Welcome to a long overdue Las Vegas trip report! Let’s face it, I am the world’s worst blogger who (at the time I started this post) was posting maybe ten posts a year. Now that I am getting around to actually posting it, I am averaging zero posts a year. As a matter of fact, I am such a horrible blogger than when my account came up for renewal almost a year ago, I didn’t even notice my credit card had expired and my blog went away. Thank you the lovely Ms. Geri for contacting me about that.
This trip was to kick off 2018 without wanting to slit my wrists after returning from a month long trip to Myanmar in December 2017. I had decided that in 2018, I was going to take more frequent and shorter trips. So why not start off with Las Vegas?
I changed my dates a couple of times. I finally settled on January 26 through February 3, so that I could double dip and use my Boyd offers from January and February. I filled the middle in with a three night offer from El Cortez (which I booked for two nights, and stayed only one) and a two night comped stay at Cosmopolitan.
I also booked a one night MyVegas room at Excalibur so I could use some MyVegas buffet rewards that require a stay. I had zero intention of staying there. People really have opinions on whether or not this is ethical. I personally don’t care. I had the points, I booked the room. “This is why all the good rewards are gone! People book rewards and don’t play!!!” I promise you, I gave MLife more than enough to cover the one night stay at Excalibur. As a matter of fact, this comped room was an offer I got sent based on that degenerate play. It was not a MyVegas reward.
I armed with a Member Rewards Book from Las Vegas Advisor, an American Casino Guide, and a bunch of MyVegas rewards. I get six rewards because I have bought a lot of chips. I redeemed them for free plays and buffets.
I like to try new things on every trip. And by “try new things” I really mean “go degenerate in a casino I have never been to before.” This trip I would like to visit Skyline.
I am also going to be trying French Toast Pizza. I saw a photo of it online and have been determined to get there, still have not.
This sounds like a good place to start the actual report.
January 26, 2018
I found a penny on heads at the airport. It seems to be a new thing that I excel at. I used to also be really good at having an empty middle seat. I am one of those people who obsessively check the seats on flights before I board them. I am aiming to have an empty middle seat which is everyone’s dream correct? Right before I went through security, I checked and yes, the seat next to me is empty.
For one time ever we finally board on time. I don’t think this has ever happened when I’ve left in the evening from JFK Airport. Of course the door should be shutting anytime now. Okay how about now. Hey maybe shut the door is now. Isn’t everyone on this plane already?
Enter the stragglers. One of which is seated right next to me in my empty middle seat.
The plane takes off a little bit late. I was having issues with my headphones. You know how sometimes you have to twist them around to get the earphones to actually play in your ears between the sound of static? That’s what was happening to me. After about 15 minutes I finally got the headphones in the perfect place where they were playing in both ears. And then the guy next to me has to get up and pee.
Although it was not his fault, I was still very annoyed at the fact that I had just got my headphones perfectly positioned to work, and now I have to move them so that he can get out.
This happened seven more times.
Obviously this person had some sort of issue. His son or who anyway who I assume is the son, offered to switch seats with me so I can have the window seat. In retrospect, I should have said yes with the caveat that I want the aisle back before we land. Then I could have had a window seat, a working headphone jack, and still have been in the aisle to run the fuck off the plane. Wait why did I not do this? God dammit. Now I am mad at ME.
We land in Las Vegas. I bolt outside hoping to catch the WAX that left about two minutes ago, but maybe it was delayed. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. I sit down on a bench to wait for the CX bus. I look down and see a penny. But it was on tails. No, go away YOU.
Some guy comes and stands next to my bench. The only thing he has with him is a clear liter sized plastic bag, with his liquids and his passport. Not quite sure where his luggage was. I put my headphones on to listen to Frank Sinatra’s “Luck be a Lady Tonight”. I hate this song but it has found it’s way into my ritual of winning. I took my headphones off when the bus pulled up and the driver got out and lit a cigarette. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the CX bus or the WAX bus. So I asked him. That opened up a door for him to talk to me and ask me to hang out with him later. No thank you.
