Vegas Vengeance - An APAT Adventure........AKA "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Bar"

[RioRodent]

Welcome aboard Ian! It"s gonna be some ride!

Will you be taking someone along to take notes and pictures, so that you have something to remember.

[technolog]

Welcome aboard Ian! It"s gonna be some ride!

Will you be taking someone along to take notes and pictures, so that you have something to remember.

That"s a damned good idea Alan!

[Paulie_D]

Welcome aboard Ian! It"s gonna be some ride!

Will you be taking someone along to take notes and pictures, so that you have something to remember.

That"s a damned good idea Alan!

Update to Packing List:

Pen - Check
Pad - Check
Camera - Check

Sorted!

[Jon MW]

...
For phone use, I intend to use MrSimCard.com. you can get unlimited use for up to a months for around $120 (inc delivery). I think there are cheaper options for shorter periods.

...

What about the idea of buying a prepaid cell phone whilst out there, had a quick look $30 from a store quite near the strip - from $10 if you get to a Walmart - assuming the price of calls themselves aren"t so much different from over here - wouldn"t that be a pretty cheap option?

[Paulie_D]

Jon.

The answer is yes, been there done that...in the old days before "data" was involved.

If all you want is calls and texts...it"s a decent option...and I"ve done it, however, if you want your whizzy iPhone or Android device to be fully utilised then you have to have a data allowance....and you can"t buy that with a "burner".

Believe me, I researched it...a lot.

[Jon MW]

Jon.

The answer is yes, been there done that...in the old days before "data" was involved.

If all you want is calls and texts...it"s a decent option...and I"ve done it, however, if you want your whizzy iPhone or Android device to be fully utilised then you have to have a data allowance....and you can"t buy that with a "burner".

Believe me, I researched it...a lot.

Sounds like it might suit me - I don"t really want to use my phone the same as I would over here, I just want communication available for if I need it. This way will limit what I"ve spent (because it"s pay as you go) and if I don"t use it, then I won"t have "wasted" too much.

[RioRodent]

Jon.

The answer is yes, been there done that...in the old days before "data" was involved.

If all you want is calls and texts...it"s a decent option...and I"ve done it, however, if you want your whizzy iPhone or Android device to be fully utilised then you have to have a data allowance....and you can"t buy that with a "burner".

Believe me, I researched it...a lot.

Sounds like it might suit me - I don"t really want to use my phone the same as I would over here, I just want communication available for if I need it. This way will limit what I"ve spent (because it"s pay as you go) and if I don"t use it, then I won"t have "wasted" too much.

However, all the people you may want to communicate with (assuming it will be other APATers?), will be an international call for you (costly?) and they will have to pay to receive said call.

[Paulie_D]

However, all the people you may want to communicate with (assuming it will be other APATers?), will be an international call for you (costly?) and they will have to pay to receive said call.

Cell/Mobile service in Vegas is generally flaky, I have found, and a hybrid solution using texts/emails is my preferred method.

For calls, it depends on the individuals roaming agreement...some will charge you an international call and some local.

In the past, I have always found it best to send texts which are generally cheaper than calls. I have had occasions though where texts have just vanished into the ether so this time round, I"m going to ask for emails which will get delivered direct to my phone.

I"m sure we"ll whip up a phone/email list before we go...just another thing to add to the list.

EDIT: Forgot to add that Twitter and Facebook updates work well too!

[RioRodent]

However, all the people you may want to communicate with (assuming it will be other APATers?), will be an international call for you (costly?) and they will have to pay to receive said call.

Cell/Mobile service in Vegas is generally flaky, I have found, and a hybrid solution using texts/emails is my preferred method.

For calls, it depends on the individuals roaming agreement...some will charge you an international call and some local.

Charge being the operative word here though.

In the past, I have always found it best to send texts which are generally cheaper than calls. I have had occasions though where texts have just vanished into the ether so this time round, I"m going to ask for emails which will get delivered direct to my phone.

I"m sure we"ll whip up a phone/email list before we go...just another thing to add to the list.

EDIT: Forgot to add that Twitter and Facebook updates work well too!

I"ve always found texting to be adequate, however i can see how Twitter could be useful, particularly with smartphone apps giving quick and easy access.

[Paulie_D]

However, all the people you may want to communicate with (assuming it will be other APATers?), will be an international call for you (costly?) and they will have to pay to receive said call.

Cell/Mobile service in Vegas is generally flaky, I have found, and a hybrid solution using texts/emails is my preferred method.

For calls, it depends on the individuals roaming agreement...some will charge you an international call and some local.

Charge being the operative word here though.

Of course, nothing is for free...but I recall that when I was with O2, they treated my calls to UK numbers as UK calls...odd but that"s the way I remember it.

Everyone should check with their operators and see if bundles/bolt-ons etc. are available to reduce the cost.

[duke3016]

Wee Man"s Passport came back so along with the Flights & Hotel the ESTA"s are sorted as well.

Now for the ITIN in case I cash HUGE  

[Jon MW]

However, all the people you may want to communicate with (assuming it will be other APATers?), will be an international call for you (costly?) and they will have to pay to receive said call.

Cell/Mobile service in Vegas is generally flaky, I have found, and a hybrid solution using texts/emails is my preferred method.

For calls, it depends on the individuals roaming agreement...some will charge you an international call and some local.

Charge being the operative word here though.

Of course, nothing is for free...but I recall that when I was with O2, they treated my calls to UK numbers as UK calls...odd but that"s the way I remember it.

Everyone should check with their operators and see if bundles/bolt-ons etc. are available to reduce the cost.

I had a quick look and O2 look expensive - but good point, I should really do some "proper" research before I go

[Paulie_D]

Now for the ITIN in case I cash HUGE

My research from a few years ago is that you cannot get an ITIN BEFORE you go as you have no taxes to account for yet....at least that was the reply I got from the IRS at the American Embassy.

Generally, the Casino will get you to fill in the relevant forms if needed.

[Delboy]

Now for the ITIN in case I cash HUGE  

LOL  

[Delboy]

Back to the phones, I found this for iphone users

http://tillschadde.blogspot.com/2009/04/using-prepaid-data-plan-w-iphone-when.html