Room Tax on Expedia and Last Minute hotel bookings

Hi

I'm doing my daily monitoring of Las Vegas hotel prices and have come across some rather tasty 10% off deals on Expedia and Last Minute - both offering 10% off their published prices at the moment This means I could get a deluxe fountain view at Bellagio or a fountain view terrace studio at Cosmopolitan for a little bit more than a plain room at Aria which would make me a happy bunny

However I'm a little confused as to whether the quoted prices include the 12% Room Tax - I fully appreciate that they exclude the "Resort Fee" and this is quoted in the "Price to Pay at Hotel" section.

The room tax is not included in this section however but the T&Cs say it is excluded ?|

Has anybody made hotel room only bookings via these providers and is able to shed any light please?

Many thanks in advance

ScoobySu

I have used Expedia commonly for hotel only booking. Not last minute but also Net Flights. Never had to pay room tax on top, only resort fee in Vegas.

Scoobysu there is also 11% cash back on quidco for hotel bookings via Expedia currently.

Thanks Virgin AU Flyer - I forgot about Net Flights!

ScoobySu

Just a thought on Vegas hotels, when deciding hotel rooms don't pass over the $20 tip trick by going for a low-mid range room and tipping the reception desk person to get a better room, suite, more amenities etc.

As always it's subjective and down to personal interaction and whether it works but in my 5 trips to sin city over the last year, I've yet to experience a clerk hand it back with no extras received

Two weeks ago I was there for a conference, staying at TI cause it's always super cheap on my dates. I paid $38 for my room, dropped the receptionst $20 and I got a high rise upgrade to a junior suite with a strip view opposite palazo as well as no resort fee ($29 value) and a one person buffet voucher ($25 value)

I've had great success with MGM mirage properties as well.

If you can be confident enough to put $20 in between your ID and credit card who knows what they can do for you. Worst case they will return it's they can't help.

Give Priceline.com a try.... might find the room cheaper.

They include the taxes & their fee.
Also, you can 'bid' on rooms if you dont mind where your staying (you can add criteria like only 5*, etc. & can usually narrow down hotels based on amenities).
Hotwire is another.

Ive got some excellent deals for my trip next summer in peak season. I may have been able to get cheaper rooms by booking later.

inc taxes & fees I am paying
£85 a night for Westin Boston,
£95 for Belleclaire in New York,
£70 Hilton Doubletree in Philly.
£55 Westin Washington.

Hello Scoobysu,

Just changed our reservation to the Four Seasons which dropped massively in price. I booked directly with them on 'stay 3 nights, get one of them free' deal. Paid a fully refundable one night deposit up front for a one bed SUITE - 1100 sq ft...total cost ex taxes is £1300 12-18 April - thats a £600 saving on the expedia fully refundable rate. Had to contact the hotel to book it as the rate wasn't showing for my dates but they did it anyway! We go to the Wynn for our last two nights...

On upgrades...we have tried the $20/$50 trick at the palazzo and the wynn and don't think it made any difference at all but have heard it works for lots of people, perhaps we were just unlucky. Found the cheapest way for getting a better room at the wynn/bellagio is to upgrade on arrival.

Seems like all the rates are dropping now which is grrreat news for all of us eh.

[Darren Wheeler]

Interestingly, my conversations with staff who work in hotels in Vegas about the $20/$50 'trick' is the total opposite.

They have all said they would instantly and loudly return it as the hotels class it as gross misconduct and they can be sacked on the spot. All those cameras at check-in are not there for fun.

No job is work $50 and in Vegas, the hotels are very tight with each other and bad news travels fast.

I often use lowcostusa, but the dollar is strong at the moment so prices are coming in high.

Usually email the hotel for a better room and pool or strip view whichever you prefer. Away from lifts, ice machines road noise etc. They always accommodate us. linda y)

I booked direct with hotel last time and checked on a monthly basis to see if the prices had dropped. They dropped 3 times in all before our trip and each time I telephoned or e-mailed them and they dropped my price accordingly, so what ever you pay keep checking and if it drops just get in touch with hotel and they will honor the dropped price.

I booked direct with hotel last time and checked on a monthly basis to see if the prices had dropped. They dropped 3 times in all before our trip and each time I telephoned or e-mailed them and they dropped my price accordingly, so what ever you pay keep checking and if it drops just get in touch with hotel and they will honor the dropped price.

That's what I did for our 2008 & 2011 trips & am doing at the moment

Thanks all for your tips - only 79 sleeps to go!

ScoobySu

Hello Scoobysu,

Seems like all the rates are dropping now which is grrreat news for all of us eh.

Really hope so Clanger - still have zip lining, gun store & a show to book!

V Flyer meet up moved to Wynn Parasol Down bar then perhaps (here's hoping they still do the glorious White Cosmo's ....) ????

ScoobySu