Las Vegas Taxi Airport to Strip Fares

The Las Vegas taxi authority has rolled out new flat rate fares when travelling back and forth from the airport and strip. They have created three strip zones with designated fares when travelling with no stops between the strip and airport. If you have the driver stop then your fare will default to the meter rate. The driver is also instructed to take the most direct route which may include the freeway or surface streets.

If your driver does not charge you the proper zone fare on a direct route you are to report them to the authority. You are asked to report the company name, taxi number and driver permit information.

How does this compare with fares previously?

Many tourists are reporting that new fares are higher than what they were paying previously and are quite a bit higher than ride-share alternatives. From our own experience we generally paid about $25 to The Mirage with a tip. Now it’s a flat rate of $27 before tip.

The Nevada Taxi Authority has created a a FAQ for your general questions and information.

Click to enlarge the photo below and it will open in a new window.

las vegas taxi

MyVegas App and Facebook Rewards Games

If you are a frequent traveler to Las Vegas you have probably heard about the MyVegas App and Facebook Rewards Games. They are various games that you can play on your smart devices and your Facebook account. Playing the games will earn you real rewards in Las Vegas such as show tickets and buffets. Playing the game is 100% free but you can buy in game currency (chips) if you want a chance at better rewards.

Is MyVegas legit and is it free to play?

I have been playing MyVegas since 2014 and I can tell you 100% that the game is legit. We have cashed in a ton of prizes over the years such as show tickets to Ka and Beatles Love, numerous free buffets, freeplay and other dinging rewards. Yes the game is also free to play. Without spending any money you can earn real rewards in Vegas and other cities. It just takes playing the game daily to earn rewards.

What games are there available to play?

There are a number of games in the MyVegas realm available to play. They are split between what is available on the App and Facebook. The App games include MyVegas, Blackjack, MyKonami and PopSlots. Facebook games include MyVegas and you can play MyKonami as well but it is a mirror of the app game. The MyVegas on Facebook is a unique version over the app. They are all the same game with the same reward pool. You have to link them through your Facebook account in order to pool your reward currency (LP’s) into one pot.

What rewards are available in MyVegas and what are the requirements?

You are currently allowed to cash in 3 Premium rewards over a rolling 30 day period. The 30 day clock starts when you use the reward in Vegas and not when you purchase it. It’s basically 3 Premium rewards per trip per user. The rewards will be listed a Premium when you click on them. Premium rewards are generally hotel stays, buffets, free play and show tickets.

Premium rewards will also require a stay at an MGM resort. A stay can be a comp’d stay except in the case of Free play rewards which require paid stays.

You are allowed to use as many other rewards as you can afford over the same trip. Note you cannot buy unlimited 2-1 Buffets for example. Each reward can only be purchased once until the reward pool is refreshed which may be a couple of times a year.

Keep updated with our MyVegas category for more tips and tricks. We will update this guide in the future.

MyVegas rewards game

MyVegas – MyKonami Free play

The MyVegas MyKonami Free play reward is one of the better Free play rewards for those staying at MGM Resorts and those that aren’t, The reward is part of the MyVegas series of games and is available for play on your smart devices as well as Facebook on your computer.

MyKonami Game

The game can be played two ways either through an app on your smart-device or on Facebook. They are both the same game and is just mirrored across both devices.

The game is part of the MyVegas series and rewards count against your Three Premium Reward limit. You do not get an extra Three Premium Rewards by playing this game.

The Reward

The reward is $25 of Free play and currently costs $100,000 LPs.  At the Aria the reward costs $150,000 LPs and requires a two night stay. The reward is also a Premium Reward.

The reward must be redeemed at the Mlife Desk of the hotel you purchased the reward of. If you purchased Luxor, Bellagio and Mirage rewards as  your Premium Three you must go to each hotels Mlife Desk to have the Free play loaded onto your players card.

The reward states you must use the Free play on a MyKonami game but you can use it on any non-progressive game. You know the ones that are no fun.

You can also redeem your reward and stack it for use at any hotel. If you purchase three of the rewards and then get it loaded on your card at each hotel you are free to redeem the $75 reward at any Mlife property.

All of the other Free play rewards can only be used if you are paying for your hotel stay. If you are staying on a comp’d stay either through MyVegas or an Mlife offer you cannot use Free play rewards. MyKonami is the exception to the rule.

There however have been reports of Mlife desks not honoring this and denying the reward because of comp’d stays.

MyVegas MyKonami Free play

Please visit our MyVegas category page for more information on the game. We will providing tips on game play, reward redemption and free chip links.

