Can AI Plan Your Perfect Las Vegas Getaway

A High-Stakes Gamble on AI Travel Planning

I'm usually the type of traveler who loves meticulously planning every detail of a trip, from restaurant reservations to sightseeing routes. It's part of the excitement. However, when a last-minute trip to Las Vegas came up, I found myself completely overwhelmed. As a first-time visitor to Sin City, the sheer volume of options for hotels, dining, and entertainment was daunting.

With limited time and even less motivation for my usual detailed planning, I decided to take a chance. I put my faith in ChatGPT, feeding it my travel dates, interests, budget, and pre-booked tickets. I let the increasingly popular AI assistant take the reins. The results were a mix of incredible wins and spectacular failures.

The AI Travel Agent: Where ChatGPT Succeeded

After I provided some basic information and preferences, ChatGPT asked a few smart clarifying questions. Within seconds, it generated a clean, logical, and easy-to-digest three-night itinerary. It even offered a map plotting out each suggestion, a feature I hadn't even thought to ask for. I showed the "AI-tinerary" to a Las Vegas expert colleague, who called it a "stellar" plan for a first-timer, which was a great confidence boost.

One of the biggest wins was using the AI for hotel comparisons. I wanted to use Hilton Honors points and had narrowed my choices to the Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World and the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. I asked ChatGPT to compare them for my trip. It quickly and accurately summarized the key differences: the Waldorf Astoria is a quieter, more upscale, non-casino property, while the Conrad offers the vibrant, flashy casino experience. As a first-timer seeking that classic Vegas vibe, I chose the Conrad, and it was the perfect fit. Using AI to sift through reviews saved me a ton of time, a strategy I'll definitely use again.

MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY

ChatGPT also excelled at finding budget-friendly dining options. I was worried about the rising costs in Vegas and wanted to avoid overspending on food. The AI provided great suggestions complete with cuisine type, price estimates, and locations. It even pointed out happy hour deals to save money on drinks. When we deviated from the plan and walked into random bars, we were hit with $15 beers and $30 cocktails—a harsh reminder that I should have stuck to the AI's cost-effective suggestions.

It also smartly incorporated my Hilton Honors Diamond food-and-beverage credit, suggesting I use it for a snack right after checking in to save some money from the get-go.

STUART DEE/GETTY IMAGES

Glitches in the Matrix: ChatGPT's Epic Fails

Despite the successes, the AI had some serious blind spots. The first major issue was its lack of awareness of major events. I told ChatGPT I had rented a car from Circus Circus to hike at Valley of Fire State Park at a specific date and time. It suggested a simple walk across the road from my hotel. What it failed to account for was a 60,000-person music festival starting at the exact same time right next to Circus Circus. The area was pure chaos, with thousands of fans, road closures, and heavy traffic, which threw our entire schedule off. An AI savvy enough to check local event calendars would have been a game-changer.

MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY

The AI's transportation advice was also questionable. I knew that the Las Vegas Strip is deceptively long, so I asked for the best ways to get around. It repeatedly suggested ride-hailing services for trips that were short, pleasant walks. For instance, it recommended a 7-minute drive for a journey to Treasure Island that was a beautiful 25-minute walk. I'm glad I ignored this advice. I took a magical sunset stroll along the Strip, avoided rush hour traffic, and saved money on a needless Uber ride.

MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY

But the biggest fail was a complete geographical blunder. I asked for a themed diner to stop at for lunch "en route" back from our hike at Valley of Fire. It recommended Cablp, a restaurant owned by magician Criss Angel. After our hike, we plugged it into Google Maps only to discover it wasn't on the way at all—it was a 20-minute drive in the opposite direction. We had to scrap the idea and find something else on the fly. Why ChatGPT considered a 40-minute round-trip detour to be "en route" is a mystery.

MINOANDRIANI/GETTY IMAGES

The Verdict: Can a Rigid Itinerary Work in Vegas?

Ultimately, the biggest lesson was that Las Vegas is simply not the right destination for a rigid, hour-by-hour itinerary. It's a city built for spontaneity. After a few strong cocktails and some luck at the roulette table, we found ourselves happily abandoning the plan to see where the night would take us. It also felt awkward to constantly check an AI's instructions when traveling with a friend.

This kind of AI-driven itinerary might work better for a solo traveler or in a destination where strict scheduling is more common, like Tokyo.

What the AI Learned: ChatGPT Responds

Curious, I fed my feedback directly to ChatGPT. Here's a summary of what it had to say:

• The Itinerary's Purpose: It clarified the plan was meant as "scaffolding, not a script," a flexible framework for improvisation.
• Transportation: It noted that it switched to walking suggestions after I queried the initial ride-hailing advice, allowing for real-time choices.
• The Music Festival: It acknowledged this was a fair critique, admitting that real-time event detection isn't enabled by default and it should proactively flag major events near key locations.
• The "En Route" Diner: It explained that themed diners were sparse in that area and CABLP fit the theme but was a detour. It conceded it should have clearly labeled the suggestion as optional and noted the extra distance.

RACHEL CRAFT/THE POINTS GUY

Final Thoughts on AI-Powered Travel

While I could have saved a bit more money by sticking to the ChatGPT itinerary, I had an amazing first visit to Sin City by embracing its chaotic energy. I would absolutely use ChatGPT again to help plan my next trip, especially for research like comparing hotels or finding budget options.

However, I wouldn't ask for a minute-by-minute schedule. My best advice for Las Vegas is to roll the dice, go with the flow, and see where you end up. That’s where the real jackpot is.