#vegas tips

[tobinheath]

Okay but you should just casually mention shark reef and the mob museum and if you have a way of getting around, Red Rock Canyon and see if shes planning on those cause if anything those three are worth hitting up. And they'll let you kinda see the city. :) Also a Cirque show if you can afford it, I'd recommend O

I'll make sure to keep this in mind!!

[welpthisiswhatanaddictionis]

VEGAS TIPS AND TRICKS

Hey everybody,

      So I recently had a blast in Vegas. Despite it being fun, there was a definite learning curve and we definitely would have been so much better off if we had known this stuff from the beginning. So I figured I would let y’all know some of the stuff I figured out over time and it might help.

BUY A BUS PASS- Vegas has a bus line called the “Deuce” that runs up and down the strip and it costs about $20 for a 3 day pass. For some reason I thought that everything on the strip would be super close, but it isn’t and your feet are going to be plotting your murder by the end of the day. The actual strip is about 4ish miles and that is not an easy trek, especially when you are probably going to be on your feet a lot anyway or potentially under the influence. It really pays off because the traffic up and down the strip is absolutely apocalyptic. On top of that, cabs and taxis are going to cost you a fortune. So really, the bus passes pay off big time.

Free drinks- This is knocked my socks off, but if you are gambling, drinks will be free. In most of the major casinos on the strip they have waitresses walking around that will ask everybody what they want and all you have to pay for is the tip (I usually gave a dollar or a dollar chip). They tend to frequent the card games more than the slots because the card games tend to rack in more money and it is to the casinos benefit if you are happy and drunk while giving them your money. I would recommend ordering beer over mixed drinks though because the mixed drinks are very weak.

Stay on the strip as much as possible- Basically 1 block in any direction outside of the strip got a little scary for us. There is a lot of broken down buildings, evidence of hard drug use, and criminal activity that we were warned about. We wanted to explore non-touristy stuff but instantly regretted it and didn’t feel safe. Please be careful

Hit up a grocery store- Pick up essentials like a case of water bottle, snacks, and liquor for cheap if you want booze. It was harder for us to get water than it was for us to get liquor. You would be surprised how hard it is to stay hydrated in Vegas. So keeping a bottle or 2 on you is critical, especially considering the heat in Vegas and the amount you’re exerting yourself. Also, the drinks are really overpriced anywhere you go so a little pre-game might be in your best interest if you want to save some money and drink responsibly in your room while turning up to Girly Pop Pussy Poppers (from personal experience)

If smoke bothers you be careful- I personally can’t handle the smell of cigarettes too much and get kind of nauseous at the stench. Well on the casino floor everybody is allowed to smoke as much as they want and boy does it stink. There is cigarette smoke everywhere and if you are like me where you can’t handle the smell, be forewarned.

ID needed everywhere- As someone that has been fairly “active” in college, I have definitely familiar with using my ID. However, I used my ID more in a single weekend in Vegas than I did in an entire month of college. Be ready with your ID cause every table, bar, and club is going to ask you for it.

Not everything is 24 hours- For some reason I was under the delusion that nothing in Vegas ever closed. You can see hussle and bussle at all times of the day and there was always people in the streets, but not all services and stores accommodate that 24/7 lifestyle, so don’t expect things to be available at anytime of the day

If you aren’t used to seeing drunken people get ready to see more than you ever cared to see- You will see rampant debauchery and drunkenness and even though the casinos kick out the worst of it, you will have to encounter it while walking the streets or based on the circumstances. Ultimately, if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with drunkenness it might help to prepare yourself mentally beforehand.

Stop at a loss- The biggest trick from me when it comes to gambling is to stop at a loss. Sit at a table and if you lose right away LEAVE cause YOU IN DANGER GIRL. If you win, great. Stay and keep playing until you lose about 20% of your net winning (at least that’s what I would suggest). This level of self control is the hardest thing to develop because you get into this destructive mindset of “No, I was winning before, I can win again” and that’s why the casinos make so much profit. Either way, once my friends and I got over the whole “never give up” mentality we started doing alright at the tables.

Don’t bring kids- Okay, live your life if you wanna bring kids to Vegas. That being said, Vegas is a den of gambling (21+), drinking (21+), and sex. Kids cannot legally participate in any of these activities and are going to be exposed to a lot. There are hooker trading cards that litter the streets, scantily clad females all over, and drunks loitering about. I am personally very sex worker positive, body positive, and don’t mind responsible alcohol consumption, but know that some people don’t want their 5-year-old to see that stuff.

