Been a repeat visitor to LV from the UK since 2000. Now a pensioner I find that there are still great affordable deals to be had. Part of that is due to experience. I fly on air miles collected through credit card usage during the pandemic. I know to contact hotels direct for the best deals. I joined the Las Vegas Advisor and use their fantastic discount coupons including no resort fee options. I love the public transport. As a senior a 3 day pass on the busses is $10 and I love arriving at the airport and hopping on the CX to Downtown for $1. I can see that price gouging may turn folk off Vegas and curtail repeat trips but I find value here at least once and sometimes twice a year but I have much experience of travelling to LV. Keep up the thoughtful and well researched content Steve.
I have been to Vegas ( from Canada ) 54 times over the last 20 years. I was blown away on this recent trip ....even the CVS have majorly upped their prices. The resort fees are higher, strip dining is basically twice the price. Its unreal .....still lots of fun but you need to be a lot more careful and plan ahead on different things so you don't get gouged.
It's not just Vegas that is getting more expensive the entire country is headed into the six figure zone. When a simple burger cost $15 then you know something is wrong.
Nice video. You hit on all the key components on what is happening to Vegas. I have been going since 1989 and the last 10 years I have seen the decline in multiple areas. The most glaring is the cleanliness of the strip.
I hate their weighted fridges in hotel rooms. There is no room for your own drinks. They are too greedy. Now I have to stop for a cooler on the way to the hotel. I hope many people stop vacationing in Vegas and they feel the pain so much that they are forced to lower their prices. The resort fees should be made illegal too.
Up to 5 years ago my wife and I would visit Vegas 3 times a year, at that time we then cut back to 2x a year( in February then again in first week of December). Now because of all the disruption of the F1 construction and the high prices to eat and the money grab for parking, we will be going to Vegas just once a year. It’s a shame that in the past we would gamble more than we would eat, but now we spend more on eating than gambling.
Yea. The rest of the country is getting way over priced also. So with this excess expense has quality improved? Vegas is the place for gambling, fabulous shows, great eats. We always ate lunch buffet, cheaper than dinner. Some free shows are also here and there. Bellagio Fountains. We miss the show out front at TI. Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Grand Canyon, are also wonderful to see. We now come with another couple, split the rental car expense. I spend enough gambling at one casino giant so I can continue to enjoy my perks, free valet or self park, food comps and free hotel rooms. I don't have the highest tier. Happy with what I do have. We skip any resort where parking rates are crazy. So place worth seeing, ahh, nope. We'll go off strip, which is why we always rent a car. That has also doubled in cost. We usually see 1 show. Maybe this time we will also. We miss Steak and eggs for $1.99, then became $2.99. Now?
My last trip to Vegas was last year. Went to the food court for a quick bite at lunch at the Horseshoe. We each got a hot dog, fries. and a soft drink from Nathans. Over $30.00! That's just straight greed. Maybe $1.50 in cost for them. I expect to pay more in Vegas, but 2 frikken dogs, fries and a drink for $30.00+? Never again!
The thing that I hated about Vegas was the resort fees and entertainment fees! I feel that it’s just a shake down. If you stay off strip without transportation you’ll pay the difference in non resort ( casino) fees with rides and less convenient. If you are veteran sometimes you can get, at least, the entertainment fees removed and a discount on top of that! Be sure to ask when booking a show
@@gregory4154 Sure, inflation is everywhere, but my example above is not a typical inflated price for 2 hotdogs, fries and drink. Maybe you'd pay $10.00 for that in most of the US. Vegas is just stupid expensive these days. Hey, it's working for the, because people keep coming back.
@@mikewingate284I live in Cali. A number one costs $17.00 at Carl's, $15.00 at McD's, $22.00 at Five guys, I could go on and on. These are for ONE person. Sorry, not clear what you are talking about. I doubt you do. If you understand basic economics, you'd get it easily.
i quit going to vegas a long time ago. i live in cihicago and now go to reno nv they still appreciate you going there and don't charge anyplace for parking.
Absolutely. I love Las Vegas, but very true. I felt like there should have been public transportation to and from the airport. I asked around and nobody working at the airport seemed to know
Yep. Strong 6 figure income earner here. I cancelled my yearly trip this year. Not worth it to me. Catch you when you get to your senses. I think I'll go to Singapore or Japan this year instead.
