Las Vegas Strip Free Parking Change
Las Vegas used to be known as a “bang for your buck” destination. Gone are the days of the true cheap Vegas experience though thanks in part to an effort towards attracting more affluent clientele, the improving economy and the popularity of Vegas itself.
Following the Great Recession in 2008, many hotels began charging resort fees. These fees started out small and helped the properties avoid hefty commissions to travel agents. Over time room rates have risen though and so have the fees. This has resulted in angry customers and high costs.
Then, a couple of years ago many Strip casinos decided to charge for parking. While this is the norm in many cities, the Las Vegas Strip had always been a free parking mecca with ample garage parking everywhere. While it’s true that Downtown Las Vegas has charged for parking forever, there was one huge difference.
When paid parking was implemented on the Strip, there was no way for the common man to avoid having to pay. In Downtown Las Vegas, just about everywhere you park can be free with validation. On the Strip, you either need some sort of casino elite status or you have to pay. It doesn’t matter how much you spend.
Wynn Las Vegas New Parking Policy
Thankfully, two hotels are backtracking. Wynn Resorts announced a big change to their parking policy (for Wynn & Encore) effective July 1, 2018. Under the new policy:
- Hotel guests will receive free parking. More specifically parking will be included in the $39 resort fee they pay.
- Guests who spend $50 or more on property will receive free parking. This will include money spent on gaming, food, dining and shopping.
This is perhaps the first admission that the fees had gone too far. Wynn is also located in an area where free parking still exists. Properties like TI, Venetian, Palazzo and even the Fashion Show Mall across the street all have free parking. One could imagine that Wynn was losing business to their neighbors by having this policy.
Will Others Follow?
I think the abundance of fees has soured many on the Vegas experience. Anecdotally less people are visiting for leisure but only time will tell if that is a long term trend. MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment have a lock on much of the South and Center Strip and thus have an easier time charging, since there are less neighbors to give parking away.
With that said, I think we will see adjustments to parking policies that allow paying customers to park for free. Either way, let’s chalk this one up as a win. What do you think? Is this a good move and will other casinos follow? Let us know your thoughts in a comment.
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As much money as I throw down in Vegas I flatly refuse to pay for parking!!! I’m sure my singular revolt won’t be noticed, but I’m not spending any of my dollars at casinos with parking fees.
[…] Couple of Vegas Strip Hotels Offer Free Parking:  A while back, hotels on the Vegas strip started to charge for parking.  Many people didn’t like this idea. Having elite status with certain hotels offered you free parking, but that’s it.  Now Wynn and Encore are reverting back to the good old days. […]
Your headline nearly prompted me to quip something about a “miracle”…. and then I saw that the daily resort fee is up now to a whopping $39!!!!
As much as I’d luv to meet you someday Shawn, and often fly THROUGH LAS, my one trip there few years ago (and experiencing being charged for just about everything except for the air — the Spirit Airlines model on the ground)….. really soured me on the place…. The Hyatt Place out by the airport is quite nice for layovers. 🙂
We also no longer visit Vegas as often as we use to. And it’s a real bummer because it would be our 1st choice if it wasn’t for all the extra fees.
Last time I went to Vegas, and had to pay for parking at Caesar’s Palace and Wynn, I decided that Vegas would not be an attractive destination anymore. So, this is a nice change. Only issue: Your title says two strip hotels changed, but you only discuss one — Wynn
I agree it’s a nice change. Most people consider Wynn and Encore to be separate casinos so that was my reference. I apologize if it was confusing.
This is great news, let’s hoping the lemmings follow!
The surcharge craze has gone way too far. I’ve cut down my stays in Las Vegas as a result.
I think all the MLife hotels give you free parking if you sign up.