Try In n Out- I know this is a weird one, but all those California Tumblr blogs that post aesthetic pictures of In n Out at the beach really got to me and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. Being from the Midwest, we don’t have In n Out and if you don’t either, now is your chance. “Animal style” is lit and if you are vegetarian get the grilled cheese. Also they combine vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry into a single milkshake and it is truly the lord’s work.

Bonus: Elvis impersonators are wildly and criminally underrated. 

[powersmurfuk]

Cab rides to your hotel

There has been many reports of cab drivers at the airport trying it on with people when taking them from the airport to their hotel. Below is a rough idea on how much it will cost.

Once at the arrivals terminal, there are a few options on how to get to your hotel. Below is a rough guide on what is available.

Shuttle Bus – These can cost less then $10 per person to get to the strip/down town. Very cheap but not the most comfortable or direct as the bus will make a number of stops to each hotel.

Taxi – Below is a rough idea on prices from the airport to various hotels on the strip. Please make sure you confirm the price with the driver before committing to the fare. Prices will vary depending on routes taken and other factors such as time of day and traffic.

McCarren airport to the following hotels:

The Luxor Hotel

$19 Duration 13 mins Distance 5.5km

MGM Grand Hotel $17 Duration 10 mins Distance 4.5km

Hard Rock Hotel $15 Duration 10 mins Distance 3.7km

Treasure Island $32 Duration 13 mins Distance 12.9km

ARIA Hotel $20 Duration 13 mins Distance 5.7km

Venetian Hotel $22 Duration 15 mins Distance 7.5km

Encore Hotel $33 Duration 14 mins Distance 14.5km

Palms Hotel $33 Duration 17 mins Distance 12.7km

Limousine Service – What better way to start your Vegas adventure as a true VIP than with our airport Meet and Greet service? Your driver will be waiting in the Arrivals terminal. Once your bags have arrived, the fun starts as you are taken to your Limousine where you can sit back, relax and take in the sights with a chilled bottle of champagne on the way to your hotel. Rates start from only $110 so it’s perfect for groups to ride in style.

[powersmurfuk]

US Visa (ESTA)

Before you book your flights you will need to make sure that you get your ESTA visa for entry into the United States. This can be done online yourself and is a very easy and simple process. 

The fee to apply online costs $14 and you can pay at the end of the your application. 

Make sure you have the following details to hand as you will be asked for the following:

Flight Number

Airline

Address of where you are staying

To make an application click here

[powersmurfuk]

Rezdy Online Booking

Book your Vegas activities and more right here...

[powersmurfuk]

Airport Terminal Info & Luggage Info

So where do you go on the day of departure? Below are a list of airlines and the terminals they fly from, along with how many bags you can take and what their maximum weight can be:

British Airways

Heathrow Airport – Terminal 5

Gatwick Airport – North Terminal

1 bag up to 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hand luggage. 2nd bag is charged at $51.

Note, if you want to select your seat in advanced there is a £25 charge EACH WAY, otherwise you can select your seat for free when checking in 24 hours before departure. 

Virgin Atlantic

Gatwick Airport – South Terminal

Manchester Airport – Terminal 2

2 bags up to 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hang luggage. 3rd bag is charged $50 if done online, or $60 at the airport.

Note, from April 2014 there will be a £25 charge each way to select your seat, otherwise you can select it for free when checking in online 24 hours before departure.

Delta Airlines

Heathrow Airport – Terminal 4

Manchester Airport – Terminal 2

2 bags up to 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hang luggage. 3rd bag is charged at $50.

United Airlines

Heathrow Airport -Terminal 4 (flights via Newark & Houston ONLY – check your connection)

Heathrow Airport – Terminal 1 – All other routes

Manchester – Terminal 2

Glasgow

Edinburgh

1 bag at 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hang luggage. 2nd bag charged at $100.

US Airways

Heathrow Airport – Terminal 1

Gatwick Airport – South Terminal

Manchester Airport – Terminal 2

Glasgow

1 bag at 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hang luggage. 2nd bag charged at $100.

American Airlines

Heathrow Airport – Terminal 3

Manchester Airport – Terminal 3

2 bags at 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hang luggage. 3rd bag charged at $60.

Air Canada

Heathrow Airport – Terminal 3

1 bag at 23kg (50lbs) plus 1 hang luggage. 2nd bag charged at $100.

[powersmurfuk]

Vegas Scams

Scams in Las Vegas...

Have a read of the below to make sure you are aware and don't get caught out....

