The $20 Trick – Does it Work?

Vegas $20 trickFor those of you that haven’t heard of this, it works sometimes, and it doesn’t sometimes. Here’s Vegas on a Budget’s recommendation of what to do, followed by a disclaimer of sorts:

Walk in to the check-in desk of your hotel room, and if you have previously booked a standard room, this works even better. When you get to the front of the line, pull out your credit card, driver’s license, and a $20 bill. Set the $20 bill in the middle of the two cards and politely ask, “Are there any complimentary upgrades available?” The desk clerk may just offer a free upgrade! If it doesn’t work, no sweat, at least you tried. In most cases, the clerk will return your money; be prepared if they don’t. They have the ability to upgrade rooms at their discretion, so this is perfectly legal. We have heard of some places have tried to ban this, but hotels don’t give an official answer on it. Give it a shot!

If you’re the type that doesn’t do “tricks” like these, simply speaking with the hotel clerk about what you intend to do is also an acceptable practice. Chances are the room you’d have been upgraded to would sit empty anyway.

Don’t forget about version 1.1 of the Vegas iPhone App, which includes all the latest restaurants, shows, nightclubs, and more. At just $1.99, it will save you on 411 calls and pay for itself in a matter of minutes from its first use. Don’t forget to head to Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Circus Circus and Slots a Fun Host Monday Night Football

cheap vegas foodIf you’re a football fan like most of America, you know the value of sitting and watching the game with an ice cold beer on Monday night. We found a good deal on both cheap beer and football at Slots-a-Fun. Watch the game at the Slots a Fun bar right next to Circus Circus and get a bucket of 4 domestic or imported beers for $10. Not bad at all considering some of the outrageous prices both on- and off-Strip.

Want more information on Circus Circus? Click here. Also, don’t forget to check out Slots-A-Fun itself while you’re there; it’s a great place to gamble for cheap and has a dollar menu of appetizers (more info HERE). Still not done looking for cheap Vegas outlets? Get version 1.1 of the Vegas iPhone App, which includes all the latest restaurants, shows, nightclubs, and more. Don’t forget to head to Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Vegas on a Budget – Wynn Revamps Red Card Program

Las Vegas Wynn Hotel(from Wynn and Encore; for those of you looking for cheap Vegas deals, this will help!)

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — (PRESS RELEASE) — In an ongoing effort to reward the resort’s loyal guests, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort will launch enhancements to the Red Card loyalty program. Red Card provides members extraordinary benefits for unmatched experiences exclusive to Wynn Resorts. Beginning Tues. Sept. 20, guests will be able to earn points, free credit and comps faster than before and redeem for services and amenities available at two world class resorts with the ease and usability of just one card.

Enhancements made to the existing Red Card program include:

How to earn a point:

    • Starting on Sept. 20, 2011 all points will be earned at the new rate.
    • Reel Slot Machine- for every $1.50 you play, you earn 1 point
    • Video Poker- for every $6 or $15 you play (depending on the poker game) you earn 1 point.

Use Red Card while gaming and earn comps for coveted fine dining or show reservations, cabanas at one of the resort’s magnificent pools, tee times at the exclusive Wynn Country Club, special rates on the resorts’ luxurious guest rooms and redeem your points for FREECREDIT that can be downloaded right at any slot machine. Reward yourself with Red Card and experience all that Wynn Las Vegas and Encore have to offer.

Guests of Wynn Resorts are already members as Red Card also serves as the guest room key. If not staying as a hotel guest, patrons can become a member by visiting the Red Card desk located on the casino floor or inquire at any table game and present a valid driver’s license or passport to obtain a Red Card.

For more great Vegas deals and hotels, get the Vegas iPhone App. It will point you to all of the best-priced hotels, attractions, and restaurants and rates them by price. Enjoy, and be sure to head to Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Ports O’ Call Buffet

Cheap Vegas BuffetThe Gold Coast Hotel has a very cheap (and yet very good) buffet if you’re looking for the best way to stuff your face and not empty your bank account. Vegas on a Budget made the plunge and quite enjoyed its food. More information can be found at their web site HERE. Also, for those of you that are budget-conscious, get the Vegas iPhone App. It will point you to all of the best-priced hotels, attractions, and restaurants and rates them by price. Enjoy, and be sure to head to Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Magnolia’s Veranda Prime Rib

Vegas on a budget

Cheap prime rib in Vegas exists! Magnolia’s Veranda has a fantastic special on prime rib at the Four Queens Hotel. For just $7.95, you can get their famous prime rib dinner, and they haven’t cut any corners–this is cheap food but quality taste! For non-rewards card-members, it’s still a very reasonable $9.99. Take the time to sign up for a rewards card and you get a buy one, get one free as your first meal!

Even if prime rib isn’t your thing, Magnolia’s Veranda features a wide variety of your favorite dishes including daily food specials served 24 hours per day, and it overlooks the casino floor. You can get ham steak and eggs, a bowl of chicken gumbo, double cheeseburgers and fries, or barbecue baby back ribs, among others. Also, for the best opinions and Vegas values, get our Vegas iPhone App. Save money on 411 calls and time on doing the research; we bring it all right to you for next to nothing. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Cheap Hotel in Vegas – Best Western Mardis Gras Inn

cheap hotels in vegasWe’re back with another great hotel for those of you that want your cheap vegas hotels! The Best Western Mardis Gras Inn is just off the Strip and pet-friendly, as well as being very well-priced considering the location. They offer 24-hour service and food, which is also a plus. It may not have some of the trappings of the bigger hotels, but you can’t beat the location and price for those thinking Vegas on a budget! Cheap hotels in Vegas don’t get any better.

Still not sure which hotel to pick to complete your stay in Vegas? Use our Vegas iPhone App to help you plan the rest of your quick trip or vacation to Vegas. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

More Cheap Eats and a Cheap Hotel

Vegas Buffets

(taken from Where to Eat in Vegas) We have covered some cheap places to eat that are near the Strip, but what about options for the more adventurous in search of a good bargain? We have you taken care of! Here are some options that will leave you full and ready to get back into town with a heavier wallet than usual:

The Stations

These would be Boulder, Palace, Texas, and Sunset Stations, and they offer some good buffet food away from the hustle and bustle. Notice we say good, not great. If you’re looking for fancy food or presentation, look away, but if you’re in for a good, well-priced meal that will fill you up, any of the buffets here will do.

Terrible’s (site here)

As the name implies, you may want to pick and choose what to eat here based on the time of day. Late night, you can get steak, chicken, spaghetti, and more for only about five bucks. Perfect after a night of partying, and the breakfast deals run all day — pancakes, eggs, and bacon for three bucks. Not bad for food that’s not terrible.

Ellis Island Microbrewery (site here)

It’s about a block away from center Strip and the largest Super 8 we’ve seen. It has a great $8 steak special that isn’t on the menu; ask for it, however, and you get one of the best deals in Vegas food. Home-brewed beer and a Thursday pizza special complete a great value if you don’t mind the atmosphere.

We also have a great deal on where to stay–Circus Circus in Vegas. It’s perfect whether for a family vacation or just to enjoy the sights and sounds.

What Vegas values would you like to share with us? E-mail us and let us know what great (or not-so-great) Vegas food experiences you’ve had. Also, don’t forget to check out our Vegas iPhone App and check the hundreds of restaurants we have in our database, complete with price ratings for all the best food values in Vegas. For now, have a look around, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!