I haven't even BEEN to Vegas since the PANDEMIC. The last time I was in Vegas, was a month before the Mandaly Bay shooting into the concert crowd (there's a conspiracy behind that event). Before that, I used to go to Vegas quite often.....!!
In 2000 total cost/day was $30, midweek.....$25 for the hotel and $5 for a buffet. Most of the casinos were privately owned, which meant competition and smoking deals. Then the 2 monopolies, MGM and Caesars, took over the strip and the cost went thru the roof. Also Vegas has become a convention town midweek....People spending company money, so they don't care about the cost. Many of the convention attendees write the cost off of their Income Tax, which is again people spending other peoples money. Many small conventions are a tax scam. People show up, sign in, get their picture taken and then leave to enjoy Vegas on taxpayer money.
We booked a two night stay in Laughlin yesterday for next weekend and it was only around $150. That still seems too expensive for two nights in Laughlin but at least it is cheaper than Vegas.
My wife and I went to Las Vegas in December 2023. We got a pretty good price at Planet Hollywood, and we saw U2. The U2 concert was incredibly expensive, but LV doesn't set the price of a U2 concert, so that doesn't count. The two things that really cost a lot of money were food and the gambling minimum for blackjack and craps. $25 table minimums meant that my gambling budget was busted very quickly. I had to find other things to do! We had a lot of really good meals, and we knew what the restaurant prices were before we sat down. I was actually happy with our meals while I was there, even if they were very expensive compared to home (Houston).
Yep, I did the same thing when my wife and I visited recently. We picked out restaurants and booked reserved them before our trip. There were a few I would have loved to have gone to but peeking at their menu online I could see that dinner for two would have been over $300 which is too much for us. We still got to eat at some great spots where checks were well under $200 but you definitely have to be careful in Vegas as you can burn money so fast. The table limits are a joke on the strip and you basically need to have a few extra thousand to gamble. We went downtown to Fremont one of the days where limits are much lower and donated my designated few hundred bucks there haha
Just got back from Vegas, go every year. It was insanely expensive this last time. It’s always been more expensive, but now it’s ridiculous. Each meal is $20, and that’s like food court food, not restaurant service. At this point, might as well eat at a restaurant for those prices. My theory is that they jacked up the prices for the Super Bowl and left them so high. Not sure how you’d take a family there now.
I think my last trip was 2019 as well. The corp money grab was in full swing, pools closing at 6pm, why do I pay a resort fee if the resort opportunity is closed. A room is not a resort. Just too much. I go elsewhere now.
I am a Vegas local and this is just insane. I remember, still during Covid when things opened up again, we actually did some staycations and stayed at the high end resorts because they were affordable. We went from the Wynn, Encore, over the Palazo and Venetian, to the Bellagio, Aria and 4 Seasons. While rooms were dirt cheap at that time, food was already to expensive. I remember one day, at the Venetian, was at the pool deck and figured not having the fries, but a slurpy with a shot at the pool bar. That was a nice $35.00! Sometimes I go to pool parties or clubs and the prices are just out of hand. I can park for free at most hotels but when I want to use a cab or Uber, it is just ridiculous. The reason why the stats changed, is not that it is more dirty or that the experiences are worse, it is that the tourists are higher class and expect more for their money. They travel the world and have fast and clean transit options in London, Bangkok or Paris, but ZERO in Vegas. They get Michelin star restaurants in Madrid for a fair price but not in Vegas. For them, the cost to experience ratio is not there as it would be for the average person. If you have never traveled outside the US and come to Vegas the first time, it is awesome. But if you are a world traveler, you are underwhelmed, thus the bad numbers!
Was there in 2022 for my husband’s 50th. Drinks were $18 a piece. So what we did was get an Uber and go out of town to the liquor store. Bought a bunch of bottles and made our drinks in our rooms. Pre gaming so to speak. Then we filled our huge Yetis and hit the strip. For breakfast we went to Ocean One at Planet Hollywood. 3 drinks for $12.and they are strong! You can get cheaper drinks on Fremont. Go see Dave at the Four Queen’s outside bar. Best bartender ever!
