8 Money Savings Tips for Senior Las Vegas Travelers

Vegas deals are a must have. Senior citizens traveling to Las Vegas used to enjoy copious senior discounts. Unfortunately, with the communal belt tightening that is underway in the travel industry, many of these discounts have gone by the wayside. Airlines have folded, hotels have merged, and buffets are now charging more than ever. There is good news! When you read through these money saving tips for senior Las Vegas travelers you will not only save some serious dough, but also have the time of your life!

Join AARP, if you have not already done so
Even if you are not a joiner, the AARP travel benefits are well worth the while. In some cases there are going to be substantial savings and even upgrades you can get only with this card. Membership is cheap: only $12.50 for one year.

Don't forget AAA
AAA offers a bunch of benefits, and as a senior you will do well to squeeze every last ounce of savings out of a membership card you might already have in your wallet. What makes AAA such a beneficial organization is the fact that AAA travel benefits oftentimes go where AARP does not extend its savings.

Snooze at a Choice Hotel
The action is on the Strip, where the Mandalay Bay, Mirage and other casinos are offering tables, slot machines, and cute waitresses. Unfortunately, seniors do not get break there. Members of the Choice Hotel chain - Comfort Inn, Clarion, Econo Lodge, and others - on the other hand offer Mature Traveler discount rates. If you are at least 50 years young, you will save 10%. If you are 60 years young, you qualify to save between 20-30%! Receiving this discount is simple: just ask for the Sixty Plus Rate when making your room reservation. The number is 800-424-6423. There are plenty of hotels near the Strip.

Pack for your Health
Las Vegas is desert country. Depending when you go, it is about as hot as the face of the sun (no, not really; but close). Since it is a dry heat, there are quite a few problems that crop up for the unprepared traveler. Pack some nasal decongestant, pain relievers, eye drops, sugar free lozenges, rehydration packages (can be mixed with water to replenish lost salt), and moisturizing lotion.

Free Shows can be Fun!
So it's not the Blue Man Group, but if you want to take in a show and do it for free you might be willing to settle for a lesser act. Check out the free shows that happen daily at a variety of lounges all around town. Just show up, gamble, nurse a drink, and enjoy a bit of free Las Vegas entertainment.

Bring a Jacket
Did I not just say that it is hotter than the face of the sun in Las Vegas? Yes, I did - outside! Inside it is comfy and cool, but some venues, especially restaurants and show theatres, are downright chilly. Keep a light jacket handy to take off the chill.

Look for Package Deals
Take the helicopter ride that is packaged with a Grand Canyon tour, a fly over Hoover Dam, a limo ride, and a champagne picnic lunch. This tour has several advantages: you are picked up from your hotel and returned there, so you do not need to worry about transportation to the event. There is not excessive walking in the heat of the day. Best of all, you cover three different venues all in one! When you come right down to it, this tour is a money saver. Whenever you have a chance for a tour, check that it encompasses a variety of activities and venues. The more venues, the more money you save.

Golf for Less
The worst thing you can do is ask the concierge at your hotel or casino to make a tee time for you. The odds are good that s/he will get you set up on a course that has a relationship with the casino and this can get pricey. Instead, it pays to know where the cheap courses are. The Vegas Site golf course guide offers decent course ratings and you know ahead of time which championship and desert courses are cheap and which are going to blow your budget. Here is another tip: check for twilight rates! If you golf early in the morning or later in the evening, you stand to save more money and your hide - golfing under the high noon sun tends to cause some serious skin problems for the unprepared.

Sources:
http://www.aaa.com
http://www.aarp.org
http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/MatureProgram?sid=A9p_g.lNGfmgC7n.3
http://www.vegas.com/searchagent/event/SearchShows.do?categories=ALLCATS&prices=FREE&page_action=page_new&orderBy=WEIGHT
http://www.alllasvegastours.com/Body.asp?tour=LAS-H0026&page=TourDetails
http://www.vegas.com/golf/courseguide/