Pay Up! Increased Vegas Resort Fees Pass $50 & How to Avoid Them in 2021!

It’s always been a hard habit to break, but I think we can finallyiox away from the Wynn. They’ve gone back free parking and complimentary valet if you’re planning on staying there for some time – which means no more money spent with sickening taxes or Resort fees!

There are as yet a couple of gambling clubs on the strip with free stopping like SLS and Planet Hollywood yet it gets more enthusiastically.

When did Paris jump to $45/night? (As of writing this, not yet updated on the list but showing on official website for Paris that their resort fee is $45 plus tax per night)

There was a targeted credit card offer for some that would give them diamond status

Thanks for the information. Is this published anywhere? I thought the highest level you could get through the credit card

I think Marshall is confused about tier points vs rewards credits. Spend on the TR CC earns reward credits, which can be cashed out at 1c/RC. To qualify for Diamond, and thus waived resort fees, you need tier credits, which you do not earn from credit card spend on the TR

i got bug outta my system and ever since my friends and i have stayed at downtown specially at 4 queens since they dont have resort fees

You all say you are skipping Vegas but how many of you really will? I used to go about 10X year but have limited going due to the outrageous fees and being nickeled and dimed for EVERY little thing. Done. Sick of it. I for one am not going to stop going to Vegas but I will drastically reduce the frequency.

As a Platinum Bonvoy member, we should not even have to pay for the resort fees at any member hotel. I feel that the amount of money spent for that is well enough. The Westin Las Vegas is a good hotel with a tiny casino that’s not worth the extra costs. It’s not even a good “resort” Oh and by the way, what’s the definition of a “resort”?

I’m going with a contrarian view. I am Caesar Rewards Diamond, so I don’t pay resort fees at their properties. Likewise for parking (but I fly in and almost never rent a car anyway). If there were no parking fees, and no resort fees. they would probably have to hike the room rates. It could very well be that I would be paying more overall.

I’d be interested in your take on Reno, including some idea of costs and resort fees compared to Vegas. While I won’t make some absolute statement about how I’ll avoid Las Vegas forever, I’m certainly a lot less interested in visiting due to the ongoing crusade to wipe out value for visitors. Moves like constantly jacking up resort fees just illustrate that I’m absolutely not valued as a visitor. In circumstances like that I tend to avoid the place in favor of one where I feel like I’m not purely a mark to be preyed on.

I have found an absolutely 100% effective way to avoid the resort fees in Vegas. I simply don’t go there . Has worked for me every year since 1996.

People have accepted resort fees to be the norm so it is the norm.
Even in Hawaii, most hotels have resort, destination, city fees in addition to parking fees and taxes. I think Vegas and Hawaii have the worst fees. New York and San Francisco are probably up there too.

Do you know if you get Ceasars Diamond status and book via hotels.com, if you can get the resort fees waived still?

I USED TO GO TO VEGAS, NEVER AGAIN UNTIL THEY STOP FEES. ITS A RIP OFF. JESSE JAMES NEEDED TO A GUN TO STEAL! VEGAS USES FINE PRINT YOU CANT READ.

I took my wife to Vegas in October, 2019 for our 15 year anniversary. I had booked my trip through an airline. We stayed at The Venetian. I was shocked at getting charged like $40 a night for a Resort Fee. WTF is that? Why not just include it in the price of the room? No… it’s like a bait and switch. Lure you in with let’s say $100 a night room, but it will cost you $140-150 a night plus tax. This should be illegal. I know I won’t be going back to Vegas.

At least I can say that none of the casino’s got a penny out of me or my wife. We didn’t gamble or drink!!!

On a side note… I was checking out about going to Hawaii, and most of them charge Resort Fees.

you will pay 60 dollars to celebrate NYE at the Fremont Experience

When I stayed at the Golden Nugget on New Year’s Eve, they charged a resort fee and the pool areas was CLOSED. I told them to waive that resort fee off, but they insisted they can’t do it. Why was the pool closed? Too save money- they are just too stingy. plus, getting to celebrate at the Fremont Experience was too expensive. You had to pay 60 dollars to purchase a wrist band to get into the NYE celebration at Fremont Experience. That is a Rip off NYE fleecing. Do not go to the FREMONT EXPERIENCE TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE. YOU WILL PAY A HEFTY ADMISSION FEE TO GET IN . foget Vegas, you suck fo ever

Get ready for the CLEANING FEE, it will be added too, Honolulu and others are now adding cleaning fees, parking fees and resort fee, so Marked off Hawaii off your list

I feel cheated before I even begin with these resort BS fees. Why don’t they just show the darn real price. This has turned me off. I am going somewhere else for vacation. Vegas is not longer the place just to go have fun. Everything is too expensive.

