Las vegas for new year

Hi Guys,

Me and my friend want to spend new year in Vegas. Flying out 26th Dec returning 2nd Jan.

I've searched the internet and cannot believe the prices I went earlier this year with virgin and the flight was only about 340 which is all I can really afford. What do you think the chances are for a cheaper deal if I wait until the last minute. I know flights generally go up closer to the day but I wondered if they did get sold off cheaper at the very last minute?

Or do Virgin holidays do any late deals?

Thanks in advance for any info!

Simple supply and demand dictates the high prices. This is a massively popular route - normal economy fares are well over £500 - and new year is a hugely popular time to fly.

And if you havent reserved a room in Vegas for new year yet, be prepared to either a) pay $400/night or b) slum it.

Perhaps plan for 13 months time?

Hi juulz2001

I did this with a few mates for last new years. We booked our flights in Sept with VS, via SFO on the way in and LAX on the way out. The flights cost us just over the £500 mark then, and I kept checking up until about 7 days before we went, and they didn't get any cheaper, and infact there were no flights available with VS from about the middle of November onwards.

Also as 'Professor Yaffle' says, all flights at that time of year are very popular. We had a delay on the way back (which was on 2nd Jan), thanks to America West, and missed our connecting flight from LAX. VS could do nothing to help us, as all their flights were fully booked for the next few days and we eventually got home with BA about 24 hours later!

If you really want to do it, I'd personally 'bite the bullet' and book the flights now, just to be sure, especially if it is the direct LGW-LAS flight, as you will not have to mess around with connecting flights.

Also, be prepared, Vegas is VERY, VERY busy for New Years Eve. We loved it, but it is not everybodys 'cup of tea'.

Hope this all makes sense, and helps a bit. If you do decide to go I'm sure you'll have a great time,

Richard.

P.S. As for hotels, the best deal we could get was at the 'Stratosphere'. If I remember correctly, I think we paid about $650 for the 5 nights that we were there. The location of the 'Strat' may not suit everyone, but we could not fault the hotel itself, and it is a fairly short walk to the 'Sahara' to catch the monorail if you need to get to the other end of the strip.

Thanks guys!

I was considering a connecting flight but will think twice now! will look into the prices again.

Thanks for your advice!

I think you will find it hard to get a cheap flight the best deal i have found is Here and it's on the dates you want to go.

HTH

Phil

Hi pegitt,

Thanks for the link, that was a great deal! direct flight too I phoned up and the guy got me a much better hotel for just £10 extra each. I was lucky too only 3 seats left!

Thank you all for your posts!

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by 747340
I spoke to Virgin today and they tell me these flights to Las vegas are really quite in March do you know if this is true

Well, I can't think why Virgin would say it if it were not true and I wouldn't have access to their system to be able to say so. [ii]

Las Vegas is mad on New Years Eve. I am not sure which is more crowded - LAS or NYC on New Year's Eve. I suspect its LAS.

Remember you have to make dinner reservations now if you want to dine somewhere decent and pay a fortune for the privilige. Even lounges charge a hefty fee for access on the night and you have to book to get in ! And you have to decided which hotel you want to spend the night in and where you want to see the fireworks from.

Some hotels like the Bellagios actually close of access into the hotel for an hour around midnight because it is too crowded irrespectively if you can prove that you are a resident at the hotel. We got a goody bag each left in the hotel room - hat, blower, streamers and other party stuff.

All the hotels get together and set-off a great fireworks show from the top of the various hotels on the strips. The road (i.e. the Strip) is shut off from late afternoon as everyone hangs out in the middle of the road to see the fireworks. Believe it or not, the tables at the casinos actually empty out for about 10 mins as people head out to see the fireworks.

There is a realy buzz with the crowds but the minimum stakes at casinos go up, the queues for the buffets are very long and waiting for taxis can by frustrating.

I love LAS and go once or twice a year. All I can say about spending NYE there is, been there, done that, enjoyed the experience with both plus and minus points and would not want to repeat the experience. Hotel and flights aside, prices of everything in LAS will be at a premium.

Most the most of LAS between 26th and 29th - it will all get a bit much from the 30th.

Originally posted by 747340
I spoke to Virgin today and they tell me these flights to Las vegas are really quite in March do you know if this is true

I was looking at going over there in March and flights don't seem too bad. Part of March is at the end of Virgin's sale fares (can be mile + tier point earning).........the major problem is that is seems to be the most expensive month to stay there with prices of hotel rooms going up by at least $100 a night (there's at least 1 thread by me somewhere about this and conferences / spring break)