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Thread: litcrit: traffic

  1. #14
    Don Schlesinger
    Guest

    Don Schlesinger: East Side, West Side! :-)

    > Also, it's tough to find an up-to-date map of the city
    > because of all of the construction, so you may be
    > interested to know that there is now a somewhat still
    > secret road that can get you between the casinos on
    > the east side of the Strip very easily. It's called
    > Frank Sinatra Drive, and there are a couple of exits
    > along the highway (I15). It goes as far north as
    > Caesar's, i believe, and it's pretty handy when things
    > get busy on the highway. If you're going from
    > Manadalay to Bellagio, for example, it's perfect to
    > drive behind the casinos and save the time you'd be
    > sitting on the Strip.

    You meant the west side, Bettie.

    Don

  2. #15
    Bettie
    Guest

    Bettie: Yes, thank you! *NM*


  3. #16
    Jay
    Guest

    Jay: Rental It Is

    Ok, you talked me into it. No Laughlin trip, and I'm renting a car so we can beat the heat. Got a $14/day rate from Fox through Cheapo Vegas, would appreciate knowing if I made a big mistake (never heard of or seen a Fox rental counter before).

    Bettie, which is the better deal, buying gas yourself or getting the rental gas option? I was unclear which one you meant. And thanks for the road hint. I could use as many of those as I can get. I want to avoid the strip for the most part, and especially avoid construction.

    Now since this will be my first time driving between casinos, I must ask about valet vs self-park. In other cities where we drive to the destination I normally self-park, but I have read horror stories about the walk from self-park lots in Vegas. Is valet parking free at most casinos? Is a buck or two enough to tip? Are there casinos that charge for valet parking? My lady friend is partially disabled, can we bring our home state handicapped plaque and not get a ticket? Thanks for any help you can offer on this subject.

  4. #17
    Parker
    Guest

    Parker: Rental cars

    > Ok, you talked me into it. No Laughlin trip, and I'm
    > renting a car so we can beat the heat. Got a $14/day
    > rate from Fox through Cheapo Vegas, would appreciate
    > knowing if I made a big mistake (never heard of or
    > seen a Fox rental counter before).

    Nor have I. The rate sounds very good. Be aware that the following is added to the base rate of all cars rented from McCarran airport:

    Customer Facility chg ($3.00/day)
    Concession recoupment fee (10%)
    County car rental fee (2%)
    License recovery surcharge (4%)
    Tax/tax recoupment (5.14%)
    Gvt Svc fee (6%)

    > Bettie, which is the better deal, buying gas yourself
    > or getting the rental gas option? I was unclear which
    > one you meant. And thanks for the road hint. I could
    > use as many of those as I can get. I want to avoid the
    > strip for the most part, and especially avoid
    > construction.

    Normally, rental car companies give you the car with a full tank and you are expected to return it the same way. If you have this arrangement, be sure to top off the tank before you return the car! The going rate if you forget is over $5/gal!

    Some places offer an option to purchase the tank of gas, usually at below-street prices. You save a few bucks, plus you don't have to worry about topping off the tank before returning the car. This is a good option if you anticipate burning up an entire tank of gas (or more). On my last trip to LV I only drove about 50 miles, so this would not have been a good option for me.

    > Now since this will be my first time driving between
    > casinos, I must ask about valet vs self-park. In other
    > cities where we drive to the destination I normally
    > self-park, but I have read horror stories about the
    > walk from self-park lots in Vegas. Is valet parking
    > free at most casinos? Is a buck or two enough to tip?
    > Are there casinos that charge for valet parking? My
    > lady friend is partially disabled, can we bring our
    > home state handicapped plaque and not get a ticket?
    > Thanks for any help you can offer on this subject.

    Valet parking is free everywhere (AFAIK), a $2 tip is customary. Parking garages vary widely from one casino to another, although if you shoot right up to the upper floors you can often find a spot closer to the elevators. I guess there is really no substitute for knowing the town.

    If I'm using the valet at the hotel I'm staying, I usually overtip a little the first few times. This ensures that I get my car quickly, often ahead of people who have been waiting longer (but aren't so generous).

