Poll : 03 October - 16 October 2012

Analysis

This was an interesting poll and the results should provide some useful ammo for when we're negotiating the Member Rewards package of offers for 2013.

Each year, we're canvassed by single travelers frustrated by the absence of coupons and other deals that are more flexible than the standard 2-for-1, but it's an uphill struggle persuading many venues to go that route. With a restaurant, for example, there are economies of scale and efficient use of space to consider: If your restaurant is busy, you don't want lots of tables taken up by single diners, when you could have four covers occupuying the same spot and sharing one bread basket between them, for example.

Still, we totally sympathize with those of you who make the point that surely one body is better than none, and that with the active community LVA readers comprise -- posting on our forums, adding comments and ratings throughout the website, posting trip reports, and just generally spreading the word to fellow Vegas fans -- one happy LVA customer could well be a much better proposition than a party of four coupon hit-and-runners who don't care about mutual back-scratching or loyalty and will head somewhere else next time if it has a coupon.

Bottom line, each year we try to get as many flexible offers as we can, aiming for deals that constitute a fixed percentage or dollar-amount off, instead of 2-for-1 deals, and each year we get mixed results. Things seemed to be moving to the advantage of singletons a few years back, then the economy seemed to reverse that trend and send vendors scuttling back to the familiar security of twofers. The model popularized by Groupon et al., however, where properties are now often willing to offer a "spend $10 for $20-worth"-type deal may have opened things up again somewhat over the past 12 months. Time will tell, and all we can do is try our best. Thanks to all who took part; here's some of your specific feedback:

• "I really appreciate all the coupons that have the solo dining option. When I travel solo I put a check next to all the things I can do alone. But I definitely wish there more! Thanks."
  
  
• "About 80% of my trips are as part of a couple, but the other trips are girlfriend getaways. We often have 3 of us, and last Dec we had an issue with the Mirage, as our 3rd (with her own book) found someone to share the coupon with, but the cashier would not allow it as they would not be seated together. My husband and I also sometime arrive or leave a day or two off from each other depending on our schedules, so that would also be a time that the solo would be helpful (and I do more gambling when i"m on my own, so show me some coupon love, casinos!) We live in Oregon, and come down 2-3 times per year."
  
  
• "As a frequent traveler to Las Vegas and almost always solo, the majority of coupons do not work for me. I really appreciate the ones that offer an option to the single member. The BOGO offers that also offer 50% off for a single are great. Occasionally, I make a deal with a couple in line with me to use my coupon for them and let them just purchase one ticket. Often, though, they think I'm trying to scam them or they have promos of their own."
  
  
• "I answered with "50/50" on whether my trips to Vegas are solo or if I go with someone else. I wanted to clarify: I'm not married, so while I can occasionally use 2-for-1 coupons with one of my friends (or co-workers when traveling on business), 50% off coupons would still be much more useful to me."
  
  
• "I am going more often solo lately but it's still about ½ group and ½ solo -- never with a couple as my husband hates Las Vegas. Often if I am in a group we have an odd number so a single option would be a big help. Love the [LVA Member Rewards] book. I got great use out of it these last 2 trips. I printed several of the e coupons this last trip nice bonus."
  
  
• "Good poll question! As I almost always come alone: When I check for the NEW LVA Coupon Book, the first thing I look for after matchplay, is that 'or 50% off' designation. Thank you for your great site. Look forward to the new Member Rewards Book."
  
  
• "I voted on your latest poll and I am one person that travels to the Las Vegas area alone very often and who used to buy the coupon book. My main reason that I don't buy it anymore is that there are too many 2-for-1 offers, which I can't use. If you could at least have a dollar figure off the purchase for a single use would be helpful or at a minimum half off the purchase of a buffet. If there were more items that gave a choice for a single purchase discount, I would buy the 2013 coupon book."
  
  
• "Seems to me that if you just made the coupons 50% off up to 2 people, that would serve couples and singles equally. Make it up to 4 and REALLY make people happy! :)"
  
  
• "On the poll today - often I visit with my brother and sister-in-law as the "third wheel," so to speak. I can tell you (and you can tell the sponsors of your coupons) more than a few times we have not gone to a location because the 2-for-1 coupon we both had could not be used as a single. My brother and SIL are disappointed because they feel it would be unfair to me for them to be able to use a coupon when I cannot, and I'm disappointed because I feel like I'm holding them back and that I'm being excluded by the sponsor. Why would they want to exclude a huge potential base of customers?"