America / Vegas

(ST)Pohaku · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:26

Hoping for a bit of current advice for a planned trip to the US. I've been to the West twice, in '04 and '05, including Las Vegas on both trips, so I'm familiar with my destination - it's the journey I need advice with!

Hoping to go end of August for a couple of weeks. Does anyone know the best and most cost-effective way to book it? Book sooner or book last minute? Combine hotel & flight on a travel website, or dig around to make bigger savings? I am also toying with the idea of flying into somewhere else and taking a few days to drive to Las Vegas, stopping off along the way. This depends on the effect on the total cost of the trip.

I know I can (and have) read a thousand reviews of where to go and what to do, I was hoping for an insight from someone who has made a similar trip recently... anyone?

Also - does anyone know if the passport requirements have changed since 2005 re: entry to the U.S?

Ta in advance...

Poh.

dowie · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:01

hotwire.com

is apparently quite useful for vegas hotels - they don't specifically name the hotels but you can basically figure them out and avoid hilton/trump etc...

POB · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:09

(ST)Pohaku said:
Also - does anyone know if the passport requirements have changed since 2005 re: entry to the U.S?

ESTA is required now

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Costs $14 and is valid 2 years (or until passport expires).

But does away with the green form filling on the plane, only the white customs one left now.

Rotty · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:22

Flight early and hotel late, flight prices are horrible this year

Detroit_Waves · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:24

My only advice would be dont go in August! One, if youre looking for it to be cost effective, its going to be expensive flight and hotel wise whether you book it now or later! And also...the heat, its pretty mega in August in Vegas!

I would possibly fly into Phoenix rather than the usual suggestions of LA or SF, as although Phoenix doesnt have much going on...there are some of the most amazing little towns on the way to Vegas!

Detroit_Waves · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:26

Rotty said:
Flight early and hotel late, flight prices are horrible this year

Arent they just! Same flight I booked last year, costing me 440 from London to Los Angeles, has just cost me 680, booked 5 months early, as opposed to 2 days before last year!

Rotty · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:39

Detroit_Waves said:
My only advice would be dont go in August! One, if youre looking for it to be cost effective, its going to be expensive flight and hotel wise whether you book it now or later! And also...the heat, its pretty mega in August in Vegas!

I would possibly fly into Phoenix rather than the usual suggestions of LA or SF, as although Phoenix doesnt have much going on...there are some of the most amazing little towns on the way to Vegas!

August in the 2nd cheapest month for Vegas hotels, flights are very expensive though

I never find the heat a problem, the lack of humidity makes it very bearable

helmet · 17 Feb 2011 at 23:21

I booked through a US site and got the exact same BA flight almost £400 cheaper.

[TW]Fox · 17 Feb 2011 at 23:50

Detroit_Waves said:
Arent they just! Same flight I booked last year, costing me 440 from London to Los Angeles, has just cost me 680, booked 5 months early, as opposed to 2 days before last year!

Ditto. 470 to Lax last year, this year I can't even get to New York for under 500!

Rotty · 18 Feb 2011 at 00:04

I have had to pay £835 for Vegas for this August, PE back but have to fly out in economy :eek:

normally get PE both ways for that, in Nov I booked flights to Philadelphia for July ( going to Atlantic City ) and paid £476, thought that was steep at the time but it looks a bargain now

qqg3 · 18 Feb 2011 at 03:01

Book seperately, some sites like Orbitz which charge in the dollars can give you cheaper rates some times. But nothing is great at the moment.

Derek W · 18 Feb 2011 at 07:52

POB said:
ESTA is required now

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Costs $14 and is valid 2 years (or until passport expires).

But does away with the green form filling on the plane, only the white customs one left now.

It doesn't cost a thing for the esta unless you get directed T9 one of the scam sites yet you've listed the official one.

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2011 at 07:53

Derek W said:
It doesn't cost a thing for the esta unless you get directed T9 one of the scam sites yet you've listed the official one.

Wrong. They now charge $14.

Fr0dders · 18 Feb 2011 at 08:14

Derek W said:
It doesn't cost a thing for the esta unless you get directed T9 one of the scam sites yet you've listed the official one.

don't you read the news ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10899968

Derek W · 18 Feb 2011 at 08:36

MrLOL said:
don't you read the news ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10899968

Odd, I went over in October last year, booked my flights around when that article was published might have sorted out my esta a few days before the new charges then. Didn't know that.

DiCe! · 18 Feb 2011 at 11:43

ive paid £550 for flights and hotel for a week end of this month :|

Fr0dders · 18 Feb 2011 at 12:45

Derek W said:
Odd, I went over in October last year, booked my flights around when that article was published might have sorted out my esta a few days before the new charges then. Didn't know that.

they only charged for new ESTAs from that point

If you already had one that was still valid (because they last for 2 years) you didn't have to pay again.

Rotty · 18 Feb 2011 at 17:48

DiCe! said:
ive paid £550 for flights and hotel for a week end of this month :|

for Vegas ? very good if it is

well as long as they haven't shoved you in Circus Circus

Fr0dders · 18 Feb 2011 at 19:25

Rotty said:
for Vegas ? very good if it is

well as long as they haven't shoved you in Circus Circus

whats the name of the one thats in downtown vegas off fremont street ?

Looked like you'd stick to the floor in the lobby

Rotty · 18 Feb 2011 at 19:52

There's a lot like that in Fremont area