What extent Did You Go To For A Las Vegas Trip?

[Steve]

This week's "Topic Of The Week" comes from Texas Gramma:



What extent Did You Go To For A Las Vegas Trip?
1- How bad did you want to go to Vegas and what did you do to get there?
2-Did something happen just before you went that caused you to alter your plans?
3-What obstacles did you overcome to get to Las Vegas?

[MOUNTAINDAVE]

Okay, the very first time i went was when i was just 21. two of my friends wanted to go drive out on a friday night from san diego but i already made plans to go to tijuana for some partying on the same night. i talked my friends into waiting for me until i returned, so they waited until 2:00 in the morning, and as i drove up, they already were bringing their bags to the car. we drove all night and arrived a little before 7:00 in the morning. we did not make hotel plans because a:we were young and stupid. b:because we did not know for sure if we were going or not. and c:we figured we could just party all night and sleep somewhere during the day.
we had a pretty good time through saturday although none of us knew what we were doing as far as gambling went. we played keno a lot because they brought us free drinks and it took a long time in between games. we caught some sleep at some pool(i have no idea where we were at) and stayed up all night on saturday, chowed some breakfast in the morning, and then came back home on sunday and caught up on some rest. this was way back in 1988 and i have no recollection of what casinos we were at or anything. it is kind of funny because i think it would be so cool to go back in time to the desert inn or other casinos that are long gone and i never had the chance to visit, and then realize that maybe i was at some of those places and cant remember.
now when myself and my wife or friends go, i have the whole trip pretty much planned out, as far as matchplay and restaurant coupons and the like. so much has changed from when i was young, but those really were the days.

[tryon4]

For my wifes 50th birthday our children were going to send her (me too) to Vegas for a surpise. This trip would be in addition to our regular Spring trip. I was given the chore of finding a flight which I was doing when she came home early. I had plugged in the wrong month, April rather than May, when she surprised me. "What doin", she asked. "Oh nothing really just looking at air prices". What was on the page was $149.00 RT from Manchester ,NH. She looked at it and asked if I was going to book it because it was such a great price. "Well I don't know, you know the weather is still kinda iffy in April." Oh go ahead take a gamble.
How was I going to tell her that I really was looking for the kids and for after her birthday. Then came the clincher, "Hey you book or I will and go with out you for that price." So I hit the "purchase" button. So now we are going in April, May and August. (can't really say I was dissappointed and for her birthday trip she hit a few jackpots that paid for the trip):)

[magicfish]

This last May, I did an 8 day trip from my home in Austin TX for
$462.32. I traveled alone, leaving hubby home. I am a very low limit table game player, so no comps were available.

In March, I took a very discounted SW flight from Austin to Dallas and back, during an extra credit period, for a total of $72.10, in order to complete my credits for a free
($5) roundtrip flight to Vegas - just in order to complete my credits - went to Love - waited for next flight - came home.

I had free hotels, because I used Hilton HHonors pts. for two different hotels (just before the pt. cost for each went up), I rented a car from Thrifty but had a (real) one day free coupon so I saved money on the rental. My gas cost was a bit high due to the distance of the hotel from the strip area, and due to a free upgrade to a luxury car.

As usual, at home I parked downtown at a friend's, and took a hotel shuttle to the airport - for the price of a tip.
I paid $13.50 plus tip (cash) for a Super Shuttle return to my car.

Came out even on my gambling, and spent a total $225 in cash during the visit. I hit breakfast buffets, graveyard breakfast specials, and ate several meals with coupons, and went out with friends for tapas and drinks one night.
I saw a couple shows free thanks to another friend who works at a showroom. I went the Hilton LV spa free because I am a silver HHonors member, and I took the showroom friend for free - my only cost was a tip.

As you can tell, I am a real buget traveler when I go to LV alone - but then, I'm always the queen of deals, coupons and such, even at home!

I have stayed in Vegas rooms for as low as $9.95 a night -one Dec. several years ago - 5 nights at Terribles. I hoard Hilton Hhonors points, including those gained from the use of a credit card, for free rooms in Houston and Vegas. Between the time I/we make plans to take a Vegas trip and our actual travel I often book, check, and rebook my hotel and rental car to save money.

We (hubby and I) are going for 8 days this Dec., and paying $25/night at the Orleans - booked for 9 nights since we have a red eye home.
I have already rebooked our $474.20 flight (for both of us) for a total cost of $368.20, saving a $106 credit for a future SW flight. Yeah!! (thank you, SW Ding!)
I will have two free days credit on my rental car - due to my use of the same company (and their frequent rental program) on every trip.

Trips with my husband are usually considerably more expensive than when I travel alone or with girlfriends, since we gamble more, and splurge more on hotel, dinner and such. This Dec., however, will be a cheapo trip.

Some would say this is too much work - I don't look at it like that - I almost make a game of it - love beating my own deals!!! :D I figure every dollar I save on travel arrangements means a better chance that I'll actually make my 4 trips/year goal for Vegas.

