💸 $20 Las Vegas Upgrade Trick – And 9 Other Insider Tips You Need for the Southwest

If you’re planning your first Southwest USA road trip, welcome to the adventure of a lifetime! But before you load up the rental car and hit the open road, I’ve got 10 travel hacks that will save you money, time, and stress. These are real-world tips designed for first-time road trippers, so you don’t need to be a travel pro to use them.

From sneaky Las Vegas upgrades to avoiding sky-high gas prices in the desert, these tips will have you road-tripping like a seasoned explorer—without making rookie mistakes.

Let’s get into it 👇

 

🚏 Table of Contents

• 🎰 The $20 Trick in Las Vegas
• 🧊 Grab a Cooler on Day 1
• 💳 Bring Two Credit Cards
• 🏞 Buy the National Parks Annual Pass at the Gate
• ⏱ Beat the Heat & Crowds: Leave Before 8 AM
• 🚐 Use Park Shuttles Instead of Driving
• 📶 Get an E-SIM Before You Fly
• ⛽ Use GasBuddy to Find the Cheapest Gas
• 📷 Visit Famous Spots at Sunrise or Sunset for Epic Photos
• 🎁 Want Even More Tips Like These?

 

🎰 1. The $20 Trick in Las Vegas (Yes, It Actually Works)

First things first: let’s talk about a legendary Las Vegas tip that feels too good to be true—but often works.

When you check into your Vegas hotel, place a $20 bill between your ID and credit card, hand it over to the front desk agent, and politely ask:

"Are there any complimentary upgrades available today?"

This trick isn’t shady or illegal. It’s a well-known, time-tested method in Vegas. And no, you're not bribing anyone—you’re simply offering a tip for great service and seeing if they can hook you up.

What can you get?

• Room upgrades (bigger, better, more luxurious)
• A strip view instead of a parking lot
• Early check-in or late checkout
• Resort fees waived (sometimes)

Where does it work?

This tends to work best at:

• Mid-range hotels like New York-New York, Park MGM, The LINQ
• Higher-end hotels like The Venetian or Bellagio (though the expectations are higher)

Even if the upgrade doesn’t happen, the front desk will usually hand back the $20 with a smile. No harm done.

🧊 2. Grab a Cooler on Day 1—It’ll Be Your Road Trip Lifesaver

The American Southwest is beautiful, but it’s remote. There will be hours when there are no restaurants, gas stations, or grocery stores in sight. That’s where a cooler becomes your new best friend.

Why you need one:

• Keeps snacks, sandwiches, fruit, and drinks fresh
• Saves money on overpriced food in tourist hotspots
• Helps you stay hydrated in desert climates

Where to buy:

As soon as you land in San Francisco or Los Angeles, head to a Target, Walmart, or CVS and grab:

• A basic foam or plastic cooler
• A case of bottled water
• Some protein bars, fruit, and road snacks

Refill ice from your hotel each morning. Trust me—you’ll be glad you did, especially when you’re in the middle of Joshua Tree or Monument Valley.

 

💳 3. Bring Two Credit Cards (Trust Us on This One)

Imagine standing at a gas pump in Death Valley...and your credit card gets declined. Nightmare, right?

Here’s how to avoid that:

• Bring two credit cards (ideally from different providers like Visa and Amex).
• Make sure one has no foreign transaction fees if you're traveling from outside the US.
• Enable Apple Pay or Google Pay—many places accept it.

Bonus: If you’re using an American Express, check if your card includes travel perks like rental car insurance or hotel upgrades.

Having a backup card gives you peace of mind when you’re hours from the nearest city.

 

🏞 4. Buy the National Parks Annual Pass at the Gate

If your Southwest itinerary includes the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, or more, you’ll want the America the Beautiful Pass.

