Visitreno

[mjames1229]

I think the economy is starting to improve. Getting to (and staying in the city) for free has gotten much more difficult.

But I am mostly set now.

Due to the travel agent screw up last May, I had a $200 credit on Southwest... I just needed flight costs to start coming down. They finally did, and was able to book a one-way MKE to RNO on May 9, 2014 for exactly $200.

Haven't bought the return ticket, yet. I told the wife (who is not joining me this year) that I may stay. Reality is that I am waiting for further cost reduction. I have a separate $129 voucher on Southwest, but return flights on May 12 are still $207. I realize that it is only $78 in cash, but still...

As for the hotel... the damn hotel.

On my last seven day trip to Vegas / Reno / Vegas in May, I lost a chunk of money. I went back to Vegas last November, and lost an entire month's pay. Most of my play on both trips was at various Caesars properties. You'd think I'd have some comps built up. Not even close. Harrahs Reno (through the Total Rewards site) wanted almost $300 (before tax) for three days. I contacted a host, who offered a "Bowlers Rate" that was still over $200.

Through a friend, I contacted a host at Sands who offered me $140. Nothing against the Sands, but the convenience of Harrahs to the National Bowling Stadium versus the Sands makes me think $60 would have been well spent (well, as in "well I shouldn't be paying at all"). Lily J. Dragonfly gave me the name of a host at the Cal Neva, and I tried calling three times and got no response, so I gave up on them (I thought it was so odd... I really wanted a limo ride from them).

Armed with my Sands rate, I gave the Harrahs host one last shot to match the offer (my specific words were "Is there a meeting point between 'comp' and $85/$85/$40 that you could offer?") She clacked her keyboard and said that her kids currently live in the same Milwaukee suburb that I live in, so she was gonna go ahead and give me the comp!

So I haven't paid a nickel out of my pocket yet, but I am getting to and staying in Reno for three nights... starting in 85 days!!!

[CaSwede]

It is too bad you have to go through all the hassle to get a room, but it looks like you are set. I just got an e-mail from the Circus Circus with some kind of bowlers special. Next year you might sign up on all the hotel/casinos web sites to get on their e-mail solicitations. You never know when something good might show up in your e-mail and it is hassle free.

Stay out of the gutters.