Vegas from YBR under $500

Here's a nice easy flight from Brandon to Las Vegas. Great hotel, centre strip.

Book through Westjet Vacations or your favourite travel agent.

Vegas - Gamble on this deal?

What if I told you that you and a friend could fly to Las Vegas, from Minot and stay in a 4 star hotel at the centre of The Strip for $326.14 US Dollars.? (Total, for 2 people)  That's approximately $455 per couple in Canadian funds. Would you jump at that price?

Now what if I told you that you would fly Allegiant? Would you still think it was a bargain?

Even if I posted their 1-day travel alert and changes page here as well. (See bottom)
Would it still be worth the gamble?

Valid until Jan 7th, on stays of 3 nights or more. Per couple.

One way flights. Sample dates and prices

7 Days of Sunshine $534

This deal is pretty typical. Vegas offers some great prices in the "shoulder season" every year. This bargain is November 24th to December 1st.

It's nice to know that the prices are pretty similar to last year, if you buy a package and pay in Canadian funds when you book. However, you will feel the pain of the weak Canadian dollar when it comes to eating, shopping and gambling south of the border.

But, if you'd like to postpone winter a little longer, you can enjoy the Vegas sun at a bargain price.

When you are choosing a hotel, make sure to do your research and know which hotels have year round pools. Though I like the Tropicana Hotel, and love their pool, I know it's closing November 16th for winter. So based on that, I'd pick a different hotel. HOWEVER, if you are using Vegas as a home base and are just looking for budget friendly accommodations so you can day trip and explore The Grand Canyon or California, then you might want to choose The Tropicana.

At the budget price, with an excellent pool and location on The Strip, Monte Carlo is a good choice. If you want to vacation more stylishly, the Cosmopolitan Hotel has a great vibe, is next door to the mall and has a rooftop (3rd floor) pool. It's priced about $780 pp with this package as shown.

Screenshots are from Selloffvacations.com on October 12. Prices subject to change.

Packages, as shown INCLUDE all taxes, hotel and have direct Westjet flights from Winnipeg. Direct flights, for me, make this a better bargain. Yes, you can find deals about 10% less money, but the extra flight and connection do not make a $60 savings worth it for me.

So if you want sun and fun, this is a nice deal.

Vegas in December

Here's another gem that meets my criteria:

• 5 star hotel, on the Strip
• Direct, Westjet flights
• $500 Cdn

Your next bargain Vegas hit

I love Vegas. It's a cheap, quick getaway to somewhere warm and exciting. And one of the very least expensive times of the year to go is between American Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I've been to Vegas so many times that I know what I like and don't like to compromise. What I want is:

• direct flights with a trusted airline
• 4 or 5 star hotel on the Strip
• about $500 (or less) per person

So, matching my criteria, I present to you, Vegas December 8th to 11th. 

If you are less choosy about hotel, you can go even lower in price, without compromising your direct, Westjet flights from Winnipeg.

Book online at www.westjet.com or call a local agent at selloffvacations.com (204) 571-4570

Vegas - Next Monday. Crazy Cheap!

Sometimes the last minute bargains are amazing!  Here's one from Westjet, just in case you need one more quick getaway before back to school.

These deals have direct flights to/from Winnipeg. (I checked the Brandon prices and they are 3x as much in this case). It's definitely worth the drive to Winnipeg for this one.

$209 & taxes ($360 total per person) Gets you round trip flights and 3 nights hotel, tax etc.  The Linq is centre strip, while the Tropicana is at the MGM/New York corner.  Both are decent hotels. But if you want to splurge a bit on an amazing hotel, stay at the Cosmopolitan ($448 tax in) or the Aria ($505 tax in). Cromwell, Vdara and the Venetian are all similarly priced.

These are Canadian prices, and considering our low dollar vs the US, I would definitely recommend buying the package rather than booking a flight and paying at the hotel in US dollars. You would have to book a US package (like from Allegiant) for $275 or less to beat this deal. See why I called it amazing! The real value is in the superior Westjet service and reliability.

Prices are subject to change. Book on-line or give Selloffvacations.com a call ((204) 571-4570) and tell them you saw the deal on my blog.

Vegas pictures, just for fun

A dear friend of mine is planning a trip to Vegas soon, so I thought I'd share a few of my own pics to help show her around and fuel the excitement.

Street view of the M&M store

Inside the colourful M&M store. Sure to make you smile.

Gardens at Bellagio in springtime. 

Located in the Aria Hotel

Salmon Vegas-style.

Bellagio 

Indoor canals at the Venetian Hotel

Candy stores all around

Showgirl crosswalk 

Burgers from BURGR in Planet Hollywood Hotel

Sunrise in Vegas... in case you miss it. 

Caesar's Palace sports book. Where you can go to bet on football etc.

Concert venue at Caesar's Palace

Rod Stewart on his walk about thru the crowd

Rod Stewart on stage in 2013

Art installation at the shops at the Crystals Mall, at Aria

The Chandelier  lounge at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

Pool at the Tropicana Hotel 

Room service Bellagio style

View of the pools at Bellagio

Me, Vegas-style

A Week in Vegas $459 & tax

Do you see the bargain I found?  Hard to miss it when it's less than half price of the competition!

