Want To Go To Vegas? Now Might Be the Best Time Ever

Long a destination for gamblers, Las Vegas has spent a quarter century reinventing itself as an entertainment destination — and those bets have paid off as the metro area has become one of the fastest growing in the nation in recent years. Validating its ascent, it’s also scored a number of Pro sports franchises, a place on the F1 circuit, and hosted the Super Bowl.

But things aren’t all bright and beautiful on the Vegas Strip, where hotels and hospitality are ringing in at the cheapest in a generation thanks to tourism troubles, the rise of legal online gambling, and a souring economic picture. The notoriously expensive tourist trap is pulling out the stops to avoid becoming a ghost town.

These deals are getting crazy: If you’ve ever yearned for the lights of the Vegas Strip, you might be in luck. As deals go, there haven’t been many like this. Arguably, the last time Vegas was this cheap was in the latter 1990s, when it could reasonably be described as an “affordable” destination. Since then, it has gained a penchant for being expensive, but now that hospitality giants are practically begging for visitors, the deals and discounts on hotels have been getting crazy.

• The rooms are already cheap: The Venetian Resort is up to 25% off, Caesars Palace is offering 15% off — and rooms on the strip are going for as cheap as $69.
• Some will even throw in some credits: Circa Resort & Casino is offering a 2-night stay with a $100 dining credit, $100 beverage credit, and a daybed at Stadium Swim.
• There are even all-inclusive deals: For under $350, MGM Resorts is offering two nights at Luxor or Excalibur, three meals a day, two show tickets, and coaster rides.

Does It Get Cheaper Than This?

I understand Vegas doesn’t appeal to everybody for a litany of reasons, cost and appeal certainly among them. However, considering it’s one of the cheapest places you can get a hotel right now — and maybe even make it an affordable weekend getaway.

• Many Vegas hotels are in the American Express MaxFHR or Chase’s The Edit collection, which means that you can book through your creditor’s portals for extra benefits.
• I’ve considered that for some people, it could be an interesting way to spend your card’s annoying hotel credits — it’s sort of “free money” to spend.

TL;DR: I could see a world where these deals become quite compelling, especially if you’ve never visited Vegas. At a minimum, it might be worth doing, even if you don’t try your hand at the slots.