Lulu16

Aussies heading to Las Vegas next May. Having a couple of days in LV before taking off on a road trip around Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Bryce Canyon, Zion then back to LV for a few more days. We then fly to Vancouver for a couple of weeks before returning to LV for 3 more nights. Then it's home downunder. So....can anyone tell us if it is better to book LV well ahead or wait and try to pick up rooms nearer the date. We would like to go a little upmarket eg Wynn's, MGM Signature but need to get a 'special'. We are trying to avoid weekend pool party hotels but do want a lovely pool to cool off in. Also, are there any specific web sites for the flight - have tried www.farecompare.com, www.jetabroad.com and www.flightnetwork.com. Really appreciate any info.

Dukey1

www.kayak.com for flights but be aware that at least one "dominant" carrier in that market will be USAirways (through Phoenix) or possibly United airlines through another hub

in terms of Las Vegas on weekends. I suggest you prepare yourself because there is often a major influx of visitors from Los Angeles and other places on weekends in Las Vegas.

Assume you already know about this site: http://www.cheapovegas.com/

clarkgriswold

For the hotel, it's better to book well ahead, but something that is cancellable without fee. Then if a better offer comes up you can grab it. Weekend nights are more expensive than weeknights. Memorial holiday weekend late May will be expensive and full-up.

Airfares will be on sale in late Feb/ early March. That's probably also the time period that room deals for May will be popping up, too.

DebitNM

http://www.smartervegas.com/

Be sure to sign up for unlisted offers in upper right hand corner for even better deals.

Lulu16

Thanks you for your replies and websites, most helpful esp. reminder about Memorial holiday in May.

tomfuller

You may find that it is cheaper to fly from Las Vegas to Seattle and then take the train (Amtrak) to and from Vancouver. Why go back to Las Vegas once you've been there so recently?
I like Vancouver better than Las Vegas, depending on the weather.

lunabug

You might want to check west jet.com for flights to Vancouver. It's a Canadian based airline and should have direct flights at least once a day.
Many Vancouverites also will fly from Bellingham, Washington when going to Las Vegas. Upside - you save money. Downside - you are in Bellingham and need to get to Vancouver.

doug_stallings

In general, as long as you stay on a Sunday through Thursday night in LV (Memorial Day excepted), rates are significantly lower. If you sign up for emails from hotels that interest you, you'll get deals in your email and will probably have your pick of places.

You might very well do better flying directly into Las Vegas and flying back out of Vancouver if you are looking for the best airfare deal. And look at driving distances and times. New Mexico is a LONG way from any of the other places you're going. What part of NM interests you? That adds almost 2 full days of driving to your trip.

tomfuller

The flights to and from Bellingham Washington are on Allegiant airline. They only sell online through their website and not on the other websites. You may be able to get an Amtrak bus from Bellingham to Vancouver.
If you are flying into Las Vegas on Allegiant, they have deals on hotels,rental cars and shows if you are interested.

Lulu16

Finally have a chance to again thank all for their info, haven't had a chance to revisit our trip (leaving in May) but back to the planning now. We have checked out http://www.smartervegas.com/
(thank you DebitNM)website maybe useful. Also will do our reading again about the parts of New Mexico were are planning to visit, may not be worth the long drive.

emd3

Lulu, if you are still around, you should join the MGM' hotel group's M LIFE program online. By doing that you will get offers for all the MGM properties (and there are many) on the strip, at least 20% off. I booked NY NY at 25% off! very good rate, but then got a phenomenal offer from The Signature condos behind MGM grande, so I cancelled the NY NY reservation and am going to stay at the Signature.

The promo rates you can get by joining MLife are very impressive, and their properties run the full gamut from Excalibur (very inexpensive) to very high end resorts and in btwn.