I got to the Fremont Hotel at 10:44. I checked into my room, which is room 416. I do not have any room photos but here is my view:
Fremont now has security guarding the elevators. They have zero emotion or expression and sometimes you need to ask them to push the elevator button as they stand basically blocking it. I think this is supposed to make you feel safe. In the room I noticed a little sign that they would be checking rooms with a Do Not Disturb sign for longer than thee days. I didn’t notice if anyone had entered my room.
I put my lucky penny that I had found in the airport in my bra before running outside to play.
I stopped at Dunkin Donuts of course. Then I played at Binions. I lost $100 pretty quick on my video poker machine that on my last trip gave me a Royal Flush followed by Aces with a kicker. I had $10 free play and I lost that too. I move to a Buffalo slot machine and lost yet another hundred. I’m only supposed to gamble $100 total tonight. So since I’ve already lost twice that, I obviously put another $100 bill in another Buffalo slot machine and hit a bonus for $432. Wahoo!
I played some more video poker and got a really weird hand. I got four nines on the draw.
I played Buffalo again I hit a $118 bonus which included this beauty:
I probably would have stayed and played forever but I am absolutely exhausted. I do my swipes for the Motherlode promotion at Binions before I head to bed. I had enough points for three swipes. The first one I got a free gift, the second I got $15 dining credit, the third was yet another free gift. I did not even try to redeem the gifts, I am not interested in lugging crap home.
I was in bed by 2:40 am. Despite my big wins, I end up only $90. Because degenerate.
Questions or comments? Please leave them below.
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When we went in December 2017 we loved the Aria buffet. Sucks that you didn’t.
Glad you’re back posting!
I was just thinking the other day… geez, whatever happened to Jennifer and her blog?? Imagine my surprise when I got an email notification! I’m glad you are back as your posts always make me laugh, thanks!
BTW, I’m sure any Nevada store would have cheaper cigs than New York, right?!
Hi Steph! I bought full priced cigarettes in NY recently and they were $14. My corner bodega charges me $11. So absolutely yes, they are cheaper anywhere in Nevada.
I love your trip reports Jennifer and this one did not disappoint. I would have carried those socks in my pocket for the rest of the trip, I have no shame. The escalator story was great but sorry you missed your bus. You did have a lot of nice hits and congratulations on all of them. I’m going to AC for two nights at the end of April, I may have to try the dirty sock method. LOL.
Take care, Jim
Hi Jim! I hope you have a fantastic time in Atlantic City and don’t have to carry dirty socks around.
oh wow – another great read from Jen…. loved it…. some good hits, good pics, comps you still have = means go back and use them… you make a LV trip sound so much fun and I always feel like I am there with you!
Thanks Nancy!!
Thanks for posting. I’ve missed your trip reports
Thanks Dee Dee!
What a pleasant surprise to see you’re back! I love your style of writing, and you seem to write what I’m thinking. Can’t wait for more!
Thanks Jan!
Nice to have you back. Great Report
Thank you!
Avoid the Steak at all costs at the Fremont buffet, but their Spare Ribs and Chinese dishes are okay. Also, their rolls make a good late night snack. Their crap game is the best in Vegas, but their B.J. games are unplayable
Fremont only offers 2x odds on craps and their blackjack is double deck. Where is your information coming from?
Thanks to RF I have come across your blog, which I’m really enjoying working my way through.
Your sense of humour really appeals to this English gent and I like how you write. However, I feel that I am missing photos on your posts that you refer to, unless that is part your style?
Hi Ade!
I typically do post the photos I am referencing although to get this report out, I did a last minute rush job and it is possible I missed a couple. I do have about 27 photos leftover where I have absolutely no idea where they belonged. Welcome to my mystery novel blog.
Thank you for having me Jennifer!
Your blog was fun and you certainly managed to get around Vegas a lot in order to lose your money. I’m looking forward to the next mystery novel
Thanks Ade!
Welcome Back!!! Such a fan…excited to have 2 more to look forward to. Now that my Mom’s gone I only do solo trips and always feel like you’re reading my mind.
Aw, I am sorry about your mom! I used to bring my mother on trips to Vegas and so many things remind me of her there.
I wasn’t Impressed with the Aria buffet either. The Bacchanal is so much better on so many levels.
I still haven’t tried Bacchanal. I get so lost every time I go inside Caesars so I just stopped going there.
Love you and your reports…glad you’re catching up.
Aw, thanks so much Lorraine!