    Rental car clerks will try to get you to upgrade by telling you that the AC in the econoboxes does not work very well in LV heat. This is not true. If anything, it works better than the larger cars, since there is less interior space to cool.

    However, you definitely want a light-colored car. Seek out shady parking spots (or inside covered garages) whenever possible, even if it means walking a little further.

    Rental car clerks will also try to sell you extra insurance. The insurance you already have is most likely adequate. They really push the "Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)," telling you that you may be liable for the value of the car if anything happens. What they don't tell you is that many credit cards often cover this on any rental car charged to the card (mine does). Just Say No.

    I usually use Alamo. The lot is convenient to I-15 and the south end of the strip, I get to pick my own car, and I can usually get a midsize car for around $18/day (with coupons and discount codes), before they add all the aforementioned fees.

  5. #18
    Greasy John
    Guest

    Greasy John: Re: Rental cars

    I've been thinking of renting a car on my trips from L.A to Vagas. In Baker, I was told by a tow company that they charge $130 an hour (starting from the time the tow truck leaves the lot) for a tow. And, it would cost about $800 to tow a car back to the L.A. area. But I believe that rental car companies will not allow you to take a car out of state. I know that a weekly rate would probably be the way to go if you plan to stay 3 nights in Vegas. A compact might save enough in gas (my vehicle gets 24 mpg highway) to make the rental car idea more attractive. Anyone with a high milage vehicle might consider a rental car, if you could find a company in L.A. that allows you to take the vehicle out of state, that is. The prospect of breaking down 30 miles from Baker at 2:00 A.M. with lots of cash in my pocket has crossed my mind. I wonder when my fuel pump, battery, alternator, radiator, etc., is going to go. Can anyone recommend a good reliable stun gun for protection?

    > Nor have I. The rate sounds very good. Be aware that
    > the following is added to the base rate of all cars
    > rented from McCarran airport:

    > Customer Facility chg ($3.00/day)
    > Concession recoupment fee (10%)
    > County car rental fee (2%)
    > License recovery surcharge (4%)
    > Tax/tax recoupment (5.14%)
    > Gvt Svc fee (6%)

    > Normally, rental car companies give you the car with a
    > full tank and you are expected to return it the same
    > way. If you have this arrangement, be sure to top off
    > the tank before you return the car! The going rate if
    > you forget is over $5/gal!

    > Some places offer an option to purchase the tank of
    > gas, usually at below-street prices. You save a few
    > bucks, plus you don't have to worry about topping off
    > the tank before returning the car. This is a good
    > option if you anticipate burning up an entire tank
    > of gas (or more). On my last trip to LV I only drove
    > about 50 miles, so this would not have been a good
    > option for me.

    > Valet parking is free everywhere (AFAIK), a $2 tip is
    > customary. Parking garages vary widely from one casino
    > to another, although if you shoot right up to the
    > upper floors you can often find a spot closer to the
    > elevators. I guess there is really no substitute for
    > knowing the town.

    > If I'm using the valet at the hotel I'm staying, I
    > usually overtip a little the first few times. This
    > ensures that I get my car quickly, often ahead of
    > people who have been waiting longer (but aren't so
    > generous).

    > Rental car clerks will try to get you to upgrade by
    > telling you that the AC in the econoboxes does not
    > work very well in LV heat. This is not true. If
    > anything, it works better than the larger cars, since
    > there is less interior space to cool.

    > However, you definitely want a light-colored car. Seek
    > out shady parking spots (or inside covered garages)
    > whenever possible, even if it means walking a little
    > further.

    > Rental car clerks will also try to sell you extra
    > insurance. The insurance you already have is most
    > likely adequate. They really push the "Collision
    > Damage Waiver (CDW)," telling you that you may be
    > liable for the value of the car if anything happens.
    > What they don't tell you is that many credit cards
    > often cover this on any rental car charged to the card
    > (mine does). Just Say No.