I bet they will stop the fees once they notice the decline of clientele! I’ve been to Vegas 17 times and this one last time for my brothers 40th birthday, hence I had NOO idea they implemented these resort fees. I call it shaking down the customer, not only were there to spend and have fun. They want everything you bring to Vegas. Yup last time I’ll be going there! I rather go elsewhere…

I stay at Stratosphere every time- yes they have resort fees, but free Valet and Free Parking. Internet is decent enough to download files and watch videos. Go on the off season, November December January February and you will have a great time, plus it won’t be 110 degrees. I’m booking in February and it’s less than $400 for a whole package with everything!

Elara now charges a resort fee!!!!
So disappointed because that was one hotel which was awesome, on the strip, without resort fees. So upsetting to see it has joined the list

Resort fees in Vegas hotels is highway robbery and a money grab. The place has become too big, too crowded and too expensive for regular families. We spent our honeymoon in Vegas 40 years ago and it was a nice place to have fun back then but sadly now that’s not the case anymore!

38 years old angeleno here, after first time staying and partying on the strip in my early 20s i got bug outta my system and ever since my friends and i have stayed at downtown specially at 4 queens since they dont have resort fees ( ive never used their telephone,newspaper,their wifi,pool ,gym nor “business office) less traffic,less people and better beer prices

i didnt see wild bill gambling hall on the list. i t is a run down days in that charges 19.95 resort fee the rooms are as low as $24. ITs a dump has no amenities and has a resort fee. This all started with MGMs money grab. What they do is lower the hotel rates and then add this back so its the same price. then MGM started charging for parking. most had to follow because cars would park in other properties and walk over to mgm. At least some properties dont charge for parking still. Wynn and Veneitan. Unfortuantly its not just a vegas thing. A lot of properties in California charge resort or they call them destination fees. I went to santa monica on a “free” night with my points and was charged a $25 destination charge which was not disclosed on my reservation. This is not just a vegas thing its spreading like the plague and needs the FTC to strart clamping down on it

We love the Wynn They have gone back to free parking and complementary valet parking if staying there. We watch for sales and promotions offering perks like free buffet, then bite our tongue when paying the sickening taxes and resort fees.

Not only are the resort fees and parking fees driving people away from Vegas, but tonight I looked to see what entertainment was available were we to stop there on our way back to California this coming weekend, and there wasn’t one single show I’d pay to see. Endless Cirque du Soleil crap that’s been there for 20 years, magicians galore, washed up old singers and comics, and who knows what other garbage shows in the lesser venues. When I saw the increased resort fees AND then found out that parking was charged separately, we decided to just stay in a normal hotel in a normal part of town and forget the Strip ever existed. In tribute to the greed of Las Vegas hotel owners, we are planning to take two nights’ worth of resort fees and have a couple of the best steaks we can find in LA.

I’m passing through Vegas in August, looking for a hotel to just sleep for the night….see “no resort fees” on a search engine but guess what? Click through and there is an added “property fee” instead! Usually in the $40 range. Will look on the outskirts since I don’t care about the touristy things but that is pretty shady.

Stop the resort fees!!

Resort fees in Vegas hotels is highway robbery and a money grab. The place has become too big, too crowded and too expensive for regular families. We spent our honeymoon in Vegas 40 years ago and it was a nice place to have fun back then but sadly now that’s not the case anymore!