Videos of Grasshopper Invasion of Las Vegas

We are getting ready to head back to Vegas in a few weeks. Our attention has been drawn to watching videos of the grasshopper invasion of Las Vegas. We have never seen anything quite like it and are having a good time watching the videos. We just hope that they are on their way out when we arrive.

Videos of Grasshopper Invasion of Las Vegas

 

 

Free Drinks No Longer Included in Mirage Buffet

They say all good things come to an end and late last week another gem on the Vegas Strip had taken a hit. We learned that free alcoholic drinks are no longer included in the price of The Mirage Buffet.  Up until last week beer and wine was included with the buffet at The Mirage for breakfast lunch and dinner. They are now charging $14,99 for a 2 hour all you can drink package which includes a wider range of drinks.

The Mirage has also reduced the Military discount from 40% to 25% but reports are it still includes up to three guests.

Many of us are sad as it’s another freebie in Vegas that has bit the dust. There was nothing like starting your day off with a Goose Island or Bud Light to take the edge off.  Reportedly the only buffet in left in Vegas with free drinks is at the M Resort.

Mirage Buffet

Birthday Deals and Freebies in Las Vegas

I am spending my birthday in Vegas and I am wondering if there are any deals of freebies?  This is a common question for Vegas travelers. We have a list of current birthday deals and freebies in Las Vegas. Many of them entail you signing up for membership cards, an email list or online newsletter. If you follow our guide you should be able to get yourself a few specials and birthday freebies.

Updated June 2023

Shameless Self Promotion

There is not shame in self promotion. Tell everyone it’s your birthday and see if they offer any special deals or freebies available. Let people know you are in Vegas to celebrate your special day.

  • When making your hotel reservation make sure they put a birthday note on your reservation and mention it upon check in. They may give you an upgrade when making the reservation or when checking in. For example, we were given a room on the 53rd floor with a strip view at the Aria.
  • Mention it to your bartender, waitress or hostess. You may just get a free drink, entree or dinner.

Birthday specials and freebies in Las Vegas

Sign Up For Players Club Cards

Sign up for players club cards and their email lists. They will email you promotions for your birthday. It may something as small as a free drink or it could be freeplay credit. Last year I was given $10 free play plus a bonus of $30 for any stay during my birthday month. If you don’t get a special via email I would still go to the players club ask if there are any promotions or freebies.

Sign Up For Email List or Fan Clubs for Restaurants

Many restaurants will give you a 2-1 coupon or freebie on your birthday simply for signing up for their email list or fan club. If they ask you for your date of birth when signing up you will more than likely get a freebie.

  • Hash House a Go Go offers a 2-1 Dinner Free Dessert Coupon for joining their Facebook Club. Coupon has an expiration date.
  • Holsteins sent me a free alcohol shake for joining their Club (halfway down the page).
  • Grimaldi’s Pizzeria offers a free pizza on your birthday. I just signed up so I cannot confirm what they offer as of yet. They also offer a $5 off coupon but it expires within a month of signing up.
  • Hexx sent a coupon for a 1/2 price signature drink or free appetizer with entree purchase.
  • Lettuce Entertain You puts $15 in your account every year for your birthday that does not expire and is good at several Las Vegas restaurants.
  • Margaritaville sends you a birthday coupon when you sign up for their “Fins Up” club. The coupon is $10 off $30
  • Bin702 located in the Container Park will offer a free drink during the week of your birthday. Go to website and a box should open allowing you to sign up for club with your birthday information.
  • BOGO free entrée at Magnolias restaurant at Four Queens in the month of your birth.
  • BOGO free entrée at Binions Cafe in the month of your birth.
  •  50% off a zodiac cocktail at Venetian/Palazzo
  • Free Shot at Nacho Daddy’s.
  • Cheesecake Factory free dessert on you birthday.
  • Yard House free mini dessert on your birthday,

These are just a few examples of freebies you can get in Vegas from joining restaurant clubs or email lists. If you plan on going to a restaurant check their website for a list and join it. If not mention to your server that it is your birthday and see if they give you something.

Vegas Specific Birthday Freebies

These are the Vegas specific freebies that have been reported on various websites, chat boards and forums. I can’t speak for the validity of them so please report any that are not active.

