Convention rate
#1
Original Poster


Join Date: May 2000
Location: HH Gold, Marriott Gold, PC Plat, Emirates Silver
Posts: 2,729
Convention rate
I'm looking at staying at the Mirage and there happens to be a convention there at the time I may go. The LV convention bureau estimates 8,000 people. I went to the group's web site that is having the convention and they have a $95 rate for the Mirage.
It's not the most ethical thing, but if I book it, will they ever know?
It's not the most ethical thing, but if I book it, will they ever know?
#2
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
I have done this before in other cities, and was tempted in Vegas, but circumstances were tough:
This summer, there was a conference for the "Jewish Deaf League of America" at the Four Seasons Las Vegas. Room rate was $125/night. Unfortunately, there's no way on earth I could pass for either...
This summer, there was a conference for the "Jewish Deaf League of America" at the Four Seasons Las Vegas. Room rate was $125/night. Unfortunately, there's no way on earth I could pass for either...
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
Convention rates in Vegas are rarely the lowest available rate; indeed, they are frequently the highest rate. Check the Mirage web site, Expedia, and MGM-Mirage vacations before you book. If you have a players card call and ask what they can do for you.
QL
QL
#4
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As mentioned the "official" convention rates are often higher than you can get on your own, but not always.
I have NEVER been asked to prove I was part of the convention, and to be honest, not sure how I would for many, since I would not get my "badge, etc" until the next day, or later.
I have NEVER been asked to prove I was part of the convention, and to be honest, not sure how I would for many, since I would not get my "badge, etc" until the next day, or later.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 1,470
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NoStressHere:
As mentioned the "official" convention rates are often higher than you can get on your own, but not always.
I have NEVER been asked to prove I was part of the convention, and to be honest, not sure how I would for many, since I would not get my "badge, etc" until the next day, or later.
</font>
As mentioned the "official" convention rates are often higher than you can get on your own, but not always.
I have NEVER been asked to prove I was part of the convention, and to be honest, not sure how I would for many, since I would not get my "badge, etc" until the next day, or later.
</font>
The rare exception might be if you are trying to use the rate of a large corporate conference, say IBM. If the rate is unusally low (because IBM booked some many rooms in the hotel), the agreement may include requiring conf attendees to show a company ID upon check in.
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#6
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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What a great thread!! I had been fretting over my April trip to LAS, and coming up dry with Priceline. Discount rates on Expedia, Orbitz, or Travelocity were not exactly low...turns out, the National Association of Broadcasters has over 100,000 people descending on LAS the same week as I am there.
A quick trip to the organization website produced a booking engine that provided rates that were either equal to, or significantly lower than the lowest online rates I could find. Whereas my first choice, Bellagio, was pricing the same $235 through the convention or expedia...Venetian was pricing $400 through all internet channels, but the convention had it for $199, so I snagged it.
The booking engine showed an option for non-members, so you did not have to be an organization member or a scheduled attendee to book, although it might not have been their intention to sell their rooms to the general public - but I did not have to pass myself off as a member, so no ethical dilemna.
Once again, invaluable tips and hints from flyertalk.com
A quick trip to the organization website produced a booking engine that provided rates that were either equal to, or significantly lower than the lowest online rates I could find. Whereas my first choice, Bellagio, was pricing the same $235 through the convention or expedia...Venetian was pricing $400 through all internet channels, but the convention had it for $199, so I snagged it.
The booking engine showed an option for non-members, so you did not have to be an organization member or a scheduled attendee to book, although it might not have been their intention to sell their rooms to the general public - but I did not have to pass myself off as a member, so no ethical dilemna.
Once again, invaluable tips and hints from flyertalk.com
#7
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Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
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Quote:
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..It's not the most ethical thing, but if I book it, will they ever know?.....
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Yikes, you are going to Sin City and you are worried about ethics? Gimmee a break!!!
Seriously I try to avoid the hotels having huge conventions for the obvious reasons, long lines, full restaurants, over-busy casinos, and long waits at elevators etc. Even when I attend a convention I rarely stay at the main convention hotel. Almost always cheaper and nicer at a nearby hotel.
MisterNice
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..It's not the most ethical thing, but if I book it, will they ever know?.....
---------------------------------------------------
Yikes, you are going to Sin City and you are worried about ethics? Gimmee a break!!!
Seriously I try to avoid the hotels having huge conventions for the obvious reasons, long lines, full restaurants, over-busy casinos, and long waits at elevators etc. Even when I attend a convention I rarely stay at the main convention hotel. Almost always cheaper and nicer at a nearby hotel.
MisterNice

