Free parking and cocktails are as classic Vegas as the Rat Pack and all-you-can-vacuum-up buffets. Unfortunately, the casino resorts are dropping one of their acts. Ladies and gentlemen, blow a farewell kiss to gratis parking.
Properties along the Strip have started rolling out daily fees for self-parking and valet service. The wallet-squeezing trend affects both overnight guests and casino-hoppers.
Most of the major players are charging. Seven properties run by MGM Resorts — Aria, Bellagio, Delano, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, the Mirage and New York-New York — require visitors to pay $7 for one to four hours of parking and $10 for up 24 hours. Tack on $10 for overtime. At Excalibur, Luxor and Monte Carlo, also part of the MGM family, the fees are $5 and $8, respectively, plus $8 for additional time. One bright spot: The first hour is free. Valet parking ranges from $8 to $18, depending on the property and punch clock.
Eight properties owned by Caesars Entertainment, another big presence on the Strip, will charge for valet parking. Rates are $8 and $13 at Flamingo, Harrah’s and the Linq for less than or more than four hours, and $13 and $18 at Bally’s, Caesars Palace, the Cromwell, Paris and Planet Hollywood. Also, in the first half of the year, the company will introduce self-parking fees at select hotels — prices to be determined.
