End of summer and autumn is almost here. The hot days and nights will start to cool down next month. I have my September vacation plans made. I have a week to relax and have fun at the Flamingo Hotel and the Palazzo Hotel. Football season is here, the baseball playoffs are soon here. That means the sports books will be busy and full of fans!

Take a look at the MGM Hotel discount offers here and make your own plans for a fall vacation in Las Vegas! Check the entertainment lists to see what performers will be in town and have a fun night out. I like to check the House of Blues schedule, it is always changing.

Take advantage of the discounts and have some fun!!! Good luck for all!!!!!

Do you fly to Las Vegas for your vacation? If you do, you may be confused and perplexed with all the changes happening with the airlines. I found a good article on the http://www.smartertravel.com/ website featuring all the changes.

The Smarter Traveler article gives a very good update and breakdown of all the new fee changes. Such as for your baggage fees for number for checked bag, size and weight limits. Fees for booking online or over the telephone. Fees for food, drink and seating preferences. And many many other various fees and charges the airlines have decided to attempt and use.

The article has very good charts for you to compare the fees with the airlines. See how well or poorly your airlines are treating you. I found this to be very useful and informative information. I hope it will be a help to all of you!! You can find the article on the Smarter Traveler website, and here is the link to page with the article:
http://wiki.smartertravel.com/index.php/Airline_Fees

Hope this assists with your travel planning!!!

Change is always happening in Las Vegas. In the community and on the Las Vegas strip. A few of the current changes that will effect the tourists are both good and bad.

A good change is the ban has been lifted on the use of cell phones in the sports book areas of casinos. This ban was always posted, but always strictly enforced. The lifting of the ban is only for one year. Then to be reviewed and hopefully done forever.

The Star Trek Experience is closing September 1. The OOh LA La topless show at the Paris is closing August 31. But Donny and Marie Osmond will be starting a run at the Flamingo Hotel on Tuesday September 9th. The cheap seats in the balcony starting at $85.00. The guest room renovation at the Mirage should be complete by September.

Another change that may occur later is one tourists should watch for. There is going to be an attempt to raise the room taxes on hotels from the current 10% to 13%. The reason for the increase to raise more funds for the schools. But even that is being debated as to whether this increase will be enough. So along with increase in gas prices, air fares, airline fees and inflation in general. Finding a bargain hotel room or discount to Las Vegas with get harder to find. Expect to take more time searching for the deals and trying to talk the hotels into giving you a break.

Labor Day is almost here. That is the unofficail end of summer. Make some last minute plans to enjoy yourself in Las Vegas and save some money! MGM is making a few end of summer specials for their hotels on the strip. The MGM Grand, Luxor, Monte Carl and Mandalay Bay all have good offers. Here a couple of the last minute deals from MGM:

MGM Grand "Summer Last Chance!" Rates from $79/nt. *Plus, $35 activity credit for dining and entertainment, 2 complimentary poolside drinks at Wet Republic, VIP entrance to Tabu Ultra Lounge, $30 per night upgrade to a Bungalow suite based upon availability at check in, and $50 per night upgrade to Celebrity Spa or Hollywood Suite based upon availability at check in (*see site for additional details and restrictions). Aug 13 - Oct 30, 2008. Promo Code: INB202 (Exp 9/3/08)

Luxor "Expect the Unexpected" Rates from $80/nt (2 nt min). *Plus, $25.00 Food and Beverage Credit (valid for use in Pyramid Cafe, MORE the Buffet at Luxor and Fusia/ based on availability), $10.00 Beverage Credit (valid for use in Aurora, Flight, Liquidity or the Playbar), $25.00 Spa Credit towards any spa treatment, and $10.00 in Free Slot Play -for first time Players Club sign ups only (*See site for additional details). May 24 - Sep 5, 2008. Promo Code: PVALUE (Expires 9/5/08)

Also, Spetember 1 is the last day for the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Rumours are it turn up somehhere else, but maybe not in Vegas. If you want a fun, rapid getaway for Labor Day, Las Vegas is waiting for you!!! Good Luck!!

I keep hearing about the slow down in travel across the counattempt and even in Las Vegas. I read the stats about the drop in air lines going to Vegas. The drop in hotel room occupancy. The drop in people driving to Vegas. But September looks to be very busy. At minimum the week I chose to go. I think the big football weekend is attracting many of the people. You have USC--Ohio State on Saturday night. Then Monday is the Dallas Cowboys--Philadelphia Eagles.

I am looking at the week of September 13 -- 20. A week at Caesars Palace would be over $3,000.00. The regular rooms are sold out. Bally's is sold out. Paris is sold out. Just a few rooms at Harrah's or the Flamingo. Now the Rio and Imperial Palace do have rooms still available. But I don't care much for the Rio casino. I also prefer staying at hotels on the strip. I have gambled a few times in the Imperial Palace casino. A bit dark and crowded for me. Don't think I will stay there. Maybe if they do major renovations to the place I would consider it.

So for now, I am looking at the Flamingo. The MGM website is very poor. It just list what offers their hotels have made. Then you have to call each hotel to actually find out what the offer is. The Harrah's website is much better and informative. I am also hoping the Venetian/Palazzo will come in with a good offer. I have alalert used complimentary rooms there a couple times this year. But, I generally end with a decent deal. So hope for the best!

So if your planning a Las Vegas vacation this fall. Keep checking the websites often. The rates change all the time. Also keep checking the air fares. I check a couple times a day. I was able to get a circular trip flight, direct both ways for just under $300.00. Not too bad in today's market.

Good luck to everyone!!