Discussion
Sounds good guys - will check it all out.
As for the $20 dollar trick - there are loads of reviews on-line showing that people have successfully used it at the Ventian for a room upgrade - I will definitely try it but given we're in the Palazzo I trust that we will be pleased with our room anyway (not that we plan to be in it much!) :-)
As for the $20 dollar trick - there are loads of reviews on-line showing that people have successfully used it at the Ventian for a room upgrade - I will definitely try it but given we're in the Palazzo I trust that we will be pleased with our room anyway (not that we plan to be in it much!) :-)
HotJambalaya said:
the problem is with those people is that a lot of them haven't done their homework, they think they've got an upgrade when the check in agent says they've given them a better view (which some hotels do charge extra for) but the room is the same and they might have got that room anyway. Read the reviews carefully and see that half of them say "oooh we got a room high up with a view, and a voucher booklet for discount pizza". Very very few are legit room upgrades. Look up the room you've booked online, and then check what is the next category in size from that. When you slide the money over (under the credit card) ask specifically by name for that room.
The other thing to note, is that a bump up for room upgrades is much much easier on short stays, like midweek for a couple of days, a 10 day trip is long and much much harder to swing, so on longer stays always use more, just think of the average over the trip, do you really think that $2 a day is going to get you a kick ass suite? I'd also play the "we're here to get married" card.
-these kickbacks are generally well regimented also, with either staff pooling them and/or supervisors taking a cut also.
Edit: sorry in case there was ambiguity in my earlier post, the bribe works, my original post might have made it look like it doesn't. Im just saying the $20 trick isn't $20 anymore, and especially for a trip that long!
Thanks for this info! The other thing to note, is that a bump up for room upgrades is much much easier on short stays, like midweek for a couple of days, a 10 day trip is long and much much harder to swing, so on longer stays always use more, just think of the average over the trip, do you really think that $2 a day is going to get you a kick ass suite? I'd also play the "we're here to get married" card.
-these kickbacks are generally well regimented also, with either staff pooling them and/or supervisors taking a cut also.
Edit: sorry in case there was ambiguity in my earlier post, the bribe works, my original post might have made it look like it doesn't. Im just saying the $20 trick isn't $20 anymore, and especially for a trip that long!
Edited by HotJambalaya on Thursday 10th April 13:25
We are in a luxury suite which is the standard offering I believe. Looking at the Palazzo's website it would appear that the Fortuna suite would be the next step up.
So, hand over the money as above and say, "hi, we're hear to get married, very excited etc etc. and we were wondering if there was any chance of a comp upgrade to a fortuna suite?" I'm cringing writing it never mind saying it! (rubbish at that sort of thing) but just to clarify, $20 isn't going to cut it? If I knew 100% $50 would secure it then obviously I'd hand it over but I'm a tad concerned that they wouldn't be able to do it for us but keep the money anyway lol
HotJambalaya said:
Martin_M said:
So, hand over the money as above and say, "hi, we're hear to get married, very excited etc etc. and we were wondering if there was any chance of a comp upgrade to a fortuna suite?" I'm cringing writing it never mind saying it! (rubbish at that sort of thing) but just to clarify, $20 isn't going to cut it? If I knew 100% $50 would secure it then obviously I'd hand it over but I'm a tad concerned that they wouldn't be able to do it for us but keep the money anyway lol
well I'd drop it into the conversation, vegas has a heap of weddings every day, so its not that unusual, I'd say something like "we're so excited, first time here and getting married, say, any chance you can bump us up to the fortuna suite?" while you're saying that last part, put your credit card on the counter with the $50 poking out, MAKING SURE SHE SEES THE MONEY!, everyone's there for some celebration or another. $20 isn't going to cut it, try $50, but take the money back if they can't hook it up!Trustmeimadoctor said:
too late to change unfortunately its been booked for about 14 months now will just take a punt on a $100 trick
the in-laws stand a better chance as its their ruby anniversary
Pretty much every vegas hotel has cancellation up to 24 hours before with no penalty. I'd try booking the new room rate, and then just cancel the old one if it works outthe in-laws stand a better chance as its their ruby anniversary
Well this thread has rapidly gone downhill. Thanks to those of you who have provided some really valuable info - my fiancee and I now have an impressive itinerary and a growing document full of hints and tips.
As for the Palazzo - $20 dollar 'trick' or not, hopefully we'll love it, not that we plan to spend a lot of time in the room. The reviews appear to be excellent on the whole so we will keep our fingers crossed.
If anyone has further hints and tips regarding attractions or eateries please feel free to post up.
Cheers and thanks again,
Martin
As for the Palazzo - $20 dollar 'trick' or not, hopefully we'll love it, not that we plan to spend a lot of time in the room. The reviews appear to be excellent on the whole so we will keep our fingers crossed.
