BoxRec

Any views from those who've travelled from the UK?

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Any views from those who've travelled from the UK?

Don't.

Fly to LA and get a connecting flight - far far cheaper.

Only Virgin and one other do direct flights and they are VERY expensive - I checked for a return flight the other day and it was £570 quid return.

May is traditionally a very popular day for Vegas, Cinqo de Mayo (5th may) is mexican independence day, and thousands of Mexican americans flood into vegas over that week.

If you want any advice on hotels or owt Ian, I can tell you a few cheapies. I would get one night in the MGM signature for the night of the fight (I presume that's why you are asking), and then a cheaper hotel like the Stratosphere or Circus Circus for the rest of the time.

I was meant to be there for that week, but looks like I can't now, missus cannot get time off work and got wedding to go to on the 9th.

STA Travel are also by far the cheapest airline to book through.

The direct-flight is a killer at about 11+ hours.

I think i'd die if i had to disembark, wait around then fly again on another plane and bump it up to 15/16 hrs.

You can get there for about £250 if your prepared to fly / wait for about 19hrs.

G0mez wrote:The direct-flight is a killer at about 11+ hours.

I think i'd die if i had to disembark, wait around then fly again on another plane and bump it up to 15/16 hrs.

You can get there for about £250 if your prepared to fly / wait for about 19hrs.

Better to fly to LA - 12 hours, then an hour or so to Vegas. There are lots of connecting flights between Vegas and LA as it is a business route.

Phone STA travel Ian, they'll hook you up.

I've made the journey a few different ways and if you're only going for a long weekend i think it's worth the extra to get the direct flights.

It's a pain to have to pick all your bags up go through security and wait for the connecting flight. You're giving 2 airlines the chance to bump you off, lose you're luggage or delay you so much you miss the next flight. Besides Virgin is a decent airline.
I don't think you'll get decent connections without paying over £400.

me and spud went with BMI from manchester a few years back, they were a decent service.

as for a hotel, the tropicana is opposite the mgm over the crossroads, and maybe a third of the price or cheaper, the room was cheap and cheerfull..

rhino222 wrote:me and spud went with BMI from manchester a few years back, they were a decent service.

as for a hotel, the tropicana is opposite the mgm over the crossroads, and maybe a third of the price or cheaper, the room was cheap and cheerfull..

Did you spoon?

I've done direct and via Philly. Both were fine. The latter is good for overnight stay, but I wouldn't recommend connecting immediately (I'm currently 0 and 4 for success).

I'd disagree with Circus Circus. I was there in July and it has turned into a fcking hole. Plus it'll cost you a pretty penny to get up to the decent end of the strip via taxi (if you can get one down that end). Near Peppermills though; best breakie in Vegas.

Flamingo is a better bet if it's close on price.

I flew from London to Chicago then Chicago to vegas - with united airlines and it worked out quite cheap (although I very nearly missed my connecting flight in Chicago due to the length of time needed to clear customs)

I stayed in Paris and loved it (although its not where I would choose for a fight trip) - maybe New York New York would be good as its right across from the MGM. Planet Hollywood would be close as well and its got quite a few good bars and is a pretty "hip" hotel. Its also close to La Salsa Cantina for yards of cocktails!

I wouldn't stay at Circus Circus or the Stratosphere as they are a fair walk from the MGM and didn't have a huge amount going for them imo.

Ian, I'm going back in March if you want me to recon for you. What dr boxing said above is spot on (I have been stuck in Chicago customs too, with a South African and a Pakistani). I was red flagged for a year.

All airlines are the same if you are 'turning right' when you board although Continental are the pits.

One of the busiest weekends of the year for flights to vegas during Hatton-Pacman weekend. Mexican holiday and kentucky derby weekend so the gamblers tend to fly down.

done the straight through way and then the 3rd time I went changed at "Philly" - thought the straight through method was far better - nad have to say the Air Stewardesses on the straight through flights were far better looking.

Mind you Rhino will tell you - went on the scenic route when we went to see the Danny Williams/Vitali Klitshcko fight - Got an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Vegas - f*ck me it was like travelling cattle class - thought the plane was going to fall apart - and you don't get any complimentary food or drink!!!

billy bessey wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

rhino222 wrote:me and spud went with BMI from manchester a few years back, they were a decent service.

as for a hotel, the tropicana is opposite the mgm over the crossroads, and maybe a third of the price or cheaper, the room was cheap and cheerfull..

Did you spoon?

Cheeky b*stards!!!

Telling you now I slept with one eye open - Rhino is a dodgy f*cker who I suspect swings both ways!!!

"Tropicana" is bloody cheap and just as good as any other if you are watching the pennies - can't remember the casinos name - but its opposite Caesars - thats cheap but its also alright!!!

My suggestion is don't go. It looks like a disgustingly tack shithole, full of Grannies playing slot machines.

Go somewhere good like Cape Town.

Oceanic flight 815

Don't go via LA. It is so depressing. You fly right over Vegas and sometimes the pilot points it out. Then it's another hour to LA, two or so hours connecting and then an hour back.

Best connections are American at Chicago, or a really good cheap one is NorthWest which connects at Detroit, which has a great new terminal. Via Boston would also be good. All those 3 are essentially stops en route, rather than some big detour via the west coast.

If you attend the fights overseas on a regular basis,or somewhat of a regular basis.
Get yourself on one of their airmile plans.
You won't get the rewards straight away.
But down the road it's worth it.

If you can fly direct with Virgin and have the budget its worth spending a bit more. Indirect is cheaper but it makes for a long long trip. My flight was delayed at Heathrow once and I ended up stuck in Chicago for six hours waiting for a connecting flight to Vegas.

Another cheap alternative is to fly to LA hire a car from the airport and drive down to Vegas, its a four/five hour drive. I don't recommend it on your own but if your going with a couple of mates you can split the hire car costs and it can be a fun drive through the Mohave Desert.

If you are going to do a stopover.
Fly into Vancouver BC.
The hotels are way better.
More bang for your pound.
Take 2-3 days in Canada ... Why not ?

It's a 2 hour and 25 min flight from there to Las Vegas.
Or you can coach it to Bellingham U.S and catch a cheap flight.

Anyone got their tickets yet?

I went for the $500 option.

www.cheapflights.com to find the cheapest deals around

Loynesy wrote:Anyone got their tickets yet?

I went for the $500 option.

What were the prices mate? Is that the Upper lower tier price, or lower lower tier price?

If I can get one face value/just above I'll go. I'm not prepared to pay loads over face value though.

I've booked the Northwest Airline (connection at Detroit)from Heathrow on 26th Apr. 8 nights at MGM + flights for £577 which I thought was reasonable.

Heard yesterday that I've got tickets and they'll arrive 3 weeks before going. £260 notes for the $300 dollar section so not too annoyed at that cost. Cannot wait!!!! Just hope there's decent legroom on the flights!!!