Great video, as a former repeat visitor to vegas i miss the glitz and glitter, but on the other hand they have built enough casinos in pa that i can settle for a good show a decent meal and all the gambling i can handle for alot less than the trip to vegas. its a shame that the costs have gotten out of hand, you are correct with the income figures and being able to afford a trip. Love the honesty that you bring to the video.
I’ve gone to Vegas one to two times a year since 2001. But I go alone. The best way to go there. I still get good deals. Usually $500 to $700 for 4 nights with airfare included. Package deals from Travelocity or Expedia. I’ve stayed in hotels from the Luxor, Excalibur, Flamingo, Park MGM, Tropicana, Hooters, Resorts World, Rio to the downtown Gold Spike. I usually go Sunday to Thursday or Friday - Fall, around Xmas, to Feb - March. I usually go to a show or two, see some attractions, eat between cheap & moderate. Last time I went, I stayed at the Westgate & took the tram to get around. My U2 ticket (opening night) cost more than my hotel & airfare………. BTW. I’ve never been in the “six figure” bracket………… 😮
Wow, one take? Great job! Yes, it’s more expensive but I only come when I get comped rooms. Even with resort fees, I can stay 3 days for $70 (factoring in free play and resort credit). Then I move on to another comped room for 2 days basically $20 ($95 resort and taxes -$75 free play). You can’t get a decent room anywhere for those prices. Avoid the overpriced restaurants and there is lots to do that doesn’t cost anything. I’m not saying it isn’t expensive, you just need to know how to work the comps.
Everything in Vegas has gone up at a much higher rate than total inflation, but it doesn't affect visitation. As long as people keep showing up, the casinos and restaurants can keep raising prices.
My next visit to Las Vegas will be staying at a local resort like the South Point. I won’t be paying $70+ for a buffet. And won’t be paying $25+ for parking. Steven Campbell… I wonder what the demographics will be for the train from Los Angeles? It won’t be a discount train, that’s for sure!
Supply and demand my friend. As soon as people start going elsewhere or not travelling at all, prices will drop since that’s the only tool they have to get people back
I was there last weekend had a nice stay at Palazzo saw New Edition at the Wynn and Chicago at the Venetian. Had some great meals and enjoyed the weather. I thought the cab fare to and from the airport was fare and both drivers were great. Love Vegas❤
Being in the midwest flying is a must and it seems that, the past few trips that I've taken, flying has been a pain in the ass with always something out of the ordinary making the trip a less than relaxing aexperience.
Bror Fredrik did a video recently and said as a single person he needs at least an income of over $100K just to live in Vegas, the cost of living has basically doubled in the last few years. That's just for minimal living; if you want to live it up, it's going to be a lot more. With apartments hitting $2K/month and property managers wanting 3X the rent in income, you've got to be making at least $72K/year to rent a 1 bedroom apartment. Rents have doubled in the last several years, and people have to move away. Only come to visit Vegas if you are a high roller, because 6:5 Blackjack sucks at the $25 tables, you'll need to find the $100 tables for the 3:2 BJ.
Who remembers paying $1 for a bottle of Michelob at Casino Royale mid-strip ?? One of my happier memories of Vegas back in the 2000s, visiting from the UK. Ive no intentions of ever returning to Vegas at current prices and the awful exchange rate of USD $ to GBP £
As a local from New York City this city has become ridiculous. Even Walmart is no longer cheap. A king size candy bar is now over $2.00. Rent and everything else has gone up. Even the average fast food meal is now over 10 dollars.
As a Canadian who went for nearly 15 years faithfully I find that with the exchange rate on $$ and all the hidden 'fees' now and a new $50/day resort fee it s just getting too costly and L.V. is my most favorite place. 🤨
Thanks Steven. I am seriously thinking about leaving LV. I walk the strip and it is filthy and often many mentally ill people there. Walking around the Westgate at 7 am a guy pulled a knife on me. I knew I could out run him so I took off. Restaurant costs at the Fountainbleu, Bellagio, Wynn, etc. are outrageous. A steak is ~$85 and a meal is ~$200 for one person. This is crazy. I rarely eat out.
