Save Money in Vegas With These *Actionable* Tips

Vegas has shed its value destination “reputation? due, in part, to the proliferation of fees… on darn near everything

Fortunately, I love finding new ways to save money.

Take my suggestions with a grain of salt and fit them in where applicable. I certainly don’t advocate a bare-bones trip to Vegas where you fear splurging on anything – That would be miserable.

Pick and choose where you can cut back.

Save on Hotels

Take Advantage of Affiliation Discounts

Most resorts offer discounted rates based on affiliation.

I’ve put together a list of resorts offering the following affiliation discounts:

• Military Discounts
• AAA Discounts
• Senior/AARP Discounts
• Government Employee Discounts

Join Loyalty Programs

Before you gamble a dollar, sign up for that property’s loyalty program and always use your player’s card.

After you get some casino play under your belt, you’ll likely receive deeper discounts, or even free rooms, depending on your play.

If you’re new to Vegas, you can sign up for programs like Caesars and MGM Rewards from home. You’ll receive a small discount on your room just by being a part of the program.

Never “chase comps” by gambling more than you’re comfortable with. That’s a losing proposition.

Book Direct

Booking directly with the properties in Las Vegas is usually cheaper than via 3rd parties.

There’s also a lot less risk that something could go wrong with the booking.

After you’ve spent any amount of money in the casino, it’s even more beneficial to book direct.

Always be Re-Booking

Most resorts allow free cancellation right up to the last minute. This allows you to check back early and often for cheaper rates, a better room, or deals at other properties.

I rarely settle for my first booking, and the thrill of the hunt is a TON of fun for me.

Never lock yourself into a non-refundable booking, as you won’t be able to adjust if pricing changes.

Avoid Conventions

Vegas has a booming convention business and shows can attract tens, if not hundreds of thousands of visitors, driving up rates. Cross-reference your travel dates vs. the convention calendar.

Visit During “Off-Peak” Season

Visit during less popular times when room rates are depressed.

Not surprisingly, months in the heat of summer or the cold of winter attract the fewest visitors and tend to be the cheapest time to visit Las Vegas.

Avoid Weekends

Rooms are less expensive Sunday – Thursday when there’s less demand. My typical itinerary is Sunday arrival and a Wednesday departure – GREAT deals to be had!

Holidays and long weekends like Memorial Day, Labor Day, New Year’s Eve, and the 4th of July should all be avoided.

Ask for a Complimentary Upgrade at Check-in: The $20 dollar trick gets amble buzz on social media, but I usggest saving the $20 bucks and asking politely for an upgrade when checking in.

If it works, feel free to tip for great service.

I don’t recommend blindly passing $20 to the front desk without any guarantees.  

Save on Food & Drink

Gorge Yourself at a Cheap Buffet

On the topic of buffets, cheap buffets are a great opportunity to fill up for less. I keep an updated breakdown of the cheapest buffets in Las Vegas that details budget options on the Strip and Downtown.

On the Strip, your cheapest option is the Buffet at Circus Circus.

On Fremont Street, you’ll want to check out the Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station.

Book a Room with a Kitchen

While hotel rooms in Las Vegas with a kitchen cost a bit more upfront, cooking a few meals in the room vs. eating out can save you money.

If a kitchen interests you, I suggest looking into Vdara.

Stock Your Room

Convenience stores like CVS, Target, and Walgreens are rarely further than a block away, and prices are not much higher than you’re used to back at home. Skip the overpriced hotel gift shop and stock up on drinks, snacks, and any other supplies for your room!  

All You Can Drink Deals

If your goal is to quickly elevate your BAC, several bars offer all-you-can-drink deals good for beer, cocktails, and wine.

For hangover nursing, many restaurants also offer bottomless mimosas and bloody marys over brunch.

Hunt Down Happy Hours

Obviously, drinks are free when you are gambling, but many like to grab a beer or cocktail while not precking the spin button.

I keep an updated list of drink deals on the Strip and downtown Las Vegas happy hours for your reference.

My favorite deals include $3 bottled beer at Casino Royale, $1 Michelobs at Stage Door Casino, and $4 Heineken/Modelo at the downtown Boyds (The Cal, MSS, and Fremont).

Eat at Cheap Restaurants

Among my favorite ways to save money in Las Vegas is eating cheap for breakfast and lunch, then splurging for something more upscale for dinner.

If that sounds like a savings strategy you could adopt, check out my guides to eating cheap on the Strip and cheap eats on Fremont Street which lists inexpensive meal options by property.

