Vegas Trips on a Budget - Part 8 of 9: Coupons and Discounts

Part 8 of my Vegas Trips on a Budget series covers the use of coupons, online gift certificates, and internet discount codes.

While I try to pre-plan my trips so that I know the cost of most major expenditures like entertainment, hotels and, to a certain extent, food, I also leave room for additional coupon usage and a change in plans if I find something new I'd like to try. Good deals go a long way to making my trip more enjoyable.

Coupons and Discounts

Look for the showgirls and casino employees with the smiles and the deals - Many hotels and casinos often have showgirls or other employees handing out two-for-one coupons, $ off coupons, or discounted/free passes to certain shows, events, or the buffet. They are usually found right outside the casino's main doors, or right inside the casino entrances, so keep your eyes open for some good deals.

Check out online sites for promotional codes and discounts before you book anything - Sites like earlyvegas.com (http://www.earlyvegas.com/promo_codes.html) have promo codes for everything from late checkouts to a free night's stay, so look before you book. Also, smartervegas.com (http://www.smartervegas.com/) offers different types of discounts for hotel stays and shows. Do a Google search for "las vegas discount codes" and check out the numerous savings opportunities.

Look into online gift certificates - Sites like http://www.restaurant.com/ offer different % discounts for dining options all over the country. Participating restaurants and discount rates change frequently, so check back to see if what you're looking for is on the list.

Consider purchasing coupon books before you leave - Coupon books like the American Casino Guide (ACG) or the smaller Las Vegas Advisor (LVA) Member Rewards Book can be purchased from online retailers and businesses like Amazon.com or Las Vegas Advisor (http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/whyjoin-mrb2009.cfm?tn=1), respectively. The ACG has coupons for places other than just Las Vegas and the surrounding area as the name suggests, and a lot of the coupons are specific to downtown and locals' casinos. Make sure to consider these things before you make your purchase. Also, coupons from the ACG expire at the end of each year, so a new book must be purchased every year if you like what you find. The LVA coupons expire, as well, but not necessarily at the end of each year. Do your research before you purchase.

Arrange your coupons and plan your itinerary around them - Instead of heading from one side of Vegas to the other and back again trying to use specific coupons or get the best deals, plan your trip ahead of time along a predetermined path so that you use coupons at nearby locations and don't end up backtracking and wasting your precious vacation time.

Ask about coupon sheets or booklets at the casino slot clubs before you gamble - When you visit a casino, head to the slot club first and find out if they have a coupon sheet or booklet with coupons that are specific to the casino. Also be sure you sign up for their slot card at that time if you haven't already done so; hopefully you'll receive future offers for discounted or even free rooms and shows, but you won't get the offers if you don't sign up.

Double-check your check in swag - Sometimes you'll receive a matchplay coupon or two when you check in to your hotel, so don't just stuff everything in your suitcase before you look at your loot. Matchplay coupons may be found in your check in packet, or they may be waiting for you on your hotel room bed when you first head to your room. Either way, be sure to use them if you like to play the games offered (usually blackjack or roulette), or offer them to another gambler when you head downstairs to play.

Look for matchplay and free drink coupons on place mats at certain restaurants - Ellis Island is famous for having blackjack match plays and free drink coupons on their place mats at each setting. Use them, but be sure to read the fine print to make sure you are following all their rules. Some places will only allow you to use one matchplay or drink coupon at any table game or bar per visit, even though more than one matchplay and drink coupon is printed for your use. You may have to change tables or seats before you can play or use the additional coupons.

Coupons can be used for freebies, too - Also included in the ACG (as well as from some of the on-line sources below) are coupons for a free gift with slot card sign up. The coupon must be present to receive the free gift, so don't assume you can leave the coupon in the book and just ask when you sign up for the slot card. Also, the coupon sheets received at check in may offer free t-shirts and hats after X number of dollars or points have been played through the machines or at the tables, so don't forget about these.

Miscellaneous free and discounted coupons - http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/las-vegas-coupons.htm

Two free passes for the Imperial Palace Auto Collection - http://autocollections.com/index.cfm?action=free&tab=free

Las Vegas coupons and deals - http://www.vegascoupons.com/las-vegas-coupons.html

More miscellaneous coupons - http://www.vegas4locals.com/coupons.html

Even more discounts and coupons - http://coupons.wedoitallvegas.com/

That's it for individual money-saving subjects I'd planned to cover in my series. Tomorrow I'll wrap up my tips with some not-to-be-forgotten rules and advice for making sure your trip is safe and fun, no matter what you decide to do.