I have personally stayed at The Tropicana and I would not hesitate to stay there again. Firstly, the location is amazing. You're right at the corner with New York New York and MGM Grand.  Secondly, the hotel is small and comfortable, but the rooms are actually much bigger than are typically found in Las Vegas. The benefit of a smaller hotel is that you can easily dash to Starbucks, or the pool without getting lost in the casino or having to wear sneakers for the hike. Thirdly, it has a really great pool and I love the tropical decor.

There are other hotels available with this offer. Some are even less expensive, but you will be hard pressed to find a better value for your money, in my opinion.

Did I mention the direct flights? Westjet, direct to/from Winnipeg.

If you don't like these dates, I saw it for about $40 more at the end of November.

www.selloffvacations.com

$497 tax in for The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

Nice deal on a swanky hotel. Two dates to choose from at this price. Monday July 6th, or Monday July 13th. Departing out of Winnipeg, with direct flights in both directions.

Book with westjet.com or your favourite agency.

Why Canada to Vegas is the Best Bet

So, you're looking at going to Vegas again soon, and you're wondering if it's still worth heading down to Minot or Grand Forks to catch your flight.

My answer is no.

Considering the current exchange rate, you are better to book and pay in Canadian dollars. Save your (cheap) gas and just cruise over to the local airport rather than travel 3 hours to the North Dakota airport.

There is a Winnipeg package, with direct flights to and from Las Vegas. You can stay at a premium hotel, mid-strip for about $420. Converted to American funds, you would have to find a package at $350 or less US funds to be "equal."

If you prefer to go out of Brandon, you won't have a direct flight, and you will need to add an overnight in Calgary on the way home. But that might be fun.

A week in Vegas $570

Direct flights and taxes included, you simply can't beat this bargain, centre strip in Las Vegas. $570 at the Monte Carlo! Great flight times too. Deal me in!

Week in Vegas $570

How much would you pay to avoid the Christmas hustle? Are you getting tired of the chaos, the stressed shoppers and the commercialism that is December? Maybe you just hate the cold weather and icy roads this time of year. Why not disappear for a week and enjoy some time in Vegas?

This is exactly where I would be if it weren't for family and work commitments this time of year.

Enjoy a week, with direct flights from Winnipeg at the MGM Grand hotel for only $570. That's like paying $82 a night for hotel and getting your flights completely free! Or, paying for a flight and getting a week's hotel for free. There really aren't any better bargains, which are inclusive of tax, out there.

I chose the MGM Grand hotel for a couple reasons. Firstly, it's huge and a hub of activity. You will never be bored. There are shows, concerts, nightlife and more right under your own "home" roof. It is also in a fabulous location. If you want to go out exploring, you are steps away from other great hotel and casino complexes. The drinks are good at MGM Grand... some places have terrible service and watered down drinks, but not here. If you want to drink Corona and play penny slots, that's an option.

If you would rather stay at another hotel, you could choose Planet Hollywood ($502), The Venetian ($767), The Mirage ($602) or Caesars Palace ($646). 

If you'd like a hotel without casino, but with a kitchenette, bigger rooms and an ideal location (connected to Aria and Bellagio) definitely stay at Vdara ($723). I've stayed there and love it. The rooms are gorgeous and the little market restaurant has fabulous food in a cafe type setting. There is also a Starbucks in the lobby. It's an oasis on the strip, but mere steps away from all the action. I highly recommend Vdara. 

Flights are direct, on Westjet and from Winnipeg airport. 

You can book with any agent you like, or on-line. 

A few more from YBR

These are fall deals, based on the current sales. All from your home base, Brandon (YBR). Screenshots from October 9th.  Some trips (like Palm Springs and Vegas) will include an overnight in Calgary. Others, like Victoria are same day flights.

When I note prices, it's always air, hotel and taxes included.  www.westjet.com

A week in Vegas at the 5 star Venetian. Show tickets included. Live well for only $828 per person.

A week in Palm Springs, at the Westin Mission Hills. $995, December 2-9th.

Three nights in Victoria. A sophisticated couples getaway to the Fairmont Empress? $694 per person. 

November 25th to 28th. 

Vegas Package from Brandon $259 & tax

Here's a last minute bargain to jump up and down about! Seriously.  (prices current as of Oct 7, 1AM)
www.westjetvacations.com to book or call your favourite travel agent in the morning.  To book on-line yourself, go to the Westjet page and type in your home airport (YBR) for Brandon, and LAS for Las Vegas. Dates on sale are Oct 28-31st, as shown below. The Flamingo is located in the centre of all the action, on the strip, but so are all the other 3 hotels shown below.

I have stayed at Caesar's Palace this year, and of course, recommend it. The Cromwell is also of the Caesar's chain and is a gorgeous boutique hotel with a fabulous signature restaurant, Giada's.

Ooooh, if I didn't have to work this week, well, I'd be in Vegas.