  • The Eiffel Tower at Paris is free on the day of your birthday.
  • Excalibur offers $20 Free Play through the week before and after your birthday.
  • Luxor offers a free spin $5 – $100 within a week of your birthday. Reports of offering $10 loaded onto players card so no more spin.
  • Park MGM offers $25 Free Play.
  • Ellis Island offers $10 Free Play on the day of birthday.
  • Sahara offers Free Play and possible other food discounts during birthday month. Also $10 FP for new sign ups.
  • Four Queens gives a two-for-one dinner voucher for Magnolia’s during your birthday month.
  • Orleans earn 1 point and swipe for prizes at kiosk booth.
  • Wynn: $10 Free Play within 48 hours of b-day (not sure if still active).
  • The Plaza has a number of bday offers including discount rooms.
  • Both Wynn and MGM are sending emails for FreePlay during birthday month but it might be tied to Tier Status

Cheap Breakfast Options in Las Vegas

Finding cheap breakfast options in Las Vegas is getting harder each and every year. While many are lured to Vegas with the promise of cheap shows, drinks and food this is sadly no longer the case. Much of the Las Vegas Strip is moving towards fine and upscale dining or has just become expensive overall. We have been taken a few times in paying for over priced breakfasts so hopefully we can pass a few of our experiences onto you. We will look at where not to eat and where to eat in Vegas.

Where not to eat breakfast in Las Vegas

The first thing you will notice in Las Vegas is that every casino or resort has a breakfast or diner style restaurant generally right off the casino floor. They are mostly open late and noticeably “convenient”.  You will pay for this convenience. Due to their location in high traffic areas they have no incentive to off a cheap breakfast special. We have eaten at a few of them in the past and paid upwards of $60 for two breakfast meals that consisted of an omelette, hash browns, pancakes and coffees. In our opinion this is very expensive. We really would have been better off having the Buffet. We now avoid the cafes located within the casinos.

Cheap Breakfast Options in Las Vegas

There are still a number of great cheap breakfast options in Las Vegas. You just have to find them. Lets look at a few different types or types of places that offer an inexpensive start to your day.

Buffets – Breakfast buffets in Vegas are still a viable option. These are mostly our go to if we are going to have a busy day and want to fuel up. They will still run you in that $20 range but at least you will get as much as you want to eat and drink. Our favorite is Cravings Buffet at The Mirage. It is under $20 and includes beer and house wine in the price. Nothing like starting the day with beer for breakfast.

Mirage Breakfast Buffet Las Vegas

Fast Food – If you are in for a quick breakfast fix there are still a number of options along the strip. There is a McDonald’s near the bridge at Planet Hollywood for example. You will also find a number of options located near Casino Royale (beside Harrah’s). There is another McDonald’s, Denny’s, White Castle and Subway. We tried the Denny’s last year during Rodeo but it was completely packed so we opted for a couple of breakfast sandwiches at The Subway.

Miracle Mile Shops –  The best bet at a sit down meal at at diner along the strip is probably The Miracle Mile Shops located in Planet Hollywood. There are a number of restaurants in the mall that still offer a reasonable breakfast for under $10. Two that stand out are PBR Rock Bar and Ocean One Bar & Grille. Both offer eggs, bacon, toast and hash browns for roughly $5.99. Ocean Bar also offers up 3-1 drinks all day.

There are a number of other great places on the strip to get a decent breakfast meal but nothing as economical at the establishments mentioned above.  We have to give a shout to two great places that we have enjoyed over the years.

The first is the Hash House A Go Go at The Linq. Some people might accuse it of being a gimmick type restaurant but we love it. The portions are insanely large and fun. There is always a bit of a wait but it’s worth it. The photo below is I believe their Sage Chicken with the BLT Bloody Mary in the background. The BLT came with it’s on toast and mayo and all the fixings in the drink.

cheap breakfast options las vegas

The second place is the famous Peppermill Fireside Lounge which is located closer to The Stratosphere. We suggest taking an uber or bus to get there. The Peppermill is one of the last remaining old school Vegas spots left of the the strip. The place is split into two rooms. The old school lounge with comfy seats and a fire pit and the restaurant. We recommend having a before or after lunch drink in the lounge. They serve an omelette that we found hard to finish.  This has become one restaurant that we will be sure to visit every trip.

+Peppermill Lounge Las Vegas

Hopefully this will help you find a decently priced breakfast dinner in Las Vegas. Have a look at our other restaurants in Las Vegas posts for suggestions on other dining venues.

Las Vegas News of the Week May 5th, 2019

We have been thinking about a way to bring you Las Vegas News each week. We think that a quick bullet point article each week with quick links to some of the happenings in Vegas is the best way to go about it. Some weeks in Las Vegas may be slower than others but hopefully we will be able to keep you up on the news happenings in Sin City this way.

  • The Wynn now has free self parking for everyone. The Wynn Las Vegas is the first resort to cancel paid self parking for it’s guests. Valet Parking is still available to guests and non-guests who spend $50 and get validated. Let’s hope that the other resorts on The Las Vegas Strip follow suite. The paid parking issue has been a hot topic since it’s introduction. ( Source: Wynn Las Vegas nixes fees for self-parking)
  • Cirque du Soleil announces new show ‘R.U.N’ at The Luxor. The show opens October 24, 2019 and is a tribute to stunts and live action. The new show will likely be in the space previously occupied by Chris Angel.

