playing in Main Event...how long should I book hotel...buy roundtrip?

rainonacongadrum · #1 06-26-2007, 11:53 PM

I'm playing the Main Event and am confused about whether I should go ahead and book my room from July 5-17 or whether I should just book it for a few days since I don't know when I'm going to get knocked out. Same dillemma with the plane...don't want to buy roundtrip and have to wait around for a week if I get knocked out on day one...but I don't want to get ripped off on a ticket either. What's everybody doing?

Also, if I book from July 5-17 will I just be able to cancel if I want to leave on the 11th or something?

Transcend06 · #2 06-26-2007, 11:59 PM

Buy one way ticket. If you get knocked off early you're not stuck. If you last long enough to money then it doesn't matter on the ticket cost. Same goes for hotel.

redfisher · #3 06-27-2007, 12:19 AM

If I really cared, I'd buy a refundable ticket round trip and book the hotel direct through the hotel website. Just make sure you understand the early departure penalties for both land and air.

I don't really think that I'd leave right away. Why would you leave when they're about to cut loose a few thousand poker players who just busted out of a 10K tourney in 1 day? They can't all have been cold decked. Some of them must just suck at poker. I'd recommend finding them.

rainonacongadrum · #4 06-27-2007, 01:11 AM

I'll stay for a bit. Where do you find refundable round trip tickets? I can get one way to Vegas from here for 179 or so.

sarahbellum · #5 06-27-2007, 02:02 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'll stay for a bit. Where do you find refundable round trip tickets? I can get one way to Vegas from here for 179 or so.

[/ QUOTE ]

Southwest Airlines

redfisher · #6 06-27-2007, 02:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'll stay for a bit. Where do you find refundable round trip tickets? I can get one way to Vegas from here for 179 or so.

[/ QUOTE ]

They will be more, but you can get refundable tickets from any airline. You may find that a non-refundable ticket + a oneway return is less than a refundable round trip + change fees. Just hit the SWA website and Orbitz and figure out what you need to do.

rainonacongadrum · #7 06-27-2007, 05:30 AM

So with a refundable round trip flight you can change to pretty much any available flight whenever you want to go. Eg. if I my return flight is scheduled July 12 and I want to leave the 10th or 13th I just call Southwest?

olieovie · #8 06-27-2007, 09:59 AM

I booked for a weeks stay starting on Saturday night (first day Sunday). As others have said, leaving early is little problem for hotel and I'd just fly standby for the first flight I can get back. Leaving later might be more of a hassle, but by the time it becomes an issue I'll have guaranteed myself a six figure cash so I probably won't be too annoyed about any extra fees.

stephenNUTS · #9 06-27-2007, 10:39 AM

I just booked my return trip to Vegas this morning,leaving on July 4th-17th to play in the WSOP and Bellagio Cup lll Main Event's(obv. hoping I am still in the WS).The RIO is def.short on rooms as per the reservations desk at the poker rate(i dont gamble in the pit,so I am not a commodity),and I also booked Southwest Air as well.

As to your above question of the Southwest return date, I had the same issue of "when" I would be leaving Vegas.I booked round trip out of Islip/Macarthur,N.Y,as it worked out cheaper,than if I book ONE WAY,and then call up on a days notice from there.........and then buy another ONE way ticket back home.If I leave earlier I will just have to pay a small service charge to change to an earlier available flight
If I were to break the flights in half,there is not much savings,and in my case the seats are very limited due to the July 4th Holiday week rush,so I didnt want to take a chance.
Even if I cancel the whole trip prior ,the complete cost is credited for one year in full for any subsequent Southwest flight.

Good luck,
~stephen

CincyLady · #10 06-27-2007, 04:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm playing the Main Event and am confused about whether I should go ahead and book my room from July 5-17 or whether I should just book it for a few days since I don't know when I'm going to get knocked out. Same dillemma with the plane...don't want to buy roundtrip and have to wait around for a week if I get knocked out on day one...but I don't want to get ripped off on a ticket either. What's everybody doing?

Also, if I book from July 5-17 will I just be able to cancel if I want to leave on the 11th or something?

[/ QUOTE ]

Book it for the whole time, as you can always check out early and you won't be charged for the other days. Only the first day is what you pay your deposit for.

As for the airfare, well most airlines at most only charge you a $75 to $100 fee to change your reservations.

I'm planning on playing in the ME myself (gotta win the seat first though), and I'm taking the whole time off of work with the thought I'm going to make it all the way.

No sense in making it deep into the event, and then having to scramble to find accomodations and a return flight home (not to mention needing more time off of work) at the last minute.

One more thing to add, if you're planning on making the final table, then I'd book your hotel check out and flight back home, for the 18th of July.

Now that's what I call ... positive thinking! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]