My experience -- you will rarely find a package that names a hotel for less than you can find a similar quality hotel from priceline or hotwire, plus air from the airlines. However, if you do find the package cheaper -- it gives you a level of certainty (i.e., you know exactly where you're staying). Also, my experience with packages is that the really low prices have inconvenient flight times, so make sure to reprice the package with air that is acceptable to you. Bottom line, unless I got very lucky and found a super price, the only reason I would consider a package is if I had a strong (positive or negative) preference for a specific property and wanted a guaranty. One hint if you're not ready to book a package now -- In my experience, the 'range of air fares' varies less than the 'range of hotel room rates', (for example, air from ny is rarely less than $250 rt and rarely more than $450 rt). However, hotel reservations can be made, which are generally cancellable. So, if you find a cheap rate, grab it and cancel when you find something better. Example -- for my summer trip, I'm currently holding a $45/night reservation at Rio. I'd be very surprised if I don't wind up in one of the following hotels through hotwire -- Wynn(Encore), Venetian(Palazzo), Signature, THEhotel (though at a higherr rate). With my Rio reservation, I have the luxury to wait and hope I find what I want at the price I want it.
