Las Vegas Offering Incredible Travel Deals This Summer

The current economic condition is impacting cities and tourism across the U.S., but it seems that Las Vegas is getting hit extra hard. Conventions and business meetings that would typically be held in Sin City have been cancelled, scaled-down or moved, and vacationers don't seem to be shelling out the money for Las Vegas trips like they did in the past.

To combat the reduction in visitors, the Las Vegas resorts, hotels and motels are all offering incredible deals throughout the summer, with guest rooms at three-star resorts going for as low as $31.00 per night, and rooms at the most luxurious properties along the Las Vegas Strip going for a nightly rate around $100.00 per night (sometimes less).

To find the best accommodations rates, first visit the websites operated by the popular resort hotels located along The Strip, and search for online deals and promotions. Next, check out the special promotions offered online by TravelZoo.com. Finally, compare those prices with what's being offered by the popular online travel services, like Hotels.com, Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com and Kayak.com, for example.

I checked the current Las Vegas promotions being offered on TravelZoo.com, and here's just a sampling of the great deals I found:

• Excalibur Hotel & Casino (Three Stars) - $31.00 to $36.00 per night. Available Sundays to Thursdays throughout August.
• MGM-Grand (Four Stars) - $55.00 to $63.00 per night on select dates throughout July and August.
• The Mirage (Four Stars) - $81.00 to $99.00 per night. Available on most Sundays through Thursdays, between now and late-August.
• Caesar's Palace (Four Stars) - $90.00 to $100.00 per night (mid-week, throughout July and August).

In addition to these discounts, it's easy to find inexpensive flights to Las Vegas from most major U.S. cities on the "discount" airlines, like JetBlue, AirTran and Virgin America.

When shopping for the best rates on accommodations and airfares, you'll have the best luck if your travel dates are somewhat flexible. For example, try arriving on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (as opposed to on a Friday), and try departing on a Monday (instead of on a Sunday). On return flights from Las Vegas back to the East Coast, the overnight flights are always the least expensive and most readily available.

Once you arrive in Las Vegas, leave time in your schedule and budget to see some of the amazing shows, like Le Reve at The Wynn. If music is more your thing, the Barry Manilow show is incredible, as are the Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On and Cher shows.

You know you'll have an amazing evening of entertainment if you experience any of the mind-blowing and visually amazing Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, which include:

• Mystere (Treasure Island)
• "O" (Bellagio)
• Zumanity (New York, New York) - This show is for open-minded adults only.
• KA (MGM-Grand)
• The Beatles Love (The Mirage)
• Chris Angel Believe (Luxor)

Note: Cirque du Soleil is currently offering a 35% discount off of ticket prices for all of its shows to students, as well as a discount to seniors.

If you're planning a business trip to Las Vegas, be sure to first order a copy of my Entrepreneur Magazine's Business Traveler Guide to Las Vegas ($14.95, Entrepreneur Press) travel guide. You can order it from Amazon.com or BN.com. This book will help you save hundreds of dollars on your next business-related trip, plus insure you'll be as productive as possible, especially if you'll be attending an important business meeting or convention.

“Discount Airlines” Rule the Skies

Even when using online-based travel services, like Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com or Kayak.com, to book airline tickets with the major airlines at significant discounts, passengers still need to pay up when it comes to all of those extras – checking luggage, food, drinks, and booking fees, for example. These fees easily add $50.00 to $100.00 to the cost of a roundtrip ticket.

As a frequent flier, I’ve begun to seriously wonder why the major airlines aren’t following in the footsteps of JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America, AirTran, and the other “discount” airlines when it comes to offering extremely low airfares, few or no extra fees, and a friendly attitude amongst its flight attendants, ticket counter representatives and customer service personnel.

Many of these discount airlines also still offer free snacks and drinks, plus they’re not charging to check one or two pieces of luggage. They’re also a lot more flexible when it comes to cancelling or changing flights and don’t charge outrageous penalties of $100.00 or more, like the major airlines. (Pay attention United, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, etc.!)

If you’re looking for truly low airfares with far fewer restrictions and lower (or no) extra fees, but still want comfort and convenience on the airplane, seriously consider booking your future flights on one of the “discount” airlines, like JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America or AirTran.

Many of these airlines don’t offer their flights through the popular online travel services, so you’ll need to visit each of these airlines’ respective websites directly to compare fares, find flights and make online reservations. In fact, it’s often cheaper to book your airfare online than it is to call these airlines directly on the phone.

When visiting each airline’s website, sign up for their free email mailing list, and you’ll automatically be notified of online sales and special promotions that’ll allow you to save even more money on airfares or complete travel packages.