Excellent video Steven. Post Pandemic, everything is more expensive. Yes, Las Vegas caters to the rich, especially the high rollers who tend to come in from other areas of the World like Asia and the Middle East. They also cater to their rewards program members. Room rates in Las Vegas are determined by a lot of different factors. Of course the big factor is occupancy levels at different points throughout the year. I know some of the large properties in Las Vegas are running over 90 percent occupancy. The problem is they not are spending as much as they used to which you mentioned concerning entertainment spending being down.
With an MGM no annual fee Mastercard you get free parking at any MGM resort. Great informative videos, thank you. Las Vegas my happy place since 1977. Still cheaper than most cities.
Great video, Steven, thank you. Hubby and I used to drive from Az to Vegas every year since 2009, sadly, we haven’t been back since 2020. Our last visit was ok. There were more homeless on the strip and smell of marijuana was everywhere. Vegas isn’t what it used to be. I’m sure it’s more expensive now, more than ever, to visit and stay in Vegas, definitely! We’ll probably staycation for awhile and spend our $$$ here locally. Thank you for keeping us informed, you are very much appreciated!
Sure do miss the 80s when the mob still was included. Stayed at Bally's for I think $50 a night, breakfast buffet $3, average show was $18 and included 2 drinks! Saw Diana Ross at Caesers for $50 a head and tipped my way to the front row for an additional $20! It was a wonderful time!
Vegas no longer offers value. I would be willing to bet that most of those in the survey who make more than $150,000 are making considerably more than that. It would be interesting if they added a few more brackets to the survey above the $150,000 level to better understand whose satisfaction is not affected by the outrageously high prices. Also, now that the inexpensive buffets have all closed, there is one less reason to visit Vegas.
Long before the current inflation problems began, Vegas was well into its current trend of sticking it to the customer. I’m not in a hurry to come back and my wife and I are well inside the top 10% of earners. It’s sad because I miss what Vegas used to be. But between the ridiculous prices, nickel and diming, crazy street bums, and weed smoke everywhere, the experience has been cheapened as prices go higher.
I agree I have been coming the last 4 years for a convention and indeed every thing is getting expensive. This year I am staying less days than I usually do
My husband and I have been going to Vegas at least once a year, sometimes twice a year for the last 16 years! Yes, we have notice the huge price increases for EVERYTHING! When a simple side salad at dinner is $28 at any casino restaurant, it's time to look at other locations to visit! On our last trip in April, with no dinner cocktails, our meal tab for 4 days (no lunch) exceeded 900.00! Shows used to be $68.00 - $75.00 - now the cheapest show, not a headliner, is $120.00 or more for the ultra cheap seats.
Last came to Vegas in the early 2000's. There were no resort fees, some great buffets cost less than $25 including the tip, it was easy to find places where a good breakfast or lunch meal was under $15, etc. My stay was 7 days and for food, slot play, shopping, and incidentals, I spent less than $400. Vegas today is too over priced. 😢
I am currently searching prices to visit the mall of america. The hotel stay cost more than my last trip to Vegas... and I had 2 rooms at the flamingo. All tourist destinations are pricey. Budget, plan your eating and activities accordingly, or just stay home.
There is also the “mellow-ness” factor nobody seems to talk about. About 25 years ago, I stayed in Laughlin, NV (about 95 miles southeast of Las Vegas), and talk to a couple who flew to Las Vegas, just to rent a car and stay in the quiet town of Laughlin. Better prices! Less crowds! Food not so great. Pick your poison.
As an ultra-frugal traveler, I went on a solo trip to Vegas recently. I managed to do most things for cheap, but it felt like everywhere I turned, EVERYONE was trying to get into my wallet. Everything that shouldnt cost money does, and everything that costs money is overpriced.
I've really noticed the high cost of seeing a show in Vegas. Food is still relatively cheap. Both the Fremont and El Cortez offer a complete prime rib dinner for under $20. Moreover, getting an Uber is very cheap. I receive $3500 a month on social security, so I am barely in the middle class. The high cost of shows will do Vegas in if they are not careful.