[janel]

My boyfriend cut off the top of his finger 2 days before we wer to leave for vegas. He told the Dr. to do whatever he had to to make sure he can go without seeing him for a week because he had to get to vegas. Needless to say it wasn't a very enjoyable trip that trip due to pain he was in and such.
I can't tell you how many people commented on his hand all wrapped up and said 'what did you have a fight with a slot machine'? LOL

[MissCyn]

My work schedule is such that I get a three week vacation about every two months. Because of this, I'm always trying to find someone to go to Vegas with me when I'm off of work which is pretty frequently. My best travel companion is my cousin because we are so much alike. My boyfriend is also good to go with for the same reason, but they don't have nearly the amount of vacation time that I do so I'm always in a bind to find some one to go with me. Well I got so desperate to go one summer when my cousin and boyfriend couldn't go that I asked my boyfriends -best friends -girlfriend to go.

I had only met her once before at a party and didn't know her at all. I told her that I would book the hotel (Caesars Palace) and the flights and put them on my credit card and all she had to do was pay me back by the time we left. That in itself was a gamble. So she agreed to go and thankfully paid me back every cent before we stepped onto the plane. However, while I was happy to be in Vegas, it was not an ideal trip. We were VERY different. I like to eat, drink, lay by the pool, and gamble in Vegas. She didn't like to do any of those things. It was the most awkward trip ever! She sat covered by the pool in the shade, she barely ate or drank anything, and she gambled and lost $20 and was done for the four day trip. Still, I was glad to be in Vegas even with the strange company. Next time maybe I'll meet someone from this board out there! At least then I'll know that I'd be traveling with a Vegas fan.

[mturner]

Well.. this is a very sad one for me, but my twin sister, who was quite ill, was determined to attend out planned LV trip, claiming she was feeling much better.

The first few days were okay.. she got to do and see some things that she wanted to but the last few days were hell. That said, she refused to let me see if i could get our flt changed so that she could get back home and insisted that i go on about my vac. while she laid around in the hotel room.

I had taken a drive to Red Rock and for some reason, I knew that this was bad even tho her doctors had been treating her for a kidney infection and muscle spasms due to her intense back paid. It was a very spiritial place to be. quite frankly.

She died exactly one week later from lung and liver cancer. I was just glad that she was able to spend a few good days in our fav. place, a place that we went together several times a year.

I know... what a downer for me to write this, but do say that going on that trip was a challenge is putting it lightly.

[Nancy from Indiana]

mturner, so sorry to hear about your twin sister but I believe she did what she wanted to do (going with you to Vegas) and I hope, when she wasn't in pain, enjoying herself. I worked for a hematologist/oncologist and every day was amazed at the strength of his ca patients.
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"2 - Did something happen just before you went that caused you to alter your plans?"

Two years ago we had e-tickets to fly to Vegas on a Tuesday. The Saturday before we were to leave, my husband got tangled in the dog's leash, fell in the front hall & broke his leg. While I was sitting in an ER room with him, our daughter-in-law called the airline & cancelled our trip. Our tickets were good for a year, so we went a few months after that.

[margekate]

It was 25 years ago (age 40) Three of us women decided to go to Vegas. We felt we had to get the money together ourselves. Why I don't know.
I went so far as to earn some money delivering telephone books house to house. I don't remember how I managed the rest. I do know my husband gave me the balance for Christmas.

We flew Ozark Airlines from St. Louis (first time flying for me). Flew into the old airport. Really small and dumpy.

I allowed myselft $50 per day to gamble and we were there 3 days. I was able to gamble myself silly on that $50 a day. We had so much fun. I can't make it a couple of hours on that anymore.

[vegasbabe]

I wanted to see my favorite band play in Vegas. Took me four planes, one with wings problems, to get there. Spent 36 hours in Vegas, turned around, and flew home, so I could get to work on time sunday night.

[barfar1]

Two years ago my step son passed away the week before we were leaving for LV. I was already to cancel but hubby said "we need to go" we went, didn't have a great time but made the most of it. My step son would have love it as he loved Vegas as much as we did.

[ASTIDIXIE]

I have saved up my spare money" all year! Not that I am a big spender it is just that I don't have a ton of spare money.........
I have had to overcome home equity loans, a mother who can no longer care for my pets while I am away, fighting to get time off without the usual hassle at work, the list is endless...........
AND I know it will be all worth it I will get there & forget eveything I had to go thru in order to go..........even if I do lose on the slots....lol ;)

[Rgiffen2]

My last trip was in Sept, going to a convention in LV. The night before I was leaving, I tripped over my dog's leash and bashed up my knee on the concrete sidewalk. My knee was the size of a baseball and really hurt. I couldn't walk. My husband bought me a knee brace and I could limp a little. I beeped at airport security and had to have a complete pat down because there was metal in the brace. Who knew? I was staying at TI and the dress show was at the Venetian..way in the back. The walk nearly killed me...but I managed to have a blast anyway. It felt so much better proped up at a slot machine. ;)

One obstacle we had to overcome on a flight to LV was the time our plane was hit by lightening and dropped over the mountains. The plane went totally dark and we started falling..by the time the engines came back on..the pilot said.."That's never happened before". When we landed he got a standing ovation.