It was brought to our attention from a recent stag group who were in Vegas that there are a few people who will try and take advantage or scam you. As a result, we wanted to make sure everyone was aware of this so that whilst on your trip these scams/distractions do not get in the way of having an amazing time! Strip Scam: If you have never been to Vegas before, we recommend walking up and down the strip. Go and explore the different hotels, take in the atmosphere, enjoy the moment! However, when you need to cross the road, you have to walk over a bridge. Up and down the strip there are bridges at different locations. It would appear that there are several people on the bridges who are selling CD’s of their music. These people will try and grab your attention by saying that the CD is free. You think this is great, and once you take hold of the CD it all goes wrong! The person will not let you leave and then change his/her mind and say that the CD is no longer free and you must pay for it. Obviously you thought the CD was free, so you go to hand it back, this is where things get difficult. The person will state that he/she will not take it back as you took it. They will pile on the pressure and also create a scene. This almost aggressive behavior is very intimidating and to not create a scene most people just pay the $10 or whatever price they want and walk away. Don’t take anything handed to you, walk past and ignore these people.  Annoyances: Whilst walking down the strip taking in the sights, you may be approached by someone smartly dressed and looking professional. Straight away they might ask where you are from or if you want to go and see a show!! Don’t stop and talk to these people!! They are selling time shares. You will engage in a conversation about Vegas and how they have some great property and you can stay in Vegas for free every time you come, or they will give you a free ticket to a show. All you have to do is go to a free, no obligation demonstration of their time share property which only takes 2 hours of your time. You will think this is great and what is 2 hours of your time?? Well you have to leave a deposit of $50 as they want to make sure you go….honestly, not worth the hassle. Anyone stops you and tries to have a chat: ‘thanks but no thanks take care of yourself have a great day!!!’ Casino Scam: So you are in the casino and playing the slot machines. You are there with your bucket full of coins and having a great time, maybe even winning. Here is what happens: A person will come and sit on the machine next to you. As they sit down they will say ‘is that money yours?’ and point to the floor. You don’t know any better and look down or even bend down to pick the money up. As you are doing this a second person will come over and take your bucket full of coins and casually walk away.  The people doing this are professionals. Sounds a bit extreme? It’s not. If you are playing the machines, keep your bucket in view at all times and if someone does try to come and have a chat, just take hold of it. Taxi Scam: You’ve arrived in Vegas, you’re pumped and ready to go! You have your luggage and go out to the taxi rank. Once inside the taxi you’re off and away to your hotel, life is great. After your trip is over, you get a taxi from your hotel back to the airport and for some reason the fare was $15 less expensive then coming to the hotel??!! It would appear that a lot of cabbies are doing an illegal practice of taking people on longer routes to generate a higher fare. Easy way around this, check out our information page as we have the price listed of how much it should be from the airport to various hotels. If the hotel you are staying at is not listed, call the hotel prior to arrival and ask how much a taxi should cost. Once you get into a taxi, ask the driver straight away how much it will be. If he says that it is $15 or $20 more than what the hotel told you, just get out and get another taxi. Remember, if you feel at any point that you are getting ripped off,  just take the driver’s ID number which will be shown on the dash board. You can then report him at a later time.

Ladies of the night: (This is more for the guys) So you've had a good night out, you've had a bit too much to drink, and on the way back to the hotel you get approached by a lady (at this point you’re hammered so to you she is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen). She starts to talk to you, and next thing you know, she has said that for X amount she will make your wildest dreams come true. You can’t believe it!! You go with her back to your room and this is when things can go horribly wrong. Any of the following can happen:

  She tells you to go freshen up. You go to the bathroom to do just that. When you come out she is gone, and so is your wallet. You've been had.

If you are on your own in the room with her, the price you agreed has just gone up by a ridiculous amount. You tell her you’re not going to pay and then she will get on the phone to her pimp and the heavies will be at your door within minutes, things are going to get very nasty very quickly.

There is a group of you, and you bring a girl back. Once in the room, the price goes through the roof. You tell her you are not going to pay and she should leave. Next thing she is screaming and shouting, making a real scene and cries rape. Sounds a bit extreme? Think about it, 5 guys boozed up in a room with this lady. Next thing Police turn up, all goes really wrong.

Like with anything, just be aware if you are unsure or something just not seems right, it probably isn't. Vegas is the most amazing place in the world, and 99% of the times the only issue you will have is a really bad hangover. Like with anything when travelling, use your common sense and you should be OK. As always, we are always on hand should you have any questions in general. Feel free to reach us via Twitter or Facebook, or just email us.