Simply by shopping around online and visiting the websites of the discount airlines directly, you often don’t have to worry about seven, 14 or 21-day advance purchases, or the traditional need to stay over on a Saturday night to get the lowest airfares.

This afternoon (Monday), I booked a non-stop flight on JetBlue for my mother - from Boston to Oakland, CA, departing tomorrow (Tuesday afternoon), and found a one-way airfare of just $99.00 (plus tax). Other airlines were charging $400.00 or more for a similar one-way, last-minute ticket. That brings me to the point that unlike the major airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, AirTran and Virgin America, for example, allow you to easily and cost-effectively book one way flights.

These airlines typically have fleets of new airplanes that offer comfortable seats featuring private TVs with a selection of cable TV channels (just bring your own headset to avoid a $1.00 or $2.00 charge). Some also now offer Wi-Fi Internet access on the flights (for a low fee). Check with each airline directly to see what in-flight services and amenities are offered.

Oh, and if you’re traveling with a pet, JetBlue is one of the first airlines to offer a really well thought out pet travel program, called JetPaws (www.jetblue.com/jetpaws). And, if you’re a student or senior citizen, be sure to inquire about special discounts offered by these airlines.

After recently flying with several of these “discount” airlines, I’ve become a fan, and I’m confident you will too! Plus, your bank account will appreciate it. One thing to consider before booking a flight that has one or more stops is the length of the layover. 

On a recent flight from Boston to San Francisco on JetBlue, I had a three hour layover in Long Beach, CA, which really extended my travel day. Obviously, book a direct flight whenever possible. If you do have a layover, one that lasts between 60 to 90 minutes is ideal. Any shorter, and you run the risk of missing your connecting flight, and any longer means waiting around in an airport. Happy travels!

What To Do When An Airline Loses Your Luggage

These days, most major airlines are charging passengers $15.00 to $25.00 per bag to check luggage. Yet, according to Air Travel Consumer Report, which is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, in October 2008, a total of 172,159 pieces of luggage were reported lost, delayed or mishandled by the country’s 20 largest airlines.

One year earlier, this figure was 281,657. For airline passengers, the chances of experiencing some type of luggage-related problem is about 3.55 in 1,000. According to this report, Northwest Airlines, AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines lost or delayed the most pieces of luggage in October 2008.

If an airline misplaces or delays your luggage, immediately report the problem to your airline by visiting the baggage assistance desk located near baggage claim at any airport. You will need to present your claim stubs (provided at check in), plus you’ll be asked to fill out a written report that describes your lost bags and their contents. You will then be given a special claim tracking number, as well as a toll-free phone number to track your claim.

Most lost luggage is found within a few hours and placed on the next flight to your destination city. It will then be delivered by a third-party messenger service to whatever address you supply. This delivery process can take up to 12 additional hours, so if you’re in a hurry to reclaim your delayed luggage, agree to pick it up in-person at the airport when it arrives. You may find it necessary to keep calling the airline to get an accurate estimated time of arrival for your delayed bags.

To help minimize the chances of your luggage being delayed or lost by an airline, follow these six basic steps:

1. Remove all old airline tags from your luggage.

2. When checking your luggage with the airline, make sure correctly labeled tags are attached to each of your bags by the ticket agent. The tag, which is printed on a large white sticker, should display the airport code of your destination city, along with your full name.

3. Arrive at the airport and check your luggage with the airline at least 60 to 120 minutes prior to your flight.

4. Securely attach one or two of your own luggage tags to each bag, listing your name and phone number. (Listing your cell phone number is recommended.) Listing your address is optional. Also include your contact information inside each bag.

5. Attach a colored ribbon around your bag’s handle or use a neon-colored luggage tag to help differentiate your bag from others with a similar design. This will reduce the chance of another traveler accidentally picking up your luggage in the baggage claim area. (Yes, this happens often, so make your bag look different from others.)

6. Never pack any valuables, including a camera or computer equipment, jewelry or important business papers in your checked luggage. Anything of value or that you’ll need as soon as you get off the airplane should be packed in your carry-on and kept with you. The airline limits what it will be financially responsible for if certain items are lost or damaged within your checked luggage, so make sure you do not pack and check any items that won't be covered.

Lost Luggage Tracking Phone Numbers For The Major Airlines

American Airlines - (800) 535-5225
AirTran Airways - (866) 247-2428 (Option #1)
Continental Airlines - (800) 335-2247
Delta Airlines - (800) 325-8224
JetBlue Airways - (866) 538-5438
Northwest Airlines - (800) 745-9798
Southwest Airlines - (800) 533-1222
United Airlines - (800) 221-6903