A Spontaneous Vegas Getaway: Points, Eats & The Best Show in Town
A Spontaneous Vegas Getaway: Points, Eats & The Best Show in Town
Sometimes, the best trips are the ones planned last minute. For Mr.Vacation Adventurer's birthday, we decided to make a quick escape to Las Vegas—a perfect weekend getaway filled with good food, amazing entertainment, and a little travel hacking along the way.
Scoring a Great Flight Deal with Points
If you haven’t looked into Alaska Airlines’ redemption rates since they merged with Hawaiian Airlines, let me put you on to something amazing. They have stellar partner award rates, and if you play your points right, you can snag some great deals. I transferred my AMEX points to Hawaiian Airlines, then over to Alaska, and boom—our flights from Austin to Vegas (with a layover in Dallas) were only 7,500 miles one way in economy. But since it was my husband’s birthday, I wanted to treat him to a little extra comfort. For just 15,000 miles one way, we scored domestic first-class seats.
If you’re new to the points game, AMEX Membership Rewards points are relatively easy to rack up, especially if you use cards like the AMEX Gold for groceries and dining (hello, 4X points on the AMEX gold card!). I also have some incredibly savvy friends who share tips, which makes navigating points even easier.
Where We Stayed: The Bellagio (With a Little AMEX Perk Action)
For our stay, we booked the Bellagio—because if you’re doing Vegas, you might as well do it right. I took full advantage of my AMEX Platinum’s Hotel Collection credit for a $200 discount, plus an extra resort credit. We didn’t request a specific room, but they placed us in the Spa Tower, which turned out to be a new favorite. While the iconic Fountain View rooms are a must at least once (we checked that off years ago), the Spa Tower was perfect for this trip—it’s super close to The Cosmopolitan, where we spent most of our time.
And of course, I had to take a solo stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory during non-peak hours. If you time it right, you can practically have the place to yourself, making it feel like a private exhibit.
Vegas Vibes: Food, Shopping & Entertainment
I’ll admit it—I’m not a big gambler. I know, I know… Vegas and no gambling? But hear me out: my idea of a Vegas jackpot is amazing shopping, incredible food, and top-tier entertainment.
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| Wynn (Lake of Dreams) - Photo Credit: Vacation Adventurer (2025) |
Shopping: The Bellagio shopping scene did not disappoint. The Hermès and Omega boutiques were not only stocked with stunning pieces, but the service was fantastic. No pressure, just a great experience. For the Omega Boutique ask for Hanna! She is amazing! Very sweet, professional, and approachable. She didn't pressure us to buy anything but with her help, we were able to see all the beautiful pieces that caught our eye.
Entertainment: Hands down, the best part of this trip was catching two incredible shows:
• Postcard from Earth at The Sphere – If you haven’t been to the Sphere yet, it’s a must. This show isn’t just a movie—it’s a full-blown experience that showcases what the Sphere’s insane technology can do. Mind-blowing visuals, insane sound, and an immersive setup that makes you feel like you’re actually traveling through different parts of the world.
• Awakening at The Wynn – Listen, if you can only watch ONE show in Vegas right now, make it Awakening. The stage design, effects, and overall production are next-level. Think Cirque du Soleil vibes, but with cutting-edge technology woven in. The storyline could use a little work, but honestly, I was too mesmerized by the visual spectacle to care.
Food Highlights: We hit up some fantastic spots, including:
• The Henry (Cosmopolitan) – A solid 24-hour restaurant with great comfort food.
• Sushi Neko – A little off the Strip, but worth the trip! Easily our favorite meal of the weekend.
• Nobu (Caesars Palace) – Because when in Vegas, you treat yourself.
• The Buffet at Wynn – A classic for a reason—totally worth it.
The Not-So-Glamorous Part: Flight Delays
No trip is complete without a little hiccup, right? On our way home, our aircraft had equipment issues, causing a delay that made us miss our connecting flight. Annoying? Yes. But here’s something important to know:
If your flight is delayed overnight due to airline issues, Alaska Airlines will reimburse your hotel and reasonable food costs. They offered us hotel vouchers, but let’s just say the options weren’t ideal. So instead, we extended our stay at the Bellagio and later filed a claim. Alaska Airlines covered the hotel stay and half of our dinner at The Wynn, plus gave us airport food vouchers for snacks on our way home.
Even with the unexpected delay, this trip was one for the books. Between the amazing flights (thanks to points!), top-tier entertainment, delicious food, and a little luxury—Vegas delivered. Most importantly, my husband had an amazing birthday celebration.
Until next time, Sin City!
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