Hello there,

I am planning my first trip to Las Vegas and I am currently looking into staying at the Rio. I am from the UK and will travelling on my own and will most likely be booking my trip at a travel agents in the UK meaning the hotel will be paid for before I leave the UK.

However, I do not have a credit card nor do I wish to get one, and I have heard that upon check in a CC is needed to cover incidentals. How does this work at the Rio, and would it be possible to simply pay a cash deposit for incidentals instead of supplying a card?

Any help / advise would be great

Reagards

UpInTheSky

Have you considered the possiblity you could be robbed. Now you find yourself alone, not a citizen, no friends to help and no credit card to get you out of trouble. I storngly suggest you get a debit/credit card combo. The hotel will want one. If your too reluctant or can't qualify for one you need to call the hotel in advance and make arrangements for credit.

I do just the opposite of what your doing. I take a little cash to get me to vegas and then use my debit card to get money from the atm as I need it. Thus, I don't carry a lot of cash on me just for safety reasons.

PS, if you like this idea, you need to know that debit cards have a daily withdrawal limit ,ex. $250 a day. If you call the issuer you can set up a higher limit for the days your in Vegas ex. $700.
Last keep in mind your not using a credit card your using the debit side of it and only removing money from your account not charging anything.

Travelers checks are better then carrying cash and can be easily cashed at any casino cage. Using the ATM at the casinos can be very costly as they charge fees up to $5 per transaction and international transaction fee on top of any your bank would charge. If you do not use credit the casino will require a cash deposit at check in. You travel agent can confirm the deposit amount required. Also, your bank can wire funds to the casino in advance and issue it to you as needed.

Since you are staying at RIO you are off the strip and I don't reccomend you walk to the strip by yourself. If you decide to go to the strip RIO offers free shuttle service to and from Paris and Harrah's.

Thanks for the replies guy's.

Firstly I will be taking little cash and mainly travellers cheques and my UK debit card. Would not walk around my city with a load of cash let alone vegas!

But the main thing I was wanting to know is, When I check in at the Rio will I have to give them my card or can I pay incidental deposit in cash?

Thanks

Per RIO website:
A credit card or $200 deposit is required on all reservations. For incidental charging to the room, a $100 per day credit card deposit will be taken in addition to your entire room and tax for the stay (No cash deposits). Alternatively, a one time $200 flat fee of cash or credit card may be given, however, this would only allow phone and movie privileges.

Your travel agent can confirm at the time of the reservation.

Now that you have good advice, I'm curious how you picked The Rio hotel. It's not a wrong choice or a bad choice. Most first time travelers seem to prefer a more centralized location on the strip within easy walking distance of several other major hotels and attractions.

Thanks for the replies people



Yeah sure, I have friends who have been to Vegas many times, and have recommend the Rio. I am going to Vegas mainly for poker. I am not 100% certain I will be staying at the Rio though

Thanks

We love the Rio with only one big problem its location. We have been upgraded to very nice rooms by using the $20.00 tip/trick.

vegas traveler