[Robbylou121]

1- How bad did you want to go to Vegas and what did you do to get there?

This was a few years ago. We had plans to visit vegas, parts of Arizona and Laughlin for our 25th wedding anniversary. We were going in May but the previous March I was having problems with my gall bladder. After numerous visits to the doctors and finally getting in to see a surgeon, it was well into the month of April. My doctor said that my recovery could be anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on the direction my surgeon would have to take. The pain was bad only some of the time, and I really wanted to be there for our anniversary that I forego surgery until my return from Vegas...that was a big mistake. I had "flare-ups" almost every day. The only thing I could eat was cheese and crackers. (And I love Vegas buffets). I remember going to Arizona but Laughlin is a blur. The best part was the people at Harrah's. We were moving from downtown to the strip and when I arrived, I was in a lot of pain and really needed to lay down. Our room wasn't ready but the nice person at the desk saw the state I was in and went to her manager to get us a free upgrade so I could lay down. He said no problem and we got our room lickety split. The housekeeper on that floor also saw the state I was in and she even checked up on me from time to time...now that's above and beyond in my book. I basically lost 2 days with that "flare-up". Anyway, I can't say I had a good time but Harrah's made me feel alot better with their kindness.

PS. I had surgery when I got home and after 1 week I was back to work...oh and hubby scheduled another Vegas vacation for Oct and that time I had a great time.

[vegasmann]

the worst was 2001
we had a flight booked for sept 28 out of NYC with a group of 10
then the 9/11 event and we had to decide to either still go or cancel.
we decided to go but the flight was frighting we only had about 60 people on the flight and remember looking around at everyone,
we finally got to vegas and the town was so quiet it eas so errery.
we made the best and had a great time

[dscs007]

We ( my wife and I ) had a trip to Vegas planned and paid for at the end of May 2002. All was going great till some IDIOT decides that he can't wait two seconds for my wife to pass him, and turns left in front of her so he can get into a convience store to buy his after work beer. Well, to make a long story short, our new car ( had it for 2 months ) is wrecked, and my wife has a broken wrist and a broken knuckle. Two breaks ( different hands ) and two casts.
Well, we decide that we're still going to Veags ( doc said it was OK to travel ). Ever try going through security with 2 casts after 9/11? Not fun. Then, feeding my wife, bathing her ( not fun but not bad either:D ), and watching out for her while trying to have some fun myself was a bit of a chore. Still, we had a good time even though she was in pain a bit from the traveling and moving around.
You might say that we wanted to get to Vegas that trip.

David

[magicfish]

Braver than me, dscs!!

I broke my arm (humerus) in August, cancelled a trip - couldn't imagine going - all pain, would have been no fun.

Rescheduled for next month, though.

[Jim Colyer]

I spent 3 months in Vegas in 1993, living in an apartment and hanging out on the strip.

[tlcrnicu]

Well.. this is a very sad one for me, but my twin sister, who was quite ill, was determined to attend out planned LV trip, claiming she was feeling much better.

The first few days were okay.. she got to do and see some things that she wanted to but the last few days were hell. That said, she refused to let me see if i could get our flt changed so that she could get back home and insisted that i go on about my vac. while she laid around in the hotel room.

I had taken a drive to Red Rock and for some reason, I knew that this was bad even tho her doctors had been treating her for a kidney infection and muscle spasms due to her intense back paid. It was a very spiritial place to be. quite frankly.

She died exactly one week later from lung and liver cancer. I was just glad that she was able to spend a few good days in our fav. place, a place that we went together several times a year.

I know... what a downer for me to write this, but do say that going on that trip was a challenge is putting it lightly.

Please accept my condolences on your incredible loss. She obviously knew her expected outcome and wanted to be with you alone for this time. Red Rock only made it better... I am sure you will cherish that special time with her more and more as time goes by. Every single time I start to feel sorry for myself for some selfish reason or another, I am reminded that life is so much harder for so many others. Maybe that is why we all love LV so much. It's pure fantasy! God Bless. tlcrnicu

[Jringo]

I moved here and started a my own business so I had the free time to enjoy it.

[susieq1047]

A few years ago We got some freebies and it was a REAL poor time for us but we COULD NOT say No...This is sorta embarrassing...lol..:o .Anyway I decided to take out a small loan against my 401K to pay for food and gambling well...it took a LONG time to process...much longer than anticipated...and to make a LONG story short...On the day we were scheduled to depart...we had a 2:00 flight...We were packed and ready to go.."Bettin' on the come" ...we had NO Idea if we were going on staying..it depended on the what was in the mail...the mail arrived at noon and The CHECK WAS THERE!!!!!!! We hit the bank and on to the airport feeling LUCKY!!!
I did hit a 600.00 JP on the triple diamond (the one with the little purplish oval things the Respinning version) at Flamingo and had several little JP's too. We paid for the trip and more! (And yes..I paid the loan off after we got back...LOL):D :D