would help.  Thanks

Terry

Terry - if I may, I avoided the strip, there are just too many knuckleheads there for my liking. GVR sounds good but I can't advise one way or another about the Paris or MGM Grand. I stayed at the Sun Coast and at South Point during my week there and felt very safe and comfortable. I hope this information is useful. 

I agree, we stayed away from the strip and downtown staying way out at Aliante and just short visits at locals casinos. I too would consider GVR but not the rest for us.