Las Vegas - Parking and Resort Fees

[+ not2rowdy]

Beware… I’m on a rant… and want to make travelers aware.

 

The local media is very active discussing the recent decision by MGM Resorts to start charging a parking fee starting 1 April. The amount is still in discussion but could range from a small amount for a couple of hours to $20 for 24 hours. MGM Resorts (M Life) include MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, Aria, Vdara, Bellagio, Mirage, New York-New York and Circus Circus. However, if this parking fee catches on, the other Strip hotels will likely follow suit.

 

By the way, if you fly in and stay on the Strip you probably don’t need a car. Stay at a hotel central to the Strip and just walk. There are also some free rail trams that run between (Treasure Island - Mirage); (Bellagio - Aria); (Excalibur - Mandalay Bay).

 

And, while I’m thinking about it, travelers should also be aware of the Las Vegas poker slight of hand “resort fees” that get added to your check out bill. Beware the low advertised rates you might see to hook you. Make sure you know the real deal. Here’s a good link to resort fees. Go down to the bottom on the left column > Useful Tools > Resort Fees.

 

http://www.smartervegas.com

 

The odds in Vegas ALWAYS favor the house!

Caveat Emptor - and tell ALL your friends!

[seaboy4hire]

Four Queens downtown has no resort fees and free parking.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[sincitymix]

The introduction of a parking fee is absolutely disgusting on MGM's part and other properties will no doubt follow suit depending on the outcome. The parking structures at MGM's properties are in a state of despair and need a huge remodeling. The planned improvements are much needed and would be gladly welcome. However, a fee should not be charged for parking just because an organization clearly has lacked the capacity for maintaining its properties. Most of the improvements that are planned are already offered at the Cosmopolitan with no parking fee!

 

The Resort Fee itself is a huge money grab in itself. For example, at the Excalibur your resort fee pays for the following:

• Wi-fi internet services in your room and public areas

• Access to the fitness facility

• Boarding pass printing

• Incoming faxes at the business center

• Daily newspaper

 

And at the Luxor, your resort fee even goes towards PRINTING your MLife card that should already be complimentary for the rewards program itself!

 

MGM's profits are up and this is only another fee to be added to further pad their bottom line.

 

Normally when I visit Las Vegas I am usually staying at one of MGM's properties ( business related tends to be Luxor or Excalibur for cost saving, personal / pleasure goes to the Aria ). But this last visit to Las Vegas, I can already start to see a decline in quality and obvious lack of maintenance at all of MGM's properties. I love the MLIfe program and my elite status was earned the old fashion way. But it looks like I'll only be keeping that status through their hotel partners rather than actual spending.

 

In future visits I more than likely will be moving my business to other locations. It's "An Astonishing World", but MGM is slowly removing themselves from that world.

 

From what I understand, the fees are to help pay for the new stadium, rather then maintenance or remodeling.

[seaboy4hire]

That's almost like saying we're now charging a $20 obesity fee at the buffet to help fund a new installation of slot machines at the airport.

 

Dont give them any ideas.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[sincitymix]

That's almost like saying we're now charging a $20 obesity fee at the buffet to help fund a new installation of slot machines at the airport.

 

That's Vegas for you

[+ azdr0710]

I'll bet high rollers will still get free valet parking

 

while the rest of us poor slobs will foot the bill.....admittedly, free covered parking in Las Vegas has been an awfully generous perk during my occasional visits there....I don't gamble....I wonder if guests of the hotel connected to the specific garage will still get free parking

[jawjateck]

No problem since I never rent a car while there. Does Vegas have one of those fees to enter/exit the airport like DFW? I catch a cab and never notice if such a fee is included or not. If not, we fliers are being subsidized by ye drivers, and I thanky very much.

[jawjateck]

....I don't gamble....

 

Sorry to hear that friend, but if I ever see you strolling by my table with your entourage, I'll quit long enough for us to grab a beer and chat up the hobby, eh?

[mike carey]

That's almost like saying we're now charging a $20 obesity fee at the buffet to help fund a new installation of slot machines at the airport.

Yep, a similarly long bow! As was said above, don't go giving them ideas!

[jawjateck]

Most Vegas buffets would have to slip me a 20 or a 50 to get me to sample their "fare".

[MikeyGMin]

No problem since I never rent a car while there. Does Vegas have one of those fees to enter/exit the airport like DFW? I catch a cab and never notice if such a fee is included or not. If not, we fliers are being subsidized by ye drivers, and I thanky very much.

 

I'm pretty sure they do. It's been a few years and I don't pay much attention either, but it seems like it was only charged one way. Like a couple extra dollars when you are being picked up at the airport.

[Guest]

It seems kind of suicidal for a casino to charge for parking. Even if a customer intends to go to that casino, he will probably park at another casino, and spend at least a portion if not most of his money at the other casino. But I once was charged to park at a non-gaming Hilton hotel which was way up the strip. I think it was only $5 a day, though. For a casino to charge for parking seems penny-wise and pound-foolish to me.

[RM]

I don't think Reno has learned to charge for parking yet.

[seaboy4hire]

I don't think Reno has learned to charge for parking yet.

 

People go to Reno? I've been once and that was enough.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ azdr0710]

I was in LV a week ago and asked the check-in clerk about the impending parking charge.....she was pretty frank and honest and said that some people leave their car parked in the covered garages for days on end and take off to the Utah national parks or catch a cab to McCarran and avoid airport parking fees.....never realized that possibility

 

I can see the hotels' point now.....

[down_to_business]

Gamblers will not have to pay to park, so don't worry if you plan on playing. You may have to get your parking ticket validated, like at some of the downtown casinos. Of course, I haven't had a vehicle in LV to park for a long time and I do get free parking with my tier status (self and valet) at certain casinos anyway, so it isn't a big concern for me to begin with.