cheap flights / hotels?

[zackster]

OK, I bought my ticket.

Any suggestions on where to stay/which airline to book? I'm on a budget and coming from NYC

[Gene]

Originally Posted by zackster

OK, I bought my ticket.

Any suggestions on where to stay/which airline to book? I'm on a budget and coming from NYC

I checked hotwire.com and priceline.com. I bought from hotwire. The two sites have deals on hotels as well. I am staying at the Flamingo and booked direct through the hotel web site as it was the same price and I could get a refund if I checked out earlier than expected by booking directly with the hotel.

I imagine there are cheaper places to stay if cost is an issue but I decided to stay there because it is the location of the conference.

[mattyblu]

I'm staying at the Riviera for roughly $40 a night courtesy of Hotwire.

[zackster]

Seems like Hotwire is a hot option.

[Mabel]

Caution: You can often get just as good of a deal by calling the hotel directly and booking your stay. This also gives you more flexibility and bargaining power. In case you don't make it--you are not stuck paying the whole bill like you are if you buy online. Also--you can make all sorts of requests such as for a non-smoking room due to health reasons, upgrades etc. I always asks the folks on the phone for tips on how to address the whole check-in process in order to maximize my perks. I am staying at the Imperial Palace with room nights costing me anywhere from $15 on some nights to $80 on the most expensive night.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Mabel

Caution: You can often get just as good of a deal by calling the hotel directly and booking your stay. This also gives you more flexibility and bargaining power. In case you don't make it--you are not stuck paying the whole bill like you are if you buy online.

This was why I booked the hotel directly with the Flamingo instead of using hotwire. The cost was the same direct or hotwire.

[Michelle]

Since I am staying for two weeks, I decided to book two hotels.

My first hotel, the Paris, I booked through Expedia. Their rates were slightly better than the "Hot Deal" prices offered on the hotel's website and after doing a quick Google search for "Expedia Promo Codes", I found a code which actually ended up saving me a further $10 per night.

For my stay at the Flamingo I booked directly with the hotel since they offered the best rates.