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Update: These deals were snapped up quickly. Glad three readers got in on them.

Today is the second day of the second week of five weeks of discounted travel packages sponsored by the US Travel Association and American Express called Daily Getaways. Every weekday at 1 PM ET, a discounted travel package or packages will go on sale and will usually sell out in a few minutes. Some of the offers will be awesome; some will be duds.

Today’s deals are discounted stay packages at Caesars properties in Las Vegas.

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I snapped one of these up last year, and the package I bought is actually cheaper this year. For anyone looking for a weekend trip to Vegas in the next year, these deals are spectacular.

Quantities are extremely limited, so if you want one of these deals, be at your computer at 1 PM ET.

  • How good are the deals?
  • What hotels are covered?
  • How was my experience with the package I purchased last year?

All Daily Getaways packages are discounted. And you get an additional 10% off each sale price by paying with an American Express, so that’s a no-brainer, and I’ll always quote prices after the American Express discount.

Prices today are:

  • Two nights at Harrahs + extras for $269.10
  • Three nights in a Suite at Caesars + extras for $1,386
  • Two nights at Caesars + extras for $418.50
  • Two nights at Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace + extras for $531
  • Two nights at Paris + extras for $315

Each package includes much beyond the room like limo transportation, spa treatments, dining credits, or show tickets. Read up on each package and see which one fits your Vegas travel plans.

For all packages, you must complete travel by July 1, 2015.

Last year I bought the Harrah’s package for $297, and this year it’s about 10% cheaper.

My Experience

I got my free night certificates in the mail quickly. Months later, in December, I decided to book myself a weekend stay for March 2014.

At the time of booking, I did NOT have my flights booked, so I didn’t book my limo transportation until later. I ended up changing my dates about a week before arrival and making the limo arrangements at that time. There was no hassle or change fee, which was excellent.

The Harrah’s package came with:

  • Stay 2 consecutive nights and spread out with 500 square feet of space in your Mini Suite at Harrah’s Las Vegas. The mini-suite is a slightly larger room with a couch. It’s nothing special, but a weekend in a Mini Suite would conservatively be worth $300. Very conservatively.
  • Enjoy two Buffet of Buffets passes, giving you unlimited access to six of the most spectacular buffets in the city for a 24-hour period. I love the Buffet of Buffets, and often buy a pass for $50 when I go to Vegas. With one 24 hour pass, it’s easy to get a late dinner, breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, making the per meal cost $15 after tax and tip. I value these at the face value of $100.
  • Round-trip airport limousine transportation for 2 between McCarran International Airport and Harrah’s Las Vegas. The limos were excellent in both directions. Upon arrival, my driver had a sign and was waiting right where I exited into baggage claim. Upon departure, the limo was ready when I came downstairs. I tipped $10 each direction.The slow shuttle is about $30 roundtrip for two people after tip. A taxi would be $60. Limos are better than taxis, but I’ll conservatively call this $50.
  • Complimentary in-room internet access for one device. $20 value to me.
  • Daily access for two to the fitness center. I don’t hit the gym in Vegas, so I’ll value this at zero, but it might be worth something to you.
  • These last two are basically the perks that justify the big resort fee at Harrah’s which is waived when you travel on this package!

Add it up, and I got at least $470 worth of value from the package that will sell for $269.10 this year. That’s excellent, but I almost got zero value because I wasn’t certain for most of the year that I’d get to Vegas before my package’s expiration date. For that reason, I’m going to sit out this deal this year.

The other low end packages are similarly good values, and the three nights at a suite at Caesars is a fantastic value if you would ordinarily pay cash for the same trip.

Purchasing the Packages

To maximize your chances of getting in on the deal, I recommend using a site like whattimeisit.com to figure out the official time. This year’s sales have all started on time to the second. Keep refreshing for the best chance.

This is what happens if you try to purchase something where all quantities are already in someone’s cart.

This doesn’t mean the deal is sold out. If someone doesn’t complete his purchase, that quantity will immediately become available for someone else. Keep checking until the dreaded “Sold Out” appears.

I will be by my computer at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT / 7 AM HST check out how these deals are selling. Do you plan to buy them? Post your successful or failed attempt in the comments, so we can gauge how quick you had to be to snag a deal.

Daily Getaways home page

Daily Getaways Help

Daily Getaways FAQ

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