As to food, earlier the buffets were a reasonable alternative for food. Now, except for south point casino and Golden Corral , there are a lot fewer buffets and they are 2-3x more expensive. Food courts have been replaced by expensive food “halls”. The middle class has been shut out of vegas, even for locals
Parking fees even if you're spending/losing money at various properties. And yes, getting around now is crazy. So many streets torn up, even discounting the F1 stuff...
I went over 10 years ago and thought is was redic priced. Stayed at the Wynn on a discounted price that seemed fair but get into the cost for booze, was $8 in the lobby for a beer. $50 to get into the club then ordered 4 butt lights and was $40 😳. Food was overpriced but the shows seemed faily valued. It was fun and 3 nights was just the right amount of time but felt like an over priced tourist trap to me. Have no plans to go back and cant image the prices now😮
Wow,.... Finally a voice that is telling the truth about Las Vegas. Thank You! I grew up in Las Vegas in the early 1960's. (Chapman Drive between 15th and 16th.) At that time, the average "Joe" was the king of Fremont Street and out on the Strip. I used to ride my horse way out of town where the Bellagio is now. My Grandfather worked out at Mercury and was part of the first testing's. Las Vegas was a place for families and the casino's made a fortune while treating everyone with respect and giving you a good and fair deal. What the heck is going on now? $99 for a buffet.... paying for parking and the most egregious thievery of all, "Resort Fees"! Resort fees?????? Your article is spot on! Las Vegas is not for the average person anymore, it is a pocket picking scam for the upper class. Las Vegas is no longer Las Vegas. The days of a fair deal for everyone in Las Vegas is over. Ehen I was a kid, we never called it "Vegas". That was a slight and disrespectful on the town we loved and were proud of. I will never spend another nickel in Vegas. I now scam when I see it. Give me the guys who ran the Silver Slipper over these thieves.
Steven, even 6 figure households are struggling. I know that sounds strange, but it's true. You need to be in the 300K range now to be comfortable 100K+ just wont cut it.
great analysis and spot on! i concur with general impressions these days that its too dirty and full of homeless and has a very bad reputation plus it is way too expensive for most people to visit. they're pricing themselves right out of business with the masses!
I used to go Vegas at least 3 times a year back in the 90’s and then service started to lag and things got expensive but the real reason why I stopped was the nickel and dime that started to go around, from parking to “resort fees” and yes friends started to room pool which I never liked and now it’s been like 18 years since I’ve to Vegas! I was there to pick a puppy up last year but I got there early in the morning, picked up the pooch and left! Didn’t even checked anything up!
My wife and I stay and play at Sunset Station. So far that property still treats us well. If they copy the Strip properties and jack up prices, we'll play at our favorite Native American casino. Despite being a small casino, it offers far better comps than the Stations property.
I'm a "Vegas Veteran" 30+ visits. In fact, I'm coming out next month. I found a $58 round trip ticket ( no luggage, only a personal bag) from St. Louis to Vegas. I also found a three night stay at the "Rio" for $100 with no Resort Fee from a coupon in the Las Vegas Advisor coupon book. Plus there are several other coupons in the book that can really make your money go a long, long way. The deals are out there. You just have to know where to look. When I use these coupons, I always let the staff know I appreciate their offers and that I'll spread the word to people I know that are coming out to Vegas
it's not just gotten more expensive, it's gotten MUCH MUCH more expensive, by far the largest and fastest increase in the cost of pretty much everything across the board in Vegas since records were kept of the cost of things like food and hotels. Pretty much take any 4 or 5 year period in the modern history of Las Vegas going back to 1950 or so, and you'll never see a time where prices have increased more then they have over the last 5 years.
I stayed at the Luxor hotel and you could see it clearly from the runway, but the standard fee was $21 . I remember staying in downtown Medellín, Colombia last year and took a taxi ride almost an hour away for $20 ( US)
Before cvd I would visit 3 times a year and spend up to 5 nights in Vegas. Now once a year and 4 nights. Add up airfare, room, food, disgusting resort fees and increasing minimum table bets and expensive. The cost of one trip pays for a week going to Europe/Asia. If I wish to gamble I go to HK and spend a day in Macau. Vegas is expensive.