Here’s why:

• Costs $80 for the whole car (not per person)
• Valid for 12 months
• Covers 2,000+ federal sites, including national parks, monuments, and forests

Buy it at the entrance gate of your first park to avoid shipping delays. It's available year-round, and you can pay by card or cash.

If you’re only visiting one or two parks, it might not be worth it, but for most Southwest routes, it pays off fast.

⏱ 5. Beat the Heat & Crowds: Leave Before 8 AM

This is probably the #1 mistake first-timers make: starting the day too late.

By 10 AM, many popular sites (like Zion, Horseshoe Bend, or the Grand Canyon shuttle stops) are packed with tour buses and sunburned tourists.

Here's what to do:

• Set your alarm and leave by 7:30–8:00 AM.
• Pack breakfast to eat in the car.
• Enjoy cooler temperatures, empty parking lots, and magical morning light for photos.

You’ll also finish your day's activities earlier, giving you more time to relax at your hotel or enjoy a sunset view.

 

🚐 6. Use Park Shuttles Instead of Driving

In popular parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon, personal vehicles aren’t allowed in the main sightseeing areas during peak season. You’ll need to use the free park shuttles.

Why they're awesome:

• Air-conditioned and eco-friendly
• Stops at all major trailheads and viewpoints
• No parking stress or hiking extra miles from overflow lots

Head to the visitor center first to get a shuttle map and schedule. Buses usually run every 10–15 minutes, so you’re never stuck waiting long.

Pro tip: Sit on the right side of the bus for the best canyon views.

 

📶 7. Get an E-SIM Before You Fly

Whether you're navigating remote highways or checking in at your next hotel, staying connected is key. But international roaming fees? No thank you.

Solution: E-SIM cards

• Install directly to your phone (no physical chip needed)
• Get data coverage throughout the US
• Plans start around $54

Recommended provider: USA SIM

Before you buy, check that your phone supports E-SIM functionality. It’s the easiest way to use Google Maps, book hotels, translate menus, and even scroll Instagram from the Grand Canyon rim.

 

⛽ 8. Use GasBuddy to Find the Cheapest Gas (Especially in the Desert)

Gas prices vary wildly out west—and in remote areas, they can be shockingly high. You don’t want to fill up in Death Valley unless you absolutely have to.

Download the GasBuddy app and let it do the work.

How it helps:

• Find the cheapest gas station near you
• Filter by diesel or regular
• See live gas prices updated by other users

Pro tip: Always fill up before entering a national park or a long desert drive (like the stretch between Moab and Panguitch). Gas stations are few and far between.

 

📷 9. Visit Famous Spots at Sunrise or Sunset for Epic Photos

Want those jaw-dropping Instagram shots? Timing is everything.

Plan to visit key locations at golden hour—the time right after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft, golden, and perfect for photography.

Best sunrise/sunset spots:

• Monument Valley: Watch the Mittens glow as the sun rises behind them
• Horseshoe Bend: Epic at sunset (but go early to snag a parking spot)
• Grand Canyon: Sunrise at Mather Point = pure magic
• Bryce Canyon: Catch the sun breaking over the hoodoos at Inspiration Point

Don’t forget a small tripod or phone stand for solo shots. And yes—these views are worth the 5:30 AM alarm!

 

🎁 10. Want Even More Tips Like These?

If you found these tips helpful, just know they’re only the beginning.

There’s a massive hack for saving money on rental cars that we didn’t include here, because it’s exclusive to the 25-Day Southwest USA RoadBook.

This guide gives you:

• Daily routes with clickable Google Maps
• Hotels and activities for every budget
• Pro tips like the ones you just read
• Links to top-rated restaurants, photo spots, and hidden gems

👉 Ready to travel like a pro? Get the RoadBook here

 

🔚 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re road-tripping solo, with a partner, or your whole crew, these tips are designed to help you save money, stay comfortable, and maximize every mile.

✨ Save this post for later, share it with your road trip buddy, and don’t forget to pack that $20 bill when you hit Vegas!