Have I mentioned that I love to travel?  Oh …and I love to travel often?  Oh …and I love to travel CHEAP?  If you’ve read any of my travel blogs, you’ll pick up a common theme, I love to travel and save money while doing it.  So, here are some ideas on one of my favorite cities in which to have a blast, Las Vegas!

• YOU GOTTA SLEEP somewhere (well some people don’t – but they’re half my age, me–I gotta sleep) so there’s always the old standby budget chain hotels/motels.  BUT in Las Vegas, I’ve found if you play your cards right (pun intended) then you can stay in a really nice, maybe luxury room in an exciting casino hotel, for way less than the price of those budget chain hotels or maybe even free.  Here’s the secret–go to the casinos that you think you might want to stay in and get their “player’s card”.  It’s free and all you have to do is put it in the slot machine or give it to the pit boss if you’re playing table games, and you will be on the list.  I am not a big money gambler but when I do play, I use the card. I get mailings for free or really cheap rates on very nice rooms (cheap to me is considered either free or rates in the $29 to $69 range, depending on the date of the week).  I’ve also gotten some really great deals going to the casino hotel’s website and signed up for their email specials.  Consider going off season and best rates are usually Sunday through Thursday. 
• YOU GOTTA EATand Las Vegas has some of the BEST FOOD anywhere!  Where else can you get the best, fresh seafood in the middle of the desert??  Coupons are king in Las Vegas, I rarely use coupons here in San Antonio, but in Las Vegas, look out…  You can find coupons on the internet, look for the free tourist books in your hotel room or at the casino bell desk or concierge.  Last year, we made the trip with a larger group, we purchased three “American Casino Guide” books (Barnes & Noble).  They had GREAT 2 for 1 coupons mostly in the buffets but they were some of the nicest buffets in town.  This book was well worth the price just for the food coupons, but they also have show coupons and lots of others.  Check out one of my favorite websites, www.Lasvegasadvisor.com, they publish a top ten value list at the beginning of every month where they list great food/entertainment deals.  We always check out these before we go and have eaten our way through many of the top ten lists!  One of our favorites, the 99 cent shrimp cocktail!  They also sell a coupon packet that I’ve heard is great but I’ve not tried yet.
• YOU GOTTA SEE A SHOW or two or three!  We LOVE live entertainment, so we try to go to at least one show a day.  I’m also cheap so I can’t go to those $150 shows for full price.  Again with the coupons, check out online for coupons or the aforementioned coupon books.   ALSO, try this company called Half Priced Tickets, on the day you want to go to a show, go to their location, one is downtown and they have one on the strip.  They have discounted tickets for same day shows.  We’ve done this a few times and been very happy.  Not all shows are offered, so be flexible.  Also ask at the hotel you’re staying at if they offer any show ticket discounts to hotel guests, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
• YOU GOTTA HAVE A CAR,well in LV you don’t really need a car although we always rent a car for the duration of our stay.  We like to drive around and see other things besides the place we’re staying.  Rental cars are cheap in LV, we almost always book a car through their websites, our favorites are Dollar, Alamo or Thrifty.  Join their club for free and sometimes you can get an upgrade for free.  Last time we booked a car for a great rate online and in addition, got a $25 gift card because we paid with our American Express card. 
• IF YOU GOTTA DRINK,well nobody has to drink but I HAD to stay with the theme of this blog didn’t I?  I’ve been known to imbibe once in a while and if you want to imbibe in Vegas, you can do so pretty cheaply.  If you’re gambling or “gaming” as they like to call it, those cute little cocktail waitresses will bring you anything your heart desires to drink for FREE.  Just remember to tip them or it will be a long, dry spell before you get another.  Also, ask for a coupon book when you check into your hotel, lots of times they have free drink coupons or “two-fers” which are pretty nice also. 
• IF YOU GOTTA GAMBLE, notice I said IF, keeping with the theme I’ve got going on here… work with me.  If you go to LV and don’t gamble or partake in “gaming” then you’re probably in the minority, although it can be done.  One of my favorite bloggers and writers on this subject is Jean Scott, who can be found on www.queenofcomps.com.  I’ve been reading her for years and when visiting LV always was on the lookout for her sitting on a VP machine.  I thought if I saw her playing, I’d go up to her and say “You’re Jean Scott” and she’d just look at me, wondering who this nut is.  Anyway I digress, enough of my scenarios.  Ms. Scott writes about how to gamble frugally and I’ve learned alot from her.  Otherwise I don’t know how you can gamble while saving money so what’s the old saying “If you want to double your money in Vegas, fold it in half an put it back in your wallet!”  Good advice! 

Hope you enjoyed reading my tips for traveling on the cheap!  If you’ve got any other suggestions, please comment and I’d love to hear how you saved money in Vegas.  Have fun traveling on the cheap!  And don’t forget for any real estate needs in the San Antonio area, I’m your gal!