I simply go because I can drink and smoke practically anywhere. I don't need Gordon Ramsey or Chef Bouyaordee fancy. I don't drive, I'll leave around midnight by bus, wake up feeling good. I'll take local buses but if traffic too crazy I'll get Uber/Lyft(they'll take backstreets or FWY), not too pricey. I keep it simple. Oh, anyone military should check if they have military discounts.
Celebrity Chefs will drive the death nail into Las Vegas. You can't afford to eat. To get to an affordable eatery, you have to walk a mile and a half. It's pure heck. 3 days in Vegas is all you can afford and two of those days are spent at or getting ready for the airport. That's why it feels like the trips are too short.
The most annoying part and I understand I could be completely wrong about this - is that all the Vegas increases seem to be far outpacing your normal inflation and or regular price increases.
I've been coming g to Las Vegas at least once a year since 2018. As I'm getting older, reality said I may not be able to afford to come back in the next few years!
I was just in Vegas for the first time in May and had a blast. I mostly ate off strip so the prices were reasonable and were so delicious. Don't know how people can eat solely on strip
Vegas is catering to the 100K visitor that is why they can charge $ 50 for the buffet, $ 45 a day resort fee, $ 20 a day parking, and table minimum's of $25.00. They simple made everything pay for itself. I was in the Bellagio sports book and you had to make minimum $25 bets to get a bottle of water comped. It makes sense but its over my retirement budget so I no longer go. I can go to an Indian Casino and get free parking, $ 15 buffet, and $100 rooms if I want the experience I used to get in Vegas. The casino is also 45 min from my house.
Corporate greed has totally taken over. Long gonna are the 24 hrs coffee shops with graveyard steak and egg specials. Each casino used to have one. Now they're non, existent; replaced by high- end Asian and celebrity chef restaurants.
Everyone loves the lites and flash but Vegas is shooting themselves in the foot with the high prices. Some of the resorts are still comp’g stays but uou have to go on certain days. The slots are still not payung
Coming over next week from Ireland for our 5th trip since Vegas opened up again. I reckon if we hadn't been before covid we prob wouldn't come back. But the rises across the board are seen around the world. Here a pint has jumped from about 4€ to €6. A steak in a restaurant from about 33€ to €50. Petrol/diesel €1.20 a litre to about 1.80. same is happening in Europe and in the UK.
After 25 years of visiting 2023 was my last.Why? High hotel rates and resort fees plus rip off food costs.Tipping has got out of hand.Also preparations for F1 caused me no end of problems getting around. Safety also a concern in Freemont St.
Honestly i could go to an all-inclusive, spend the same amount of money cumulatively and walk away with a better experience and feel like i got my money's worth. It's sad that it's a chore to make vegas cheap.
Great job Steven this is why I'm not interested in going back to Vegas the prices are so high I have casinos here in NY & Atlantic City why should I fly to Vegas. & pay the high prices. If people stop going maybe there lower there prices.
I went to a convention in Vegas in the summer of 1980. Yes it was hot, very hot, but I was struck by the bargains in food, drink and entertainment. I went back again almost 30 years later and boy how it had changed, so I can believe that it's now expensive.
I used to go 1-2 times a year, there wheregreat reward programs and everything was reasonable to moderately high priced , result more money for gambling or shows. Now I don’t go, why many reasons from expensive everything, resort fees, poor customer service, housekeeping, terrible players reward programs, increase in crime within the hotels and generally a loss of respect and concern for us traveling guests, so enjoy your $150,000+- visitors, because they won’t become regular visitors like the thousands like myself, they will come and go all over the world. As for people like me, not Americanwe will play and enjoy local casinos, with great player perks, no money exchange, no kids, no smoking and no taxes. Corporate greed,has turned Vegas, which was the ONLY adult oasis I the world, into a Disneyland with some gambling that has become so expensive and poorly managed that is losing their regular base of clientele. So sad to see.
The outrageous resort fees keep us away. And now that we pay for parking it's just not worth it. If we do stay we stay at Southpoint because of the free parking and lower resort fees, and more peaceful of an experience.
I am British and have visited Vegas six times, a fantastic place but I won’t be returning, resort fees are now complete robbery, now up to $50 a night.
