A Look at the Hot MGM Las Vegas Hotel Packages On Sale Today

Today is the last day of week 1 of the US Travel Association’s Daily Getaways.

For those not familiar with Daily Getaways, over the next four weeks, travel deals and packages will be available on a first-come first-served each weekday from April 4, 2016 through May 6, 2016. For a look at the calendar with week 1 or week 2’s offers, click here.

The deal today is for MGM Las Vegas hotel packages –

Mandalay Bay for $1,700 (8 packages available)
New York New York for $475 (8 packages available)
The Mirage for $1,750 (10 packages available)
Excalibur for $475 (7 packages available)
Aria for $1,700 (10 packages available)

All of the Vegas packages sold very quickly last year. As you can see, there are 10 or less of each package available this year too so I am pretty sure it will be the same this time around.

All of these MGM Vegas package deals go on sale at 1pm EST today. If you want one, I strongly suggest having your credit card ready and being online a little bit beforehand so that when the clock strikes 1pm you are ready to refresh the page and get in on the deal. All of the links above will take you straight to that deal’s page.

Here’s a look at each of the packages in detail, along with my personal pick of the bunch –

The Mandalay Bay package for $1700 comes with three nights (for a maximum of 2 people) in a 1-bedroom Sky View Suite at Mandalay Bay, including round trip limo transfers between McCarran Airport and Mandalay Bay. You get two tickets to the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson ONE show, two dinners for 2 people at any restaurant at Mandalay Bay (max $500 per dinner, excluding alcohol), and two 50 minute massages (one per guest) at Spa Mandalay. Once you purchase the package, you’ll receive a certificate via email within 10 business days including details on who to contact to redeem. The package can be redeemed any time before January 31, 2017 (note blackout dates of December 30, 2016 to January 2, 2017).

Looking at random dates for the Sky View Suite, it seems to be in the $350-$450 range per night though some dates are higher.

Tickets to the Michael Jackson ONE show are in the VIP section and while I don’t know exact pricing, the Cirque website indicates that prime orchestra seating is around $200 a ticket.

Just with room and show tickets alone the price if you were to purchase individually would be over the package price of $1700. Add two dinners for two (up to $1000 total, excluding alcohol), limo transfers and spa treatments and it easily comes out to be a fantastic value. Note that in the T&C of the package it says that the winner will be responsible for the $30 resort fee per night as it is not included, and no gratuities are included in the package. That means if your dinner bills total $1000 ($500 each) you’ll pay $200 if leaving a 20% tip, plus any alcohol charges.

The New York New York package for $475 comes with two nights in a Spa Suite (for a maximum of two people) at the New York New York Hotel & Casino, including dinner for 2 at Gallagher’s Steakhouse (maximum of $400) and 2 tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show Zumanity. Once you purchase the package, you’ll receive a certificate via email within 7 to 10 business days of purchase, you will receive a certificate via email including details on who to contact to redeem. The package is available any time through December 28, 2016.

Checking random dates for the Spa Suite, it looks to be in the $120 – $275 range though some dates are higher.

Zumanity seats will be in the VIP section, and some of the tickets on Cirque’s website that may be comparable go for $127 each.

Again, just looking at room plus show tickets, you’re already over the package price of $475. Throw in the Steakhouse dinner (up to $400) and you could get a much higher return. Per T&C, the winner of this package is still responsible for paying the $25 per night resort fee for a total of $50, and gratuity on the dinner at Gallagher’s Steakhouse is not included. Assuming your dinner comes to $400, you’d pay $80 if leaving a 20% tip.

The Mirage package for $1750 comes with three nights in a 24th or 25th floor Mirage Suite or similar suite (for a maximum of two people) at The Mirage, including limousine transfers to and from McCarran Airport to The Mirage and champagne and strawberries in your guest room. You also get dinner for two at Japonais (up to $500), dinner for two at Tomm Colicchio’s Heritage Steak (up to $500), dinner for two at Portofino Italian Cuisine (up to $500), two VIP tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show Beatles LOVE and two VIP tickets to Terry Fator, plus one 50-minute massage for two at The Mirage Spa. Once you purchase the package, you’ll receive an emailed certificate within 10 to 12 days including details on who to contact to redeem.

Looking at rates for random dates for the Mirage Suite, I found it between $175 and $215.

Seats that may be comparable to the VIP seats for the Beatles LOVE show are around $210 each, and Terry Fator tickets around $175 each.  This package includes the hotel’s $30 daily resort fee which is a nice bonus. Dinners can be up to $500 each, and include all beverages, tax and 18% gratuity. Note that the offer expires December 29, 2016, and that July 4, November 26, and December 24-25, 2016 are blackout dates when the package cannot be used.

The Excalibur package for $475 comes with four nights in a Contemporary Tower Room (for a maximum of 2 people) at the Excalibur. You’ll also get tickets for two to the Criss Angel Believe show or The Blue Man Group, and $400 food and beverage credit at select Excalibur or Luxor restaurants.

Checking random dates for the Contemporary Tower Room, I couldn’t find anything matching that specific name. Not too familiar with the Excalibur room types but pretty sure that there are two towers I saw “Resort Tower” rooms were at $35, while “Royal Tower” rooms were $48.

The T&C don’t specify what type of seats you’d get with the Criss Angel show tickets, but Cirque’s website shows even the lowest category to be $77 each. The $400 food & beverage credit can be used at Steakhouse at Camelot, Buca di Beppo, Tender Steak & Seafood, Tacos & Tequila, Public House, Rice & Company, Pyramid Cafe, Backstage Deli and Starbucks. It can be used for alcohol and tax, but not gratuity. Beware that this package does not include the Excalibur hotel’s daily resort fee of $29.12, which comes out to a total of $116.48. Note that the offer expires January 31, 2017, and there are blackout dates of December 30 and 31, 2016.

The Aria package for $1,700 includes three nights in a one-bedroom Sky Suite at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas (maximum of two people), and round trip airport limo transfers between McCarran Airport and the Aria. You also get prix fixe dinner for two (up to maximum $500) at your choice of Sage, Bardot, Julian Serrano or Jean Georges Steakhouse, including one bottle of wine that the hotel selects, or two cocktails per person (both tax and gratuity are included). Two spa treatments at The Spa are included in the package, with a choice of 50-minute massage or facials.

I scanned random dates to see rates for Aria’s Sky Suite, and found it between $330 and $600 a night.

With the room and dinner, the price if booking separately would probably be just above the package price, plus once you add in the dinner (up to $500), wine or cocktails, limo and spa treatments you’re getting a great deal. This package also includes the Aria’s $32 daily resort fee and tax. Note that this offer is valid through December 31, 2016.

If I was to choose one of the Daily Getaways MGM Vegas packages today, my personal pick would be The Mirage. I think The Mirage package has the highest value for all those on sale today with the Daily Getaways, surpassing $3,000. I also think this is the best choice for those wanting an “all-inclusive” package since gratuities, alcohol at the restaurants and tax are included (with the exception of spa treatment gratuities), as well as the daily resort fee at the hotel. Personally, I would be disappointed to purchase a special package and find out that I’d have to pay more to have wine with my dinner (like the Mandalay Bay package), or that I’d still have to pay the daily resort fee ($116.48 for the Excalibur package!). Plus, this package comes with three dinners for two, and two shows. Everything together makes me think it offers the most bang for buck out of the Daily Getaways Vegas package on sale today.

Do you disagree with my analysis? What would be your personal pick out of the MGM Vegas packages on offer today?