Before I start talking about November promotions, I need to give you a heads-up about an important December note. You may have heard for years that December is the best time to go to Las Vegas if you are looking for bargain room rates. That is still true but only if you are talking about the last half of the month. While the National Finals Rodeo is in town – this year from December 5th through the 14th – room rates skyrocket, at least double and many triple in price.
This is a phenomenon called surge pricing, something you need to consider all year long when you are booking a Las Vegas stay. Room rates are definitely not static. Some visitors are more familiar with higher rates during holiday periods, but they can also occur during big convention dates. It pays to check the schedule you can find at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Now for November news and promotions. But first, a note about all the promotions I mention here in my blog. I usually give just a summary, with some of the basic details. But I do not always mention every single limitation or exclusion. So, to get complete information you must go to the casino websites, where hopefully all the fine-print warnings will be given. However, sometimes you eventually need to actually show up at the players club desk to check on specifics and see if there are any last-minute changes.
South Point is running one of my favorite promotions this month – with your players club points worth twice their regular value for Amazon gift cards. You can earn up to a total of ten $50 cards by redeeming $25 in players club points for each card, and this is equivalent to double points during your earning period.
Arizona Charlies Decatur – I am hearing reports – and complaints – about major downgrades in this casino –both in the VP paytables and in the players club and comp benefits. The only positive thing I hear is that there are some good food specials, especially for breakfast in their coffee shop.
Gold Coast – “Get Your Grub On” buffet special every Tuesday in November. Earn 10 tier credits and get a free buffet. After you play, print out your voucher at the kiosk; it is good that day or save it and use it the next day. And by the way, the voucher you get on Wednesday’s Young at Heart for the free breakfast or lunch can also be saved to use the next day.
El Cortez – Just saw an ad in the R-J about this check-cashing promotion, one that I think has been going on for quite a while. But perhaps some have missed it.
Cash any Tax Return, Government Check, or Payroll check from any Clark County Gaming property and receive 5% off your check in free play, up to $50. Must be a Club Cortez member. For promotion details, see posted rules at Casino Cage/Slot Club.
And now for a non-casino freebie/discount:
Mob Museum: To celebrate Kefauver Day, Nov. 15, The Mob Museum announces FREE admission (9 am to 9 pm) for Nevada residents and buy one admission, get one free for non-residents, sponsored by Zappos. Throughout the year, it extends free admission to Nevada residents through designated annual Free Days. Check it out here.
Lots of food and gambling promos coming up for Veterans Day, the 11th, and Thanksgiving, the 28th. I’ll cover them next week when I have gathered more details.
The EC check cashing promotion is a good one. You need to give them some good play though. If you hit and run, they will not let you do the promo again-ever. Also, I think they will only let you do it once per year.
Kevin Lewis, it’s a new thing called Supply and Demand, it’s all the rage these days
The other feature that has disappeared from December in Vegas (apparently) is the lull between Christmas and New Year’s. In the past, I’ve found very low room rates from the 25th through the 29th. No mas! I used to visit regularly and decompress for a few days after suffering through Xmas with Drunk Uncle Johnny et al.
It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, that Vegas on New Year’s Eve is a horrible ripoff and a cesspool of insanity. It’s like being in a food riot in Bangladesh. And you pay $1500 to stay for the holiday weekend (if you book far in advance; otherwise, $2500).
I have never understood the rationale for hotel/casinos to jack up their rates every time there’s a “special event” in town, even if they’re nowhere near those events. It’s seeming more and more like a pretext to me. But of course…the lemmings keep flooding in. There seems to be no real price resistance in the Vegas tourist market.
Thanks for the info. We’re at Gold Coast for the week.