High Fares to LAS?
 

What has the deal been with high fares to LAS recently?

I'm planning on going to Vegas 3/19-3/22 and have been watching fares on UA from WAS for the past 3 months. The lowest I have seen it is low $400s and it has typically been closer to $600. Considering transcons are frequently going on sale for $200, I thought a good sale would have to come up at some point. I've been hearing how slow things are in Vegas lately, so why is airfare skyhigh?

Should I just suck it up and buy the expensive airfare, or do you see more last minute sales coming up?

Sunday returns are a killer. The airlines know they can jack up the fares that day b/c that's when everyone wants to fly out. Chances are, you may find very different prices returning on Saturday or Monday.

That's the first weekend of March Madness. If last year is any indication, Vegas is very, very busy during that timeframe.

It's also Spring Break for some colleges, but that's less of a factor in Vegas than other places.

Weekends in March are a busy time in LAS; March Madness is huge. Weekdays are absolutely great though - very quiet and cheap.

Basketball really doesn't drive hotel or air up. It makes it harder to get seats in the sports book though. I think aamilesslave is right about the Sunday departure. Everyone is leaving then.

Good Luck!

I have found this pricing typical over the last several years - regardless of time of year or event in town.

Even though the first rounds of the tourney is why I am going that weekend, most of the action is on Thursday and Friday. Still, nothing is crowded, and even the once-a-year Vegas gamblers in our group have snagged comped rooms this year.

Ya.. I know its March Madness and a Sunday return which packs a premium, I still thought fares seem high given the current trend of airfares. I figured if I watched for long enough I could snag a low $300s fare. Right now the best I can find is $550.

In the last few years, there has always been a premium to depart LAS on Sunday. There can be some cheaper flights to be found if you leave early in the AM or Late afternoon. The seats have always gone and the flights are packed.

I'm having the same problem, and I am willing to depart LAS on thurs, fri or sat.

It's been $399 out of LIT for months now and hasn't budged. There are some $99 one ways on Tues/Wed through 5/20, but I'm going the week of Memorial Day.. a very slow week in vegas. I'm hoping in a few weeks some of those $99 one ways will open up later in the month, but I doubt it will help me since I'm not flying in or out on a Tue or Wed. They used to have Sat. flights that were the lowest right along with T/W rates, apparently not anymore. It looks like I'll be lucky to get my RT for $350 this year.

I may be forced, for the first time in 10 years to fly American. They have RT for around $225-$250. I just have to do a layover which I hate.

Fares are high for the OP due to Sunday departure and cut back in flights since LAS is a leisure market.

oddly enough I was just able to snag a $350 n/s fare on United. Sounds pretty reasonable to me! ^