If anyone has further hints and tips regarding attractions or eateries please feel free to post up.
Cheers and thanks again,
Martin
Viper_Larry said:
The $20 trick worked for us at the Bellagio last week. Handed over $20 with my ID and asked for any complimentary or fountain view upgrades (we just had a standard room booked). She gave us a fountain view room at the front of the hotel - awesome room! However, this was at 3pm Sunday afternoon, at 9pm when my sister checked in, they had nothing available and the trick didn't work. Guess a lot depends on the time you check in and what they have available then. It was so much busier than I remember from 10 years ago though, Vegas is never quiet...
Interesting...did your sister get the $20 back?Crossflow Kid said:
Air-conditioned to the point of being noticeably cold at times.
Even the sidewalks have cold air blasting over them in places.
Amazing.Even the sidewalks have cold air blasting over them in places.
Can anyone tell me if there are a lot of jewellers in Vegas?
I'm considering buying my wedding band over there in the hope I can get a higher quality ring for a lot less £££ or $$$ as the case may be.
We arrive on the Sunday and get married on the Thursday so I guess we would have enough time to find me one!
edit: I really don't want to spend more than £400 here as my fiancee's ring was a fortune lol...I'm hoping I could bag something worth maybe double the price for half the money in Vegas.
Edited by Martin_M on Sunday 11th May 15:48
Saleen836 said:
Martin_M said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Air-conditioned to the point of being noticeably cold at times.
Even the sidewalks have cold air blasting over them in places.
Amazing.Even the sidewalks have cold air blasting over them in places.
Can anyone tell me if there are a lot of jewellers in Vegas?
I'm considering buying my wedding band over there in the hope I can get a higher quality ring for a lot less £££ or $$$ as the case may be.
We arrive on the Sunday and get married on the Thursday so I guess we would have enough time to find me one!
edit: I really don't want to spend more than £400 here as my fiancee's ring was a fortune lol...I'm hoping I could bag something worth maybe double the price for half the money in Vegas.
Edited by Martin_M on Sunday 11th May 15:48
As for tipping, maybe it's just me, but I don't really see the point in tipping in Vegas unless it's going to benefit us in some way. Why tip someone behind a bar? Granted, at home I leave a tip if I'm eating out and have had good food and a good service etc. but I don't intend to tip all and sundry just for the hell of it. Maybe I sound tight but I don't fancy going on holiday to throw money at every person I encounter...tell me I'm wrong lol
*Badger* said:
I've been to Vegas twice in 7 months, mostly for good food and shows, its an amazing place.
I've just returned from another week there, so will review what I did on both trips and if it helps anyone then great.
The $20 trick worked for me in the MGM but not in the Cosmo.
The MGM was significantly cheaper than the Cosmo for the room and tbh taking everything into consideration I'd stay at the MGM again first. Rooms/service we experienced was nearly identical.
Shows
Britney Spears - Utter trash, the Mrs wanted to go, the show was well put together and I can appreciate it for that but the content was trash! (110 each)
"O" - Brilliant. If you see one Cirque De Soleil then make O near the top of your list. (90 each)
Michael Jackson - One - Brilliant, its another Cirque De Soleil and if your a fan of his music then you'll love it. (90 each)
Ka - another Cirque De Soleil, I've genuinely no idea what the story was, but the staging/performance element of the show was fantastic. (60 each)
Chris Angel - Believe - What a brilliantly arrogant talented self loving tosser he is! Really good illusions. Just liked to sell himself too much without a real need. (50 each)
Raiding The Rock Vault - A load of old but genuine pop stars telling the story of rock and roll through music, pretty decent. (30 each)
Rock Of Ages - Its a musical, but it has plenty of innuendo and its a worthy watch tbh. (45 each)
Penn & Teller - Brilliant magicians, so many good tricks. (50 each)
Trips
Hoover Dam Express Tour - The "tour" element was a bit hit and miss, but hoover dam in itself is impressive and from an engineering perspective it has to be appreciated.
Grand Canyon - Maverick Helicopters - Awesome, its a one in a lifetime thing to fly over and into the canyon, its not cheap but worthy.
Food
I know why Americans are FATTY FATTY BUM BUMS.
Milos @ Cosmo - $22 lunch deal, very nice, but when you've added drinks and food supplements as we did and a tip, it totalled $125, but worth it.
Triple George Grill - Downtown - What a find! One of if not the best piece of Filet I've had and cooked to perfection, sides, starters, service all top notch. (around $100 for 2)
Baacchanal Buffett - Caesers - One of the best buffets in Vegas, so much variety and very good quality. (40 each)
Texas De Brazil - a couple of miles beyond Mandalay Bay so a little out of town, awesome. Its a Brazilian steakhouse, and its good! ($130 inc drinks for 2)
Mirage Buffet - Good quality food, but the service/staff/setup/ambience is missing, reflected in price at $35 each incl. champagne!
