Poll : 31 July - 14 August 2013

Analysis

Many thanks for all the interesting and diverse feedback -- it's good to learn that our readers are taking advantage of the full scope of options Las Vegas has to offer, and we're happy to learn our coupons are still helping many of you out -- that's what they're for! Speaking of which, data like this gives us great ammo re our readers spending habits, when it comes to negotiating next year's package, so thanks again:

• "My wife has it figured (on her spreadsheet) that if we have a 'bad' trip and don’t win any money it costs us $7,000 (at the most) to drive up to Vegas for a long weekend (5 nights, and she will spend about $1000 in the spa) We take a $5,000 line of credit at the casino that we are staying at (currently South Point, past LV Hilton) I’m a VP/craps player, while my wife is strictly VP. We go for events (like Josh Groban this October (have the tickets already) or Vegas Uncork’d) and have seen a few shows (Phantom, LOVE, etc) but usually go for a birthday or our anniversary (we figure we took the gamble to get married 30 years ago -- might as well bet on it) making 2 or 3 trips a year. Las Vegas was built mostly for people that don’t understand math. We understand how the game is played. Our last trip (July 3-7) cost $2,000 in markers, total hotel bill was $1100, (suite was comp) figure $300 in everything else (gas, tips, uncomp’d food) so way under budget. I count a comp as money won. Why I don’t join LVA is the coupons are only good if you jump around casinos, (I will not drive the Strip, too distracting) by playing at one casino (playing the comp game) we get free rooms/suites, discounts at the spa, casino host, etc. (I haven’t paid for a room in 10+ years) The LVA coupons would never get used (a friend actually gave us his because he couldn’t use them and we never used them, either). The only plans to leave South Point during our upcoming October trip (comp’d suite confirmed) is to go to the MGM Grand for the Josh Groban (2 on the aisle) concert.
  
  
• "As a Caesars Diamond player, most, if not all of my room, food, and beverage charges are taken care of by my host, as well as a free production show for two. So, the bulk of the $3-5,000 I take with me is for gambling, taxis, and any other purchases I may make. Tips usually amount to around $60 per trip, including food, drinks, and maid service."
  
  
• "While the bulk of my money is spent on gambling (slots) and dining, there will always be quite a bit spent on taxis, bus fares, and tips. Also included would be parking fares at local airport. I always take a little extra for emergencies, medicine, snacks, batteries, etc. I spend much more on food now than, say, 6-7 years ago. Try to use your coupons as often as possible but still spend a great deal more than I would like."
  
  
• "6 night trip, Wed-Tue, we take $400 each for gambling. We've never come home with less than half -- sometime's more than we took!! Woo-hoo!!"
  
  
• "$1,000-1,500 budget. Always one nice dinner (September will be trying the Ruth's Chris at Harrah's). One or two non-casino events/activities, like Red Rock, Old Nevada, Mob Museum etc. One show (this can vary), like the Cirque show at New York-New York. September will be Motley Crue. I love craft beer so I normally go to Big Dogs for a burger and beer."
  
  
• "I usually play poker tournaments while I’m here. The bulk of my bankroll goes toward entry fees (almost exclusively downtown)."
  
  
• " I separate money daily. I bring around $300 per day for gambling - VP/Slots mostly - plus whatever tours and special restaurants we're going to do. Our group tries new and old restaurants. We've also go on tours, ziplining, etc. We do some couponing (your coupon book is fab) which brings prices into more reasonable levels for us. On the other hand, none of us golf or go to strip clubs. That keeps our entertainment expenses down."
  
  
• "Since we are staying 4 to 7 days, most of our money ends up being spent in restaurants, usually coffee shops, etc., but we try to splurge once for a mid-week lunch at the Bellagio buffet and a few non-casino places we like. We bring our kids (who always have fun), but we are in Vegas, so our next biggest line item is babysitting, usually at the Orleans' Kids Tyme and/or with a babysitter who comes to our hotel room. Using coupons and keeping away from the Strip most of the time, we can usually keep other incidentals fairly manageable. We drive our own car and stay off-strip in the middle of summer, so the 'non-disposable' costs are relatively low - and sometimes negative, depending on what postcards we receive from slot clubs. "