    > I usually use Alamo. The lot is convenient to I-15 and
    > the south end of the strip, I get to pick my own car,
    > and I can usually get a midsize car for around $18/day
    > (with coupons and discount codes), before they add all
    > the aforementioned fees.

  6. #19
    Parker
    Guest

    Parker: Re: Rental cars

    > I've been thinking of renting a car on my trips from
    > L.A to Vagas. In Baker, I was told by a tow company
    > that they charge $130 an hour (starting from the time
    > the tow truck leaves the lot) for a tow. And, it would
    > cost about $800 to tow a car back to the L.A. area.
    > But I believe that rental car companies will not allow
    > you to take a car out of state.

    Where did you get this idea? I do it all the time. Out of state is no problem, although they do frown on leaving the country.

    But why rent in LA and subject yourself to driving across the desert? You can catch a Southwest flight for as little as $34 each way, if you watch their specials and take advantage of them.

    > I know that a weekly
    > rate would probably be the way to go if you plan to
    > stay 3 nights in Vegas. A compact might save enough in
    > gas (my vehicle gets 24 mpg highway) to make the
    > rental car idea more attractive. Anyone with a high
    > milage vehicle might consider a rental car, if you
    > could find a company in L.A. that allows you to take
    > the vehicle out of state, that is. The prospect of
    > breaking down 30 miles from Baker at 2:00 A.M. with
    > lots of cash in my pocket has crossed my mind. I
    > wonder when my fuel pump, battery, alternator,
    > radiator, etc., is going to go. Can anyone recommend a
    > good reliable stun gun for protection?

    Stun gun hell. I recommend a Smith & Wesson.

  7. #20
    Greasy John
    Guest

    Greasy John: Re: Rental cars

    Life is full of comprimises, but I've always really liked the flexability of driving to Vegas--you can leave whenever you like, no early arrivals at the airport--and you can return when you like as well. I recently left Vegas for L.A. at 9:00 P.M. No traffic to speak of. Driving back on Monday has always been nice too.

    > Where did you get this idea? I do it all the time. Out
    > of state is no problem, although they do frown on
    > leaving the country.

    > But why rent in LA and subject yourself to driving
    > across the desert? You can catch a Southwest flight
    > for as little as $34 each way, if you watch their
    > specials and take advantage of them.

    > Stun gun hell. I recommend a Smith & Wesson.

  8. #21
    Bettie
    Guest

    Bettie: Re: Rental cars

    > Where did you get this idea? I do it all the time. Out
    > of state is no problem, although they do frown on
    > leaving the country.

    Parker's right. Though car rental agencies will usually ask you if you plan to go out of state, I'm not sure why. I wasn't even charged any sort of a higher rate when I picked up in Las Vegas and drove to Palm Springs, CA and dropped off (I was picking up my new car in CA and driving it back to LV). That's the only time I've gone across state lines, but I had dinner with friends just last night who drove their rental in from AZ, no problem.

    Bettie

  9. #22
    Geoff Hall
    Guest

    Geoff Hall: Re: Rental cars


    > Parker's right. Though car rental agencies will
    > usually ask you if you plan to go out of state, I'm
    > not sure why. I wasn't even charged any sort of a
    > higher rate when I picked up in Las Vegas and drove to
    > Palm Springs, CA and dropped off (I was picking up my
    > new car in CA and driving it back to LV). That's the
    > only time I've gone across state lines, but I had
    > dinner with friends just last night who drove their
    > rental in from AZ, no problem.

    > Bettie

    I rented a car and drove from Kansas City to Las Vegas - I only had to pay a small charge for dropping off at a different place to my pickup point.

    I usually rent while I'm in Las Vegas and, from my experience, they allow you to drive to California and Arizona (maybe others) without notice. If you wish to drive further than these states then you have to notify them.

    I found 'Thrifty' to be good value and they gave me an upgrade of a Limited Chrysler 300 for just an extra $8 per day. Service was excellent.

    However, I always respect Parker's advice on Las Vegas, so will be checking the 'Alamo' pricelist when I return next month.

    Best regards

    Geoff



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