I live in Las Vegas, but I sometimes book rooms for incoming friends and family. The parking fees have been an absolute joke, and now with the resort fees skyrocketing, my friends and family have been finding other alternative places to vacation. Although, if you do your homework, and research the hotels that don’t charge all these fees, you can still have a great vacation in Vegas. Plan ahead and it will save you enough money to come back to Vegas. I dread having the Raiders coming to Vegas – its only more traffic congestion, accidents, and crime. Only top executives profit from this outcome. But they expect lots of California tourists for this attraction. All I can say is to plan ahead. And, btw, these fees are being transferred in paying this new Raiders stadium.

Wow, ready to book a flight and room for a friend and I. Read the resort fee and that changed everything. She gets free airfare, motel and food to go to Laughlin. No more Vegas for me!!

Don’t let the resort fees be a deturent. Vegas can still be a cheap vacation spot if you stay downtown as there will be small if any resort fee. The Four Queens Hotel and Casino has NO resort fee. You can get a city bus from the airport to downtown for about $4. The Strip is a rip-off but if you want to go there, it’s another $2 bus fare on “The Duce” double decker bus from downtown.

I used to go to Vegas 3 to 4 times per year. Rooms were approx. 40 to 50 per night. NO resort fees. Now they all nearly double the room price with rip-off resort fees. Who has used a telephone to make outside calls in last 5 years. Only used to call front desk. I don’t need internet or newspaper as I am on vacation. Now I no longer go to Vegas so they miss my lost gambling monies. Too bad. There are just too many other vacation places with out rip-off resort fees. I used to play in many poker tournaments but now, due to these silly resort fees, I simply play online. Restaurants are also way over priced. Vegas used to mean good prices on rooms and food so you would spend $$$ gambling. They are cutting their own throats.

The only way to avoid the dreaded resort fees is not to go. They started the resort fees when many people visited Vegas & business was very good. If you don’t go, & they start to lose money, they will be forced to remove the resort fees & parking fees. All businesses look for new customers & don’t treasure the ones who have been loyal throughout the years. The new customers come in the front door & the once-loyal ones leave through the back door. It appears as thought their customer base is increasing but it’s really not.
Instead, I spend my money travelling to Asia & it costs less, per day, than the resort fees alone in Vegas. I have seen & enjoyed so many diverse cultures & enjoy their foods. I needed this push to enrich myself. Don’t go. Stay away like I do.

I live in Vegas and won’t go to free shows given to me by friends. I won’t pay for parking or $25 for a can of beer at the House of Blues. I now travel internationally. I flew to Vietnam for $388 from LAX. Nice hotels on the beach from $20 to $50.Food was $1.50 to $5.00. Beer $.50. Massage $6. American travel is all the same now in any city. Starbuck, Olive Garden , Red Lobster….all crap.

I just called and cancelled our upcoming vacation in July to Vegas after reading all these comments. Holy crap!

I agree, was going to go to Vegas, but there are so many other options. I won’t be bent over at the end of the booking process with a 42.00 per night, small print, resort fee. … for amenities I’ll never use.

I was just traveling thru Vegas and was booking a stay at Ceasar’s Palace. When I saw the resort tax and the parking charges, I just kept on moving thru to my next destination. I wouldn’t have been upset to lose $1000 gambling, but I don’t like being ripped off. If they advertise a room rate, it should have all the fees included. I will never go there again. Plenty of casino action in Connecticut and elsewhere.

if they want you to gamble they better go back to cheap Vegas vacations. I think it will cost them more by upping prices/adding fees.

We stopped going to Vegas a few years ago when the resort fee bs became popular. We have enjoyed other vacation cities that don’t charge a fake fee. Im not a high roller, and must get value for my spending.

Also we previously stayed at Luxor, it was a very nice room, about the 25th floor, we really enjoyed the room. However, each time we came down thru the casino or lobby, we were set up by the time share weasels, who had booths set up and followed us around like leeches.

They made their resort fee statement, and now my wallet has made my response, please don’t be sheep and play that lame game.

Great article!

I also was hit with large unknown Resort fees. We thought we were paying for a deposit for the 3-day stay but turns out there was a hundred and fifty some dollars tacked on top of it.

There was very small print that said not including Resort fees on the flight/Hotel combo reservation but it did not give an amount.

