Wynn Las Vegas Free Parking (Valet & Self) Returns
The Vegas parking wars are real. A few years ago MGM Resorts International fired the first shot by implementing both self and valet parking charges at most of their Las Vegas Strip properties and soon others followed including Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts among others.
What many of the executives who implemented these shortsighted fees failed to take into account is that people and businesses are tired of paying them. While the Las Vegas Strip had a long history and tradition centered around free parking, that isn’t why people are upset. There are simply too many fees. Resort fees. Mini-bar fees. Parking fees. So many.
Related: Stop Fighting Resort Fees: This Is a MUCH Better Solution!
And Las Vegas has suffered a bit because of it. Last year the major Strip players all had disappointing earnings in Vegas which lead to targeted promos and the softening of some fees. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority releases numbers for occupancy and revenue per available room and let’s just say things aren’t growing. They aren’t shrinking either, but visitor growth at .6% this year isn’t good.
While we won’t solve the nickel and diming issue overnight nor will we see the long term implications of these short sighted policies for years, some companies are already backtracking. Earlier this year Wynn Resorts walked back their paid self parking policy and now they have returned to offering free valet parking as well.
Wynn Las Vegas Free Parking Change
Beginning on September 30, 2019 Wynn Las Vegas free parking (both valet & self) will return. Additionally, parking will be offered complimentary without the need for validation or anything else. It’ll be just like the good old days. Pull up, park and keep your wallet in your pocket. (But don’t forget to tip the valet!)
While I applaud this move, I feel like Wynn simply didn’t have much of a choice in this matter. They are located on the Northern part of the Strip and all of their neighbors offer free parking. Across the street you can park for free at Fashion Show Mall and TI, plus the Palazzo and Venetian next door also offer free parking. I’m sure it ended up costing them more money in lost business than the fees generated.
Related: How to Get Free Parking on the Las Vegas Strip & Avoid Fees at Hotels That Charge!
Free Parking Returning to the Strip?
Over the past couple of days we have covered some exciting and interesting stories about the changing landscape of Las Vegas. For the most part the Strip has been controlled by two huge companies (Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts) and these two companies have dictated a lot of the changes we have seen. With Caesars in the middle of a merger and MGM looking to sell flagship properties, plus the Circus Circus sale, things may be changing.
I am not a psychic and won’t pretend to be able to predict what the future will hold, but with a softening economy and growth almost stagnant, I definitely could see a softening of fees. Anecdotally everyone I speak with mentions how the Vegas experience isn’t what it once was because everywhere you turn there is a huge fee. This perception is damaging in the long term and is something that should be concerning to Vegas insiders.
Bottom Line
The Northern end of the Las Vegas Strip is once again a free parking mecca, while the Central and Southern Strip areas remain mostly “pay for play” due to the duopoly of Caesars and MGM. I applaud Wynn Resorts for backtracking on their parking policy and hope the next time they decide to follow the leader they think twice and instead lead a bit themselves.
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how about uber / lyft around, bam! No parking fees.
Well, as I haven’t been tender with you over vegas greed before, can at least acknowledge your (oh so gentle) reporting of the good news….. Yet this is chicken feed in the bucket….. During our one and only visit to “the strip,” we were billed for everything in the rooms save for the dmn’d air….. the Spirit Airlines model on the ground….. Haven’t been back since. Wife hated it. Bucket list scratched off — forever. (LAS was far more interesting as a jumpin’ off point to Utah natural wonders…… but won’t do it that way again either.)
Still, what would really be earth shaking would be for these greedy Trump & Bibi-buddy billionaires to stop with all the resort fees…. (period). I dare just one major player (other than the lowly Days Inn) to try it, and advertise it…. BIG, really HUUUUGE.
See what happens. Til then, I’ll be staying far, far, far away….
The next recession will lay all of these fees to waste. They are merely making hay while the sun shines.
The post-2001 dot-com economy crash was one of the best values for Vegas ever. They couldn’t give the rooms away fast enough just to get people gambling.
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