Connie In MT

MGM Resorts International Las Vegas:
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...strip-36317086

Big4Flyer

It seems like things are getting out of hand with ancillary fees in Vegas. First the resort fees, now they're charging parking fees on top of the resort fees?

When we lived in Vegas a few years ago, we would valet park our car for trips > 5 days at the MGM and just take a taxi to save on parking. It sure beat standing out in the blazing long-term parking lot in the middle of the day waiting for the parking shuttle to come through. Maybe people like me are the reason they're charging for parking now.

It will be interesting to see if consumers respond to this and they pull back or if it catches on and all hotels start charging.

pseudoswede

Definitely the latter. What is the over/under before you cannot park for free at any Strip hotel? I say 8 months.

briggek8717

I wonder if you can get free parking with a certain status. Resort fees are ridiculous. Resort fees that don't include parking are insane. I'm planning on staying at Mandalay Bay in June (want the nice pool area for the kids). I'll probably just park at the Trop and walk across the street to Excalibur and take the monorail from there to Mandalay Bay.

Future trips will avoid MGM properties if they insist on charging for parking and others don't. This could definitely backfire on them if other hotels don't follow suit.

DenverBrian

Resort fees evidently aren't enough. And I agree, once there's precedent, the other casinos will eagerly follow. Somehow the casino cartel got MGM to go first - I guess once they realized they needed to have parking for the new arena, they decided it was time to go for the $$$.

Next up: Admission fee to the casino floor?

Locals with an MLife card will supposedly be exempt, with non-local MLife status yet to be determined.

cogitate

The January 2016 issue of Casino Player magazine confirms that MGM Grand is considering parking fees and adds that there are "two off-Strip boutique style hotels that are now adding $1.35 per night for electricity." See page 26. They don't identify the boutique hotels. An added charge for electricity? Truly appalling.

tatterdema

It was the norm all over the country back in the early 2000's. I work in hotels, and about every other guest tried to dispute it. Here is a decent article about it:

http://www.frommers.com/deals/hotels...ake-a-comeback

The parking fee sucks. For now, I will park at other properties that do not charge, and walk, which I am sure a lot of people will. That will cause the other properties to start charging because their garages will be full. Ugh.

Dieuwer

If this is implemented by other casinos I will boycott Vegas and inform others to do the same. It already is expensive enough as it is.

baccarat_king

I am not sure that would dissuade that many people from visiting. Under 15% of visitors rent cars in Vegas, IIRC. Of course, the impact is probably greatest on those who drive in from California.

Many casino venues have had parking fees, albeit this is new for the strip. Heck, many casinos outside of Las Vegas charged admission fees not that long ago. (thinking RiverBoats in Indiana, etc.)

Dieuwer

1. What about the locals?
2. Fees for overnight only?

baccarat_king

I was never under the impression that locals visited the strip very often. There are lots of "locals" casinos that offer a far greater (and more convenient) value.

I am certain status will most likely solve the parking fee issue. So, once again, the locals who visit often are also more likely to have status. Even if you don't (have status), the Hyatt==>Mlife alliance makes status relatively easy, at least on the Hyatt Platinum to Mlife gold level. (all you need is a credit card for that)

They will probably also have other "tie-ins" for free parking. It's common in Atlantic City to offer free parking for non-status guest with some amount of slot play (as an example). I wouldn't be surprised with similar tie-ins with performance tickets or dinner reservations.

On the other end of the spectrum, it might become a positive marketing "play" for CZR-Entertainment, if they decide to keep parking free.

Iltisman

This will impact on the rental car outfits at the airport. Travellers will turn to Uber etc .
Remember when the "resort fee" came in it was just a gnat bite, now it can be 50% of the room rate., so $10 is just the start for parking.

baccarat_king

but, many (already) do NOT rent cars

source : Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

My prediction, this will be the next "marketing feud." Also, remember, status at CZR-properties can eliminate resort fees. Might also be the same with parking. (eliminating or reducing substantially). Should be interesting.

spd476

While parking fees can be avoided if you don't have a car, how do hotels get away with charging mandatory resort fees? There is no way to get around them outside of having status. I assume they have good lawyers and lobbyists.

I look at it like an airline charging a mandatory checked bag fee, whether or not someone checked a bag.

jn in ca

...and so it begins...

The Westgate Las Vegas, formerly Las Vegas Hilton, installed parking gates, card readers and pay stations to their parking garage.

Although it is still speculation, it appears that this may have an exemption for people paying the Westgate's resort fee. Charging for other parking is completely fair, since the Westgate is next to that huge convention center.

Of course, MGM resorts will have no such exemption. The MGM resort fee does NOT include parking privileges, but does include a newspaper, if you are staying at an MGM facility and are willing to walk down to the lobby to pick up your $30/day newspaper.