{"id":2903,"date":"2013-05-26T23:09:37","date_gmt":"2013-05-27T06:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/pointssummary\/?p=2903"},"modified":"2013-05-26T23:20:01","modified_gmt":"2013-05-27T06:20:01","slug":"how-to-trip-plan-a-quick-jaunt-to-las-vegas-on-a-budget-using-miles-and-elite-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/pointssummary\/2013\/05\/26\/how-to-trip-plan-a-quick-jaunt-to-las-vegas-on-a-budget-using-miles-and-elite-status\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Trip Plan A Quick Jaunt to Las Vegas On A Budget Using Miles And Elite Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019m about to embark on a quick two day trip to Las Vegas in the morning. I recently booked my flights and hotels using a combination Avios, BRG rates, and corporate rates.<\/p>\n

\"lax2las\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Flights:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I used 9,000 British Airways Avios points + $5 cash for a round-trip ticket on American Airlines from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

\"vegass3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

American Airlines wants $388 for the exact same flight.<\/p>\n

\"vegass4\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Hotels:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am staying one night at the Westin Las Vegas on a BRG rate of $54.97+ taxes. The tax breakdown includes a $19.95 resort fee, but it is waived for Platinum guests. My total with taxes will be $63.96 and a Best Rate Guarantee reward of 2,000 Starpoints.<\/p>\n

\"vegass1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As a Platinum guest, I will be earning 2,662 Starpoints (base + Platinum bonus + Platinum Amenity + BRG reward) on a $54.97 rate. I value 2,662 Starpoints (at 3 cents per point) to be $79.86 in value, so I\u2019ll actually be making money on this stay.<\/p>\n

I am also staying one night at the Doubletree by Hilton Tropicana Hotel on an MVP rate<\/a> (Hilton Family MVP<\/a> public corporate code) of $55.20+taxes.<\/p>\n

\"vegass2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I read on Flyertalk that the resort fee is not waived for Gold or Diamond guests, but I won\u2019t hesitate to ask the front desk agent. You never know until you ask. My total comes out to $84.21 with taxes and the resort fee, but I will be earning Hilton HHonors points and will be given stay\/night credit. As a Gold member, I will also be given free breakfast at their buffet. I heard it is continental, but there are mixed reviews about it being hot or a $10 upcharge.<\/p>\n

Bottom Line<\/strong><\/p>\n

Las Vegas can either be really cheap (motel 6, downtown hotels, Travelodge, The Quad, Excalibur) or really expensive (Venetian, MGM SkyLofts, Wynn, Encore, Mandarin Oriental, Cosmopolitan). I am not impressing anyone on this trip so, I will try to maximize my cash by staying at mid-range hotels for cheap and taking public transportation (WAX bus) instead of using taxi\u2019s.<\/p>\n

I spent 9,000 Avios + $5 cash, $64.86 at the Westin, and $84.21 at the Tropicana. Leveraging my elite status with American Airlines, I chose exit row seats and will be boarding first as an Executive Platinum member. My Platinum status with Starwood will get me a chance at a suite upgrade and 4pm late checkout. My Hilton HHonors Gold Elite status will provide me with a possible upgrade to their Bungalow Room or Suite and provide free breakfast in the morning.<\/p>\n

Final Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

I spent 9,000 Avios and $154.07 in cash (flight tax+hotels), but I will gain a round-trip flight to Las Vegas, two nights stay at mid-range hotels, 2,662 Starpoints (worth $79.86), and free breakfast ($15-$20). I think I did pretty well leveraging my stash of Avios and knowledge of BRG rates with my airline and hotel loyalty programs. Now it’s off to Las Vegas! Follow me on Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for live updates on my trip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  I\u2019m about to embark on a quick two day trip to Las Vegas in the morning. I recently booked my flights and hotels using…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2907,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[205,49,50],"tags":[514,515,519,4,513,516,517,518,38],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Trip Plan A Quick Jaunt to Las Vegas On A Budget Using Miles And Elite Status - Points Summary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"las vegas on a budget, las vegas, budget, how to trip plan a quick jaunt to las vegas, quick jaunt to las vegas, trip plan, trip planning, las, vegas\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/first2board.com\/pointssummary\/2013\/05\/26\/how-to-trip-plan-a-quick-jaunt-to-las-vegas-on-a-budget-using-miles-and-elite-status\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Trip Plan A Quick Jaunt to Las Vegas On A Budget Using Miles And Elite Status - 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