Downtown Grand will sell you a dog & a beer for just $3!

Save on Activities

Shop Around for Tickets

If you’re looking to book a show or attraction in advance, shop around to get the best price.

I typically check with the attraction directly, Groupon, and Vegas.com before pulling the trigger.

Cheap (and FREE) Activities

I’ve created a rundown of cheap things to do (under $25), to help you stretch your budget. Options range from a spin on the high roller to virtual reality!

There are also nearly 100 free things to do on the Strip & downtown that I’ve spent years compiling.

Las Vegas Advisor Coupon Book 

LVA publishes an annual coupon book that is chock-full of deals that includes casino freeplay, dining offers, and more – It’s well worth the money, and easily pays for itself.

Timeshare Presentations

You can score free show tickets, tours, or hotel rooms by sitting through a timeshare presentation.

Even if you don’t intend to purchase, I don’t recommend giving up hours of your Vegas vacation unless you are desperate to save.

Free Live Music

A surprisingly large number of bars offer free live music (I maintain the list) on select nights of the week.

Two of the more popular free shows take place at Carnaval Court, which is sandwiched between Harrah’s and LINQ as well as the Big Elvis show at Harrah’s Piano Bar.

Save on Gambling

Gamble Away From the Strip

Table minimums are more affordable, rules more player-friendly, and slots more apt to pay out when you venture downtown, to the Boulder Strip, or even North Las Vegas.

Favorites of mine in the locals market include Sam’s Town, Palace Station, and South Point.

Play Higher Denominations

Commonly, slot players will play upwards of $3 a pull on the penny slots, however, according to data from the Nevada Gaming Commission, penny slots are among the tightest in Vegas.

As a general rule of thumb, slots get looser at higher denominations. Play the same bet, but on a higher denomination machine.

Avoid Table Games With Unfriendly Rules

More and more casinos are rolling out 6-5 blackjack and 000 (even 0000 now!) roulette games.

These games are designed to drain your funds at a faster clip. Instead, find a blackjack game that pays 3-2 or a roulette wheel with 2 zeros (or even 1 if possible).

Cheap 3:2 blackjack can be played at Ellis Island, behind Horseshoe and cheap single-zero roulette can be found at Plaza, downtown.

Avoid Table Game Side Bets

Most table games like Pai Gow Poker and Blackjack offer enticing side bets, often associated with big payouts. These bets typically have a large house edge.

At the end of the day though, I’m also a jackpot-chasing degenerate. I won’t judge your action.

Avoid Parlays

While sports betting is known to have notoriously low hold rates of around 5% on straight bets, parlay cards are big winners for the house with holds hovering in the mid-20% range.

Avoid Expensive ATMs

On the Strip, you will likely pay around $10 to access your own money. Save by bringing cash.  If you do need to use an ATM, try to leverage one that is cheap – The cheapest ATMs in Vegas can be found at CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Casino Royale.

Save on Getting Around

Leverage Public Transportation

The Deuce bus route runs up and down the Strip to Fremont Street. 24-hour passes can be purchased for $8, while a 2-hour fare costs $6.

While the Deuce is cheap, it isn’t the fastest or least crowded option out there. The Deuce is for those that are willing to sacrifice speed and comfort.

You can also take the CX route from the airport to your Fremont Street hotel for a measly $2 one-way. In this case, public transportation represents significant savings over a $20-$25 Uber.  

Use the Downtown Loop Shuttle

Completely free, the hop-on / hop-off shuttle offers stops at notable locations like Fremont East, the Mob Museum, Circa, Pawn Plaza, the Arts District, and even Strat at the north end of the Strip. Check here for a full list of Downtown Loop Shuttle stops.

Use the Monorail 

While it only runs up and down the east side of the Strip, the Monorail can be an inexpensive way to get to and from your destination. A one-way ride is $6, and longer timeframes are available for a discount.

The Monorail is especially useful if you’re traveling north to Sahara or Westgate, as it’ll be a less expensive option than a cab or ride-share.

Leverage Free Airport Shuttles

Airport transportation is expensive, often costing upwards of $15-$30 one way. I maintain an updated (but shrinking) list of hotels that provide free shuttles to and from the airport.

Avoid Taxis

Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are typically cheaper. Taxis drivers have also gotten a bad reputation for taking the “scenic route” or long-hauling to drive up fares.

Price Shop Rideshare Options: I was reminded of this recently when an Uber was going to cost upwards of $30 for a trip that Lyft was offering for $14. Have both apps installed on your phone and ensure you comparison shop!