When you think about vacationing in Las Vegas, glitz, glamour, and excess are the first things that come to mind. Las Vegas is known for its over-the-top entertainment and nights – so it’s no surprise that even the hotels in Sin City are opulent and incredible.
And with all of that excess comes a high price. The top hotels in Las Vegas, like Caesar’s Palace, The Bellagio, Wynn, and The Venetian, all come with incredibly high room rates. But if you know how to cut costs, you could save money while still enjoying all Vegas has to offer.
To score these savings, you just need to know the best tips and tricks for booking a discounted hotel room in the heart of Las Vegas. Here are four ways you can find deals and low prices.
1. Use Your Hotel Rewards Points
If you’ve ever traveled and stayed in a hotel, you’re likely signed up for at least one hotel rewards program. All of the big names in hotels offer rewards – or points – programs that award you discounted rates, free nights and other perks if you stay at their hotels.
So, before you book a hotel for your Las Vegas vacation, check your hotel rewards accounts. Do you have points saved up? Do you have enough points to get a free night or a free upgrade for your room? Depending on the details of the reward program, you may also be able to use your points to get a discount. Sometimes rewards members even get access to special lower-priced hotel rates.
And your rewards may work at all of the most famous Las Vegas hotels. The hotels along the strip are partnered with famous hotel chains, which means you may be able to use your rewards at them.
For example, the MGM Grand, Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, and Mirage hotels are all part of a partnership with Hyatt. That means you can use Hyatt points or rewards at any of these hotels. Just check the hotels along the Strip – the Venetian and Palazzo are partnered with IHG, the Cosmopolitan is partnered with Marriott, and the Tropicana is partnered with Hilton.
2. Visit Las Vegas During the Off Season
Everyone loves Vegas, which makes the city a hot vacation destination year-round. But during certain times of the year, you’ll find Vegas is more expensive and more crowded.
Fortunately, if you plan to travel during the off season, you’ll miss both the crowds and scorching hot weather. And you can also save a lot of money on your hotel.
Visiting Las Vegas in what’s called “shoulder season” (or the off season) means hotels won’t be filled to capacity. Because fewer people are traveling during this time of the year, hotels have to work harder to attract customers. And that leads them to offer discounted rates, lower prices, and additional perks.
Shoulder season runs from March to May and September to November. It’s also a good idea to avoid visiting during any major holidays, big conventions, or huge events like music festivals.
You can also save money by choosing a less popular day of the week. Typically, Las Vegas hotels increase their prices for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights – the days most people want to be in Vegas for the exciting nightlife. Rooms can be as much as three times more expensive over a weekend than on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
3. Stay in a Hotel Off the Strip
The Strip is the heart of Las Vegas. It’s where the famous hotels, casinos, nightclubs, and theatrical shows are all located. And while there are certainly plenty of perks to staying at a hotel situated right on the Strip, you’ll pay a high price to do so.
The biggest Las Vegas hotels on the Strip are often the most expensive. So, if you’re hoping to save money, it’s a smart idea to consider hotels that are located off the Strip. Even choosing a hotel that’s nearby but a few blocks off-Strip can make a big financial difference for your wallet.
For example, you could stay at popular hotels like The Palms, Rio, or Hard Rock Hotel. These hotels are close enough to the Strip to still feel close to the action, but they’re often cheaper because they require a walk or cab ride.
You can also consider staying in Downtown Las Vegas, along Freemont Street. The hotels on Freemont Street are actually on the old Vegas Strip, where you’ll find the traditional bright marquee signs and old casinos made famous in Vegas’ early years. Hotels are also much cheaper here. You can get a great room for just a fraction of the price.
4. Search for and Compare Online Discounts
Even if you have your heart set on staying at a specific Las Vegas hotel, it’s important that you search online for other options. Taking a few minutes to search for hotels in the area and compare their prices could save you significant money.
Many of the best deals on Las Vegas hotels are offered online. From big-name hotels offering seasonal discounts to chain hotels off-Strip that offer lower prices, searching and comparing can help you find the best value for your money. Why spend hundreds of dollars on a hotel room just for the name when a better, cheaper option might be located a few blocks down the Strip?
Vegas hotel prices change frequently. While you’re planning your vacation, make sure to search online for the latest deals, discounts, and offers. That way, you can compare what different hotels offer and what they’re priced at. This is the best way to start your Las Vegas vacation off on any kind of budget.