"Jasmine" Champagne Buffet @ Bellagio - Awesome, posh nosh, well worth the price tag ($80 each + tip), unlimited champagne.
Peppermill - Awesome, massive portions of tasty good at locals prices.
Gilleys - a close second to Peppermill on the tasty/price element.
Cosmo "Wicked Spoon" Buffet - Up there with Baacchanal at Caesers, lots of variety and all good tasty food.
Hash House @ The Quad - Its been on Man Vs Food and the portions are HUGE.
Heart Attack Grill - Downtown, Its been on Man Vs Food and the portions are as HUGE as you want them to be, but its no fine dining!
Hope this helps someone/anyone!
Think we'll leave it a couple of years before going again, but we will definitely return.
Very useful - thanks for taking the time!I've just returned from another week there, so will review what I did on both trips and if it helps anyone then great.
The $20 trick worked for me in the MGM but not in the Cosmo.
The MGM was significantly cheaper than the Cosmo for the room and tbh taking everything into consideration I'd stay at the MGM again first. Rooms/service we experienced was nearly identical.
Shows
Britney Spears - Utter trash, the Mrs wanted to go, the show was well put together and I can appreciate it for that but the content was trash! (110 each)
"O" - Brilliant. If you see one Cirque De Soleil then make O near the top of your list. (90 each)
Michael Jackson - One - Brilliant, its another Cirque De Soleil and if your a fan of his music then you'll love it. (90 each)
Ka - another Cirque De Soleil, I've genuinely no idea what the story was, but the staging/performance element of the show was fantastic. (60 each)
Chris Angel - Believe - What a brilliantly arrogant talented self loving tosser he is! Really good illusions. Just liked to sell himself too much without a real need. (50 each)
Raiding The Rock Vault - A load of old but genuine pop stars telling the story of rock and roll through music, pretty decent. (30 each)
Rock Of Ages - Its a musical, but it has plenty of innuendo and its a worthy watch tbh. (45 each)
Penn & Teller - Brilliant magicians, so many good tricks. (50 each)
Trips
Hoover Dam Express Tour - The "tour" element was a bit hit and miss, but hoover dam in itself is impressive and from an engineering perspective it has to be appreciated.
Grand Canyon - Maverick Helicopters - Awesome, its a one in a lifetime thing to fly over and into the canyon, its not cheap but worthy.
Food
I know why Americans are FATTY FATTY BUM BUMS.
Milos @ Cosmo - $22 lunch deal, very nice, but when you've added drinks and food supplements as we did and a tip, it totalled $125, but worth it.
Triple George Grill - Downtown - What a find! One of if not the best piece of Filet I've had and cooked to perfection, sides, starters, service all top notch. (around $100 for 2)
Baacchanal Buffett - Caesers - One of the best buffets in Vegas, so much variety and very good quality. (40 each)
Texas De Brazil - a couple of miles beyond Mandalay Bay so a little out of town, awesome. Its a Brazilian steakhouse, and its good! ($130 inc drinks for 2)
Mirage Buffet - Good quality food, but the service/staff/setup/ambience is missing, reflected in price at $35 each incl. champagne!
"Jasmine" Champagne Buffet @ Bellagio - Awesome, posh nosh, well worth the price tag ($80 each + tip), unlimited champagne.
Peppermill - Awesome, massive portions of tasty good at locals prices.
Gilleys - a close second to Peppermill on the tasty/price element.
Cosmo "Wicked Spoon" Buffet - Up there with Baacchanal at Caesers, lots of variety and all good tasty food.
Hash House @ The Quad - Its been on Man Vs Food and the portions are HUGE.
Heart Attack Grill - Downtown, Its been on Man Vs Food and the portions are as HUGE as you want them to be, but its no fine dining!
Hope this helps someone/anyone!
Think we'll leave it a couple of years before going again, but we will definitely return.
With regard to the $20 trick not working in the Cosmo - what exactly did they say etc. did they keep the money or did you take it back?
*Badger* said:
Martin_M said:
Very useful - thanks for taking the time!
With regard to the $20 trick not working in the Cosmo - what exactly did they say etc. did they keep the money or did you take it back?
As the Cosmo was a more expensive hotel I had $40 between our passports, the guy on check in did seem to check and did go and ask his manager to see if they had anything available. I offered to up the tip to $60 to see if that would work but he kept saying nothing was available. In the end he offered me an upgrade to a suite for $75 per night but as we were staying a week that's more than I wanted to spend so I declined. He gave us a Bellagio fountain view in a standard room and I took the tip back.With regard to the $20 trick not working in the Cosmo - what exactly did they say etc. did they keep the money or did you take it back?
In the MGM, flashed $20, asked for complimentary upgrades, no problem, standard to King Room.
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