Can an entire family find love and happiness in Las Vegas? Of course they can, it they travel with FareCompare! Rick shows you how to pull it off. AND, how to save money.

Hi, everyone; Rick Seaney here, and I’ve got an interesting, multi-flight problem here. Maybe you’ve been there. The good news is, I can help, so read on. (EDITORS NOTE: the pricing information below may or may not reflect current rates).

A FareCompare Reader Has a Problem:

Dear Rick,
I’m planning a 70th birthday party for Mom - in Las Vegas, NV. Our family of 4-adults wants to stay from June 20th to 23rd.

1. Sister K: shell already be in Vegas on business, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. But the hotel is filled; so the rest of us cant get rooms.
2. Mom: she needs to travel from Gillette, WY to Dallas about June 15th and return to Gillette on the 27th. She is flexible.
3. Mom and I: we will travel from Dallas to Vegas on June 20th and returning on the 23rd. These dates are not flexible.
4. Aunt L: she will be travel from Palm Springs, CA to Vegas, and return around the 23rd. These dates are not flexible.

Here’s my challenge: how the heck do I do this? And how do I find hotel rooms for 3-near the Mandalay Bay? Any ideas???
Signed,
A FareCompare Fan

How I Solved This Multi-Trip Problem:

First, we have to break down the problem into travel components, and make each reservation on a step-by-step basis:

• TRIP 1: Mom from Gillette, WY to Dallas (and back)
• TRIP 2: Mom & Fan from Dallas to Las Vegas (and back)
• TRIP 3: Sister L from Palm Springs, CA to Las Vegas (and back)

Trip 1 The Details: Getting Mom to Dallas

• First, figure out what a true good price is, for these city-pairs (your departure/arrival cities).
• Now that you know what a true good price is, go to FareCompare.com, and put in your city-pairs and click Find Fares. Then you’ll see a graph (below, left) that will show you the lowest prices for the past year.

• Look at FareCompare’s Star-Ratings to see what, if any, super-buys are available (4-stars=an excellent buy; 3-stars=very good buy, 2-stars= good buy, etc.)
• NOTE: Small market cities/airports like Gillette, WY with little or no competition are almost always more expensive than larger markets. You may have to take what you can get.
• Get FareCompare’s Email Alerts; the alerts will tell you exactly when the best prices are available, when you want them.

Trip 2 The Details: Mom and Fan Fly Dallas - Vegas

• Follow the steps above. Finding cheap air fares should be lots easier, since there are many more carriers traveling between Dallas and Las Vegas.

Trip 3 The Details: Sis from Palm Springs to Vegas

• This is one of those small city/airport departures where the consumer is held captive. A drive (2- to 3-hours) to Los Angeles (LAX) may make sense in terms of cheaper air fares; driving to Las Vegas might make the most sense of all.
• Do sign up for FareCompare’s Email Alerts to see when the cheapest fares are available.

The Hotel Is It REALLY Booked?

• Call the Mandalay Bay Hotel directly (not the 800-number) and ask about rooms; many times, hotel websites will show no-vacancy but they usually reserve a number of rooms for walk-ups. Find out, by calling the hotel yourself. If they’re truly booked up, ask them to give you near-by alternatives.

My Tips Every Day Cheap Travel Info

• 100% of all travelers expect to get the cheapest price: In reality 10% or less are actually going to get the cheapest airline tickets..
• Shop for cheap air fares early: If you start shopping for air travel early and use the proper tools, luck will not be needed to be successful.
• Be flexible: If your dates are rigid you still have the flexibility of deciding which day (and time) to purchase your airline tickets .
• Shop early: If possible you should start your air travel shopping 4-5 months before your departure date. The domestic U.S. airlines actively manage ticket prices in 4-5 month time windows (domestic travel further out is almost always sold at a premium).
• Sign up for FareCompare’s Email Alerts: you will hear first about the very best prices, and that means, you’re first in line to buy them.