Say Goodbye To Masks And Free Parking On The Vegas Strip

There’s no greater sign that things are returning to normal than the restoration of paid parking at casinos up and down the Vegas Strip. One of the most hated fees in Las Vegas was paused by all hotel and casino operators last year during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The combination of inexpensive hotel room rates and no parking fees led to increased occupancy. This is all changing. Beginning June 1 guests at MGM Resorts, Cosmopolitan, and Caesars guests will have to pay for self-parking and valet.

Visitation is up and people are spending more

Hotel room prices and fees are starting to return to 2019 levels now that visitation is increasing across the board in Las Vegas.

There was a big jump in the number of visitors and spending in April, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Executive Summary. Visitation to Las Vegas was 15.4% higher in April than in March. Hotel occupancy was up by 10.1% as well. The average daily room rate in April increased 9.2% in April from the previous month.

Most important for the hotel operators, Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 29.1% from the previous month. While these numbers are on the way up for the casino corporations, they’re still down from 2019. Bringing back paid parking will only help casino revenue get closer to more profitable times.

Paid parking paused most of 2020

Paid parking on the Vegas Strip was put on hold when business was slow in Las Vegas. That didn’t last very long as Caesars was the first casino operator to bring back paid parking just five months after hitting the pause button.

Parking fees started to return in October at Caesars properties in Las Vegas for visitors without a local ID. The company decided to soften the blow by donating the revenue to charity. Caesars donated $3.1 million to non-profit organizations throughout southern Nevada.

MGM Resorts is starting to charge for parking as hotel occupancy continues to trend upward. Most recently, Cosmopolitan announced it was bringing back its paid parking program. Let’s take a look at the paid parking policies that will be implemented by June 1 on the Vegas Strip.

Caesars parking fees

Parking fees don’t apply to everyone visiting a Caesars Las Vegas casino. Self-parking is free for locals with a valid Nevada driver’s license. Hotel guests and Caesars Rewards members at the Diamond, Platinum, and Seven Stars levels also receive free self-parking.

Self-parking fees for others are as follows at Bally’s, The Cromwell, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Paris Las Vegas, The Linq:

• 1st hour: free
• 1 – 4 hours: $12
• 4 – 24 hours: $15
• Over 24 hours: $15 (per day)

There’s currently no fee to self-park at Planet Hollywood. Self-Parking at Caesars Palace is a little higher:

• 1st hour: free
• 1 – 4 hours: $15
• 4 – 24 hours: $18
• Over 24 hours: $18 (per day)

Valet parking hasn’t returned to Bally’s, Flamingo or The Linq yet. Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Paris Las Vegas, and Planet Hollywood each have a different fee for valet parking.

Caesars Rewards Diamond, Platinum, and Seven Stars members all receive complimentary valet parking.

MGM Resorts parking fees

MGM Resorts valet parking fees are currently in effect. The self-parking fees will return to Las Vegas on June 1. Unlike Caesars, not all self-parking will be free for Nevada residents. There’s a three-hour limit on complimentary parking for locals.

Self-parking is complimentary for Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and NOIR M life Rewards members. Those with an M Life Rewards Mastercard can upgrade their M Life Rewards tier level to Pearl so they can receive complimentary self-parking fees.

MGM Resorts self-parking fees are broken into two categories at MGM Resorts properties. Self-parking fees at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, Mirage, New York‑New York, Luxor, and Excalibur are:

• 0 to 60 minutes: No charge
• Over 1 to 4 hours: $12
• Over 4 to 24 hours: $15
• Greater than 24 hours and each additional day: $15

Parking rates may vary depending on event parking for T-Mobile Arena. Aria and Bellagio charge slightly more for self-parking:

• 0 to 60 minutes: No charge
• Over 1 to 4 hours: $15
• Over 4 to 24 hours: $18
• Greater than 24 hours and each additional day: $18

Valet parking is currently available at Aria, Vdara, Bellagio, and MGM Grand. Valet parking is available at all MGM Resorts properties for a fee starting June 1. There are a few exceptions for valet parking fees. Gold, Platinum, and Noir M life Rewards Members receive complimentary valet parking.

Cosmopolitan parking fees

Self-parking fees return to the Cosmopolitan on June 1 for all guests not staying at the property. Identity Rewards members at the Sterling tier or better also receive complimentary self-parking.

Similar to MGM Resorts, Nevada residents can self-