Then I stupidly play slot machines I lost 8x more than the trip cost in a couple hours. The slot machines at the Westgate Resort were worse than the ones at the Indian casinos where I live…

Better to spend your money on a nice relaxing vacation than the hellhole of Vegas…

Just by reading everyone’s Responses, I have to agree. I was searching Hotels and with the extra resort fees there is no way I will be going , it is really a shame too. Vegas used to be reasonable and fun!

Yeah resort fees suck! I may go back in Vegas and stay in a NO-resort fee hotel.

I have been to Vegas about 30 times in the last 40 years. I live in Ontario, Canada & stopped going to Vegas because of the resort fees & parking fees. I usually rent a car too but, with the exchange rate for the US$ & the additional fees, it doesn’t make sense anymore. Instead, I play at the local casinos in Niagara Falls, get comped pretty good when you play at either of the 2 casinos, do not pay 30%+ for the exchange rate, enjoy a beautiful view of Niagara Falls (sans fees lol) & no tax on any winnings (in Canada).
What a sweet deal.
See ya LV !!!

I miss the good old days when Vegas was run by the mafia. Was so much cheaper, and you got many perks.

I agree with everyone the resort fees charged are excessive. The prices of most things in the big hotels on the strip is a rip. A starbucks coffee at MGM properties at $4.75 US is an illustration of the level of greed being promoted in LV these days. The club scene is outright absurd with bottle service and admission fees. If people stop going the prices will drop.

17$ at California hotel now

Fees for hooters are $35 Plus a tax on top of that. When all is said and done, you are out about $75/night, not the $20/night that tripadvisor and hotels.com advertise. And the place is pretty disgusting and dirty. There is no way I would get in that shower without shower shoes. All the rooms in the Bayview tower smell like greasy french fries because it’s right above the restaurant fryers.

The resort fees certainly make comparison shopping for rooms a pain in the butt… Instead of being able to see who costs what at a glance i have to click every link, find the fee, add it to the advertised rate and write them down… this is just false advertising plain and simple.

If anyone knows a hotel booking site that just adds vegas resort fees into the advertised price please mention them here so I can give them all of my business for the rest of my life.

Just got back after our third visit in six years, I mistakenly thought the resort fee was a Local Government tax not another con by the Hotel/casino owners. Whilst in town we went to the Mob Museum where I discovered the casino’s used to be controlled by various dodgy mobsters, I now see one bunch of crooks have now been replaced by another bunch but this time they are call Big Business, and now the coffee shop (as well as Diablo’s) near the strip entrance to what was the Monte Carlos have gone you cant even get a good cup of coffee in the vicinity.

Good buffet in the Tropicana

I agree with every comment here. It’s just not fun there anymore and I fear that the entire city will live up to their namesake . . . sin city a kind of hell on earth.

I agree with everyone above. When I go to Vegas with my wife we stay at the Wynn. It’s a beautiful property but last time we were there it felt like we were getting nickel and dimed to death. They also tried to hit us for an internet fee that was supposed to be included in the Resort Fee. You shouldn’t have to monitor your statement that closely at a resort of the stature to make sure you’re not being fleeced. We are currently receiving eMails like crazy from them. What a surprise (not really) they are now waiving self parking and valet fees for hotel guests. A friend of mine told me that the Supreme Court decision taking the Sports Book monopoly away from Nevada and the public finally getting fed up with getting ripped off by the hotel consortiums is has the Strip hurting. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority can play this any way they like but…, see the following article. http://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/la-tr-las-vegas-fees-may-mean-fewer-visitors-20180501-story.html

I can’t keep track anymore but does booking with points with any of the partner chains (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton) allow fees to be waived? I know a lot of places outside of Vegas when you booked with purely points (not point + cash) you can generally avoid any taxes and fees as well

So sad that resort fees were applied. My husband & I used to visit Vegas more times than I can count but have not been there for the past few years since resort fees were added. We visit local casino’s now with no resort fees & comp rooms. We miss Vegas but now have more money to gamble with. Your lost VEGAS.

