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What have you found to be the best way to go to Vegas from Brandon and back to Brandon? Leave here on a Thursday. Return on a Monday or Tuesday.

Have always flew to Vegas from Minot, I’ve saved a ton of cash! Having more money to spend in Vegas lol

Flying out of Minot is the best way.

No contest between Minot vs Westjet...also go Monday to Thursday you’ll save 70% across the board (rooms, flights,etc)

It will save you a day and a lot of money if you fly out of Minot to Vegas it is direct.

I think saving a lot of money is a bit of a stretch... It's $14 US a day to park in Minot versus free in Brandon. Plus you have to drive 550kms round trip so you got gas. Other then having decent flight times and a direct flight is about the only bonus of Allegiant. We've went from Brandon and other then the layover in Calgary the difference was really negligible if you didn't have a overnighter. Plus not having to drive 2.5-3 hrs home after compared to the few minutes from Brandon is worth something to me too. You really need to factor in all the little extras before thinking it's such a great deal.

Of a deal to fly Minot to Vegas especially with the exchange rate. And allegiant air has really gone down hill as far as safety and service. I will pay $250 more per flight and use WestJet.

Where can a person leave a vehicle in Minot besides the airport?

There used to be a similar place like Airpark in Winnipeg but it's been closed for over a year now. My in-laws left a vehicle at the old International Inn (think it's called The Grand now) but you had to stay a night in the hotel and they shuttled them over to the airport in the morning, however when they returned the driver side window was smashed and vehicle ransacked. Nothing was stolen but it was a chilly ride home. But it's an option of you don't want to pay $14 US a day at the airport

Good to know.

As and example...you can fly out on April 20th fly back April 23rd on allegiant for $186 Canadian or Westjet on those same dates for $616. That's $440 more or less pays for you're room at the Luxor or New York New York.  
 
Yes it will cost you $56 for parking and yes you do have to drive to Minot but you also have to sit at the Calgary Airport for AT LEAST...MINIMUM that 2-2 1/5 hours anyway and you're flying for the 2 hours or driving for 2 1/2. You also get to trade the reasonably quick customs at the peace gardens or Goodlands for the lines and customs at the Calgary airport. Power to you Jackson67, different strokes for different folks I guess but we've done both ways and it was far easier to just go to minot...and actually even going to Bismark was still less of a hassle and the extra $400/$500 in your wallet makes a difference down there when you're trying to cover those restaurant bills.

Heynow! Don't forget to add $38US each way for checked bag (if purchased in advance $50US at airport) and $30US each way for a carry on if traveling Allegiant per person. I can get by with a carry on only but my wife has to have both. We have a WestJet credit card so all our luggage is free. So yea you really do need to sit down and do some figuring before you think it's such a great deal. 6 hours of driving vs a couple hours layover meh but like you said different strokes. Lots different factors and pros and cons of both. Best thing to do is sit down and figure it all out for your dates and times you want to be there. Although If you think you will have an extra $400/500 in your pocket I'd really like to borrow your calculator!  
 
Edited by Jackson67, 2020-02-03 09:35:35

But I did pay roughly the same for my checked bag on westjet about a month ago...but regardless...We've done the Brandon west jet thing and our opinion was the lay over and 2 flights etc wasn't worth it, but that's just us. Maybe the OP is like you, maybe they're like me. Sometimes it's fun to drive down and have a couple drinks and what not before you get on the plane...I know for us it actually took away from the holiday experience jumping on a plane straight out of Brandon and rushing through the airport, waiting for the next plane. It also just felt like a REALLY long flight after that. I love west jet, if I have to fly out of Canada I only fly west jet or Sunwing...but I Gotta say that for us and everyone we know Allegiant is the only way we go to Vegas.

Westjet for giggles did March 5 to March 11. Price is $692.34. Flight there is 9 hours and 27 minutes. Flight back is 21 hrs and 23 min. There is a night over in Calgary. That puts you at a hotel for over night at about $140. So just under $900 and almost 31 hours of travel time.  
 
Allegiant is $287US includes checked baggage and seat selection, etc. Flight is roughly 2.5 hours each way. That is 5 hours of plane and 6 hours of driving. Flight time actually is nicer. Plane departs at 9:20pm leaving time to drive down. Flight comes back at 11am allowing plenty of time to drive back. Parking is $72US for a week. So roughly $359 CAN to fly and park. Plus your gas to Minot and back....$100-$125.  
 
I would be saving about $400 plus 20hrs of plane/airport travel.  
 
By all means correct me if I am wrong in my math but I just pulled that off their sites.

Agree. Go Sunday night, return Friday. Weekend prices go WAY up.

The 1.32% exchange rate to add on to all USD figures....

I've been down a dozen times or more and Allegiant is by far the cheapest. You can fly down from Minot, Bismark, Grand Forks or Fargo if you book a little in advance and check rates multiple times leading up you can usually snag a really good deal. A few times now I've managed to get $100 return Per Person. But the savings on the flight are only one part of it, if you look at the package deals you can get some nice hotels for cheap. My go to hotel is the Rio and I usually get it for $50 or less per night. I've stayed at many of the hotels and the Paris was a pretty good experience room wise on the strip. The best deals however, when I'm not playing poker at the Rio, are downtown on Freemont. The Golden Nugget has some great room deals through Allegiant and we've been given a free upgrade to the high roller suite twice now, if you do try the Nugget go for the Rush tower. We usually get a rental car as well, as they can be added on cheap, just get MPI extra insurance for a few bucks before you go. MPI rental insurance is pennies on the dollar compared to what they will charge you down there.

Plus if you leave just enough gas to get over the border at dunseith you are paying .66/ litre you fill up there and fill up there before going across to canada again the gas is dirt cheap there ia no comparison in dollars flying minot or flying brandon to vegas

Thank you all for your input and suggestions on the best way to fly to Vegas. It's not convenient for me (IMO) to fly through Calgary. Connecting flights on the way home are a pain. The reason I'm going, is to see an event that is only on once a year and happens to be on a weekend. Flying down on a Thursday. Returning on a Monday. So far, what I have found, is that Minot is the best way to make it work.

Have used allegiant the most. But at the moment there is a late flight to Brandon some days so you don’t need a night in Calgary. Quick check had leaving feb 12 back on 16. 840 bucks. Roughly 8 hour travel time each way. Not bad imo.

is April 2 - April 6. Not negotiable.

If you stayed for an extra day westjet could work. Leave April 2 return April 7. Roughly 8 hour trips. 640 dollars. Up to you. Not a bad choice either way.