  • Marijuana Lounges have been approved in Las Vegas by City Council. There is a large misconception that cannabis is legal everywhere in Nevada but the fact is that it can only be used on residential premises. The approval of lounges is big news for Las Vegas but don’t expect to see one on The Strip anytime soon. (Source: Fox5Vegas)
  • Renovations of the Fremont Street Experience Canopy have begun. They will be updating the lighting system, adding new digital content as well as adding interactive features such as being able to add personal messages. The lights will be 3x brighter if you can imagine that. Don’t worry the light show will carry on nightly during the renovation period. (Source: LasVegasNow)

las vegas photo

Las Vegas Photo of the Week May 5th, 2019

This weeks Las Vegas Photo of the Week takes us to Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel on Fremont Street. Binion’s has been around since the 1950’s and is still going strong today. Binion’s is one of our go to places when visiting the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. You can get your picture taken with Binion’s Billions which is a real stack of a billion dollars (enclosed in glass). We also recommend Top of Binion’s Steakhouse which sits on the 24th floor and over spectacular views of Las Vegas. It is a true Old School Las Vegas dining experience. We recommend the Chicken Fried Lobster.

Las Vegas Photo of the Week

 

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Surprising Facts about Las Vegas Hotels and Casinos

If you are planning on your first Las Vegas trip there are a couple of facts and or tips about hotels you should be aware of. There are extra costs or surprise fees that you might not be aware of.  Many visitors to Las Vegas are often shocked at resort fees, lack of in room fridges and coffee makers in their hotel rooms. These are all just normal facts about Las Vegas. Lets have a look at some of the surprising facts about Las Vegas Hotels and Casinos.

Surprising Facts about Vegas Hotels and Casinos

      • Mini-Fridges – Mini-fridges in most Vegas hotel rooms are not for personal use. They are stocked with expensive snack and drink options and have no room for your personal items. The fridges will often work off of pressure sensors that charge back to your room when an item is taken out. The hotels will often charge you if they catch you with your personal items in the mini-fridge. You can order a personal fridge in most hotels but that of course comes at an extra expense. It’s best to check with your hotel first to see if they offer a fridge. Treasure Island for example, has personal fridges in their rooms as well as higher end suites in most other hotels. We basically purchased as collapsible cooler from Amazon which is easy to pack and large enough to keep our stuff cold.

Las Vegas Hotels

      • Resort Fees – Resort fees are always a shock to first time Las Vegas visitors. Most hotels will charge you an extra daily fee per room on top of your posted rate. The fee is for WiFi, gym use and other things you will never use in Vegas such as boarding passes and newspapers. The fee is paid directly to the hotel. If you are booking via a third part site such as Expedia and Travelocity you will still have to pay this fee to the hotel at the end of your stay. It varies but can range from $20 – $40. Resort fees are rarely waived unless you are a higher tiered member or high roller. You can see the fees in our Current Las Vegas Resort Fee Guide.
      • Coffee Makers – Much to the dismay of many Vegas hotel rooms do not include a coffee maker. The casinos do not want you in the room drinking coffee. They want you on the floor playing or spending money in their shops. Every hotel has a coffee shop or Starbucks but it is not cheap. Prices are generally pretty high. Many people who insist of having coffee bring a smaller coffee maker with them or even pick one up when in Vegas. We detailed a few coffee places in our Where to get coffee in Vegas post.

Coffee in Las Vegas

      • ATM Fees – ATM Fees at machines in Casinos and along The Las Vegas Strip can really vary from place to place. It’s best to check first as some along the strip can be as high as $10. The Walgreens and CVS stores are reported as being respectable at a few dollars. The best is Casino Royal located beside Harrahs at only being $1.
      • Snacks and Drinks – Buy your snacks and drinks anywhere besides a Casino store. The prices are often very over inflated. The best spots are again The Walgreens and CVS stores which are located all over the strip. You will be very surprised what a Casino store will charge you for a simple bottle of water. We always buy a small case from Walgreens or CVS.
      • Not so Cheap Breakfast – The days of finding a cheap breakfast at most of the casino restaurants is long gone. Every casino and hotel will have a breakfast spot on site. The problem is that the cost of that breakfast is way over priced. We tried a couple of places in hotels and were shocked with a $60 bill for a regular breakfast for two. We would have been better off with the Breakfast Buffet price and food wise. You can still find a McDonald’s or Denny’s on the strip for a cheaper breakfast.  The area around Casino Royale has a few cheaper fast food breakfast type spots or we recommend Hash House at The Linq or Peppermill Lounge. If you want to dine cheap you will really have to do your homework.