Just got back from excalibur.
Truck was stolen off their lot. Funny…I can’t leave the lot without checking out with the hotel key.
Truck returned. After a 100 dollar taxi ride to the tow station and a 300 dollar get the truck put of jail. Truck was thrashed but drivable
Hotel gave us a 100 food credit.
Went to the steak jouse. The 32 dollar steak was just that. If you want a potato or side it costs extra.
Booked an extra night cuz the truck was found 2 days later. Lady printed 2 new door kwya cuz of the extra night.Drivable but thrashed. Of course they aren’t responsible.
Next day the front lady forgot to book the extra night.
Went to go get in our room and of course…couldn’t get in.
Oops. Went to the management and she comped a couple of nights and said sorry it happens like when she vlbought a new air condtoner and it capped our 2 days later…what? Lol

Last day room wasn’t cleaned or new towels given. Called the front desk and the girl that answered the phone atated…is this about what you already called about
WOW
Checked out and of course we got charged for the food. The credit wasn’t there after 3 attempts and being told it was there twice.

We just left. It was nothing but nighte mares everyday

This is what you get for resort fees and parking fees.

i go to vegas often , but due to the resort fees will no longer be returning unless this changes..if i do go back i will be looking for a hotel without the fees

I just wrote Wynn this note It’s not just Resort fees Its Fee on top of the fee taxes on top of fees >>
Wynn sent me a great opportunity to stay at your property We have always wanted to stay at your property and its our favorite place to visit Having breakfast by your pool is exquisite but, tell me if this is right>>>?

$311.60 for 2 nights with buffet Then you ad on another 41% of taxes and fees that are not detailed. Then another 25% of $78 of resort fees are added on? 66% of fees? 66%? $208.11 in addon fees? Ask this question What do you pay 66% in fees? You advertise a fair fee for your product then add 66% in fees? does this sound like a good deal? So the $311.60 turns into $519.71 The $156 a night is now $259.85 a night . I understand you need to make a profit but does this seem legitimate?

$37.40 resort fee per day at Stratosphere but no parking fees. Was just there Oct 3-6, 2018. Staying at Cortez in Fremont St for SEMA Show and only $10 Resort fee there and free parking. I’d rather spend my money on food and drinks than gamble or outrageous hotel fees. Used to visit Vegas at least 6 times a year but after SEMA will not go back anytime soon.

Shawn …. Elara by Hilton “PH Tower” now charge a daily resort fee of $25.00 USD I just wanted to book a room but I got this : ” Daily Resort Charge will be added to the room rate and includes: Guest Internet access; domestic long distance calls (30 min per day max); DVD Now w/unlimited movies; 2 Starbucks coffees or 2 16oz bottles of water per day; 1-800/Local Calls. ” At least you get 2 starbucks coffees a day lol …. I’m pretty sure in no time Elara will charge also for the parking … I’m really upset with all these resort fees and parking fees and what more next?

I am from Belfast Northern Ireland we stayed in one of the hotels on the strip before I got the keys to our room we were charged 495 dollars resort fees to be honest people from all parts of Ireland will think again about going there and it’s not that we our young we don’t do th gym it’s a shambles people will think twice about going back to Las Vegas what about giving the resort fees to the homeless

I’m pretty sick of these fake resort charges that account for nothing that hotels haven’t already included before. You can go to a hotel anywhere and get free internet and pool without these charges and what pay 2.50 to print a piece of paper and fax? If they needed to include the cost of these “amenities” include it in the room rate. I was going to get married in Vegas next year, but some family members have never been there, may budget for the hotel when they book, and be surprised to find these disgusting charges upon their checkout. I won’t be subjecting them to that and won’t be going to Vegas as planned this year due to MGM suing victims of the shooting as a ploy to relieve themselves of any responsibility.

Rob, I used to love Vegas, too, especially since I live only 4 hours away and can drive there. It was really one of the cheapest weekend getaways for us. Now, it’s ridiculous. I used to HAVE to go at least once a year, but I honestly never have to go again. They are taking major advantage of tourists mostly, and people are so excited about overrated LV, that they are just coughing up the ridiculous fees. About 3 days in Vegas is my limit. The city becomes extremely depressing and boring and it’s time for me to go home. I concur with your entire post.

Now, we just drive for an hour and a half to Pechanga and it’s just like a Vegas casino. We stay in a nearby hotel for a few nights and have a great time. Who needs Vegas??

There is nothing unique about Vegas anymore. Most states have casinos and entertainment. last month I stayed at the Excalibur. I enjoy it because of the pools. The rooms are fairly nice as well. However, the resort fees and a separate parking fee PER DAY did it for me. I will not return. Vegas has turned into a tourist trap. The prices would not be nearly as high if half the strip wasn’t owned by MGM and the other half Ceaser’s. They have a very tight control on the lower half of the strip. A resort fee for local calls and 800#? really??? When was the last time you used a phone in a hotel room. A newspaper? Good luck finding one. Internet?? Again, if you can find internet that works correctly and is not “Spotty”, best of luck! It is the hotels choosing to provide a pool for its guests as well as a phone. the Federal Trade Commision needs to look at this much closer. Vegas is just a joke.

Vegas can be CHEAP if one knows the “tricks of the trade. First off, you can fly there incredibly cheap if you go on “off-days” and on economy airlines. Second, once your in McCarran International Airport, you can get a city bus at the terminal to the Strip for a few dollars and to Downtown for around $6. A cab there will be like $25-$35 or more! Fourth, Downtown has decent hotels and many do not have resort fee’s and if they do, they are small compared to the Strip. Fifth, when staying Downtown, you can take FREE shuttles to the Strip and back (via Sam’s Town) at the Fremont Casino. If it’s late in the evening and the shuttle stops running, take a 24-hour city bus. I think that you can take UNLIMITED rides on the “Duce” for $10 a day. Look online for the City of Las Vegas bus schedule. No need to start getting screwed the second you leave the airport terminal. Bottom line, if you want to have a Liberace Vegas Vacation, then paying the resort fee’s won’t be a big deal for you. If your like me, staying Downtown with next to free transportation over the entire city, I have more fun than than 95% of the new-comers and even some repeat visitors. Besides, staying Downtown is as close to “Old Vegas” as one will get and the live bands and entertainment on Fremont Street in the evenings brings me back to the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s!

Vegas used to be one of my favorite places to go. All these fees have really chipped away at my love for it. The parking fee tacked on to a hotel you’re already paying a separate resort fee on has been the straw for me. I haven’t been back since last summer, and don’t know if I even want to at this point.

What I loved about Vegas was the free flowing booze, the relatively cheap (and good food), and the dream of having the chance to win some money. I’ve turned my sights to Laughlin now. Is this the surest sign that I’m getting older and am no longer hip?

Vegas is vastly overrated and over priced. There are better and cheaper places to go.

Is there any membership that can work at MGM Grand?

Do you have to reserve the hotel thru the Founderscard system to get the waiver? Do you still get credit for stays and points with the hotel loyalty club?

I go to Vegas often. Because of the frequency of my visits, I don’t feel a need to be on the Strip or even anywhere close to it, perhaps a better description is that I avoid the Strip like the plague! Always remember, Vegas is also a very large city, there’s plenty of options for “regular” hotels with chains we all use to glean our points. Maybe consider those unless you’re a Vegas newbie and absolutely must stay on the Strip.

Hi Shawn. Confess I’ve really let you have it on Vegas fees and charging you for EVERYTHING before (e.g., it’s like flying Spirit airlines — on the ground, only worse) Yet credit to you for gamely (ahem) trying to put lipstick on the proverbial … whatever. 😉

I do truly (and sincerely) hope you’re prediction about resort fees being the wave of the future is quite wrong. The king of misdirection, shady dealing, buy ‘n switch and resort fees may be in the White House for now, but I honestly do not see resort fees spreading across the country. Frankly, I avoid them like the plague — and when I find out ANY hotel is trying to slip them on me, I’ll either cancel that reservation, or see if by paying 100% on points, I can have them waved. (as many chains do)

Bottom line: single best and easiest way to avoid paying Vegas resort fees….

is to avoid traveling to Vegas.

(when your Chamber of “Commerce” reads that, they’ll likely pound you for not deleting it. *tic)

Whats the foundercard addidas code for 30% off?

Does Hyatt Globalist get resort fee waived at Bellagios?

Booking Caesars with Wyndham reward points, do you still pay resort fees? Do I even need to ask?

The Total Rewards card will waive resort fees if you spend $15,000 in one year or if you get 15,000 tier points thru Total Rewards they waive all resort fees at their properties which include Caesars Palace.