I don't completely understand how you are getting your deals. I think you are using accumulated reward points from a credit card or other source, so the vacation isn't really costing you anything. It's just a matter of how much point value you are using?

I did a little investigating, If you were paying cash/credit card for your rooms, you shouldn't have to pay more than $100 per night for places like Mirage, TI, Monte Carlo, on their own package deals, as long as it isn't a blackout date. Many include extra discounts for shows, spas, meals, etc.

In the US, travel agencies used to find great deals. They are not so popular these days as people can get on the internet and do their own searching and some people enjoy the excitement of seaching for the best possible deal.

We have one credit card and use it to purchase pretty well anything, gas, food, shopping etc. We pay it off each month and avoid any charges and accumulate points as we go along. We usually use the points for christmas gifts but my wife spent the first two months of the year in the hospital and it was a bit of a wake up for us to start doing some things together hence this trip to Las Vegas. You have to book any trips through the banks travel service so you don't get a full choice of hotels but we are happy with our selection.
My brother and I go away on a motorcycle trip every summer (this year to gettysburg and area to soak up some civil war history) but she never comes along so this will be the first vacation together since 1996 (I think or maybe 1992). We could have gone cheaper and just book a hotel and gotten cheap airfare through the airline my son works for but decided we didn't want to take a chance on standby. I call her my wife because we have been together for 26 years but just never gotten around to that marriage thing. Please, no suggestions of the "Little White Chapel" while we are there. Don't want to ruin a good thing.

I hope this isn't too personal a question - but does your wife also ride a motorcycle? I ask because we met a couple at Seneca Niagara - last year, I think - who were there on motorcycles, and we really hit it off. This couple had been involved with some sort of foster care of teenagers.

Any chance it was you?

Sorry Kes, but it couldn't be us. I have taken the bike to Seneca at times but my wife doesn't ride herself. She sometimes come's with me for a day ride but thats about it.

We were just in Vegas in April. We stayed at IP. They were 'redoing' the wing on our floor. So remodeling is in process. I booked a "nonsmoking" room and we got in after midnight. All that was left was smoking rooms. I told them hubby had a C-pap machine and could not be in a smoking room. I did the $20 trick explaining I did indeed book a nonsmoking room. We got a luvtub suite. A friend was also staying there, and she had a regular room..... it was fine if you don't expect fancy. It was clean and safe, that's all I require in a room. I wouldn't hestitate to stay there again. I love Carnivale Court and would love to have a room on that side of the building.

But, like the others said, stay away from the Capri rooms out back, and valet park if you have a car.

Thanks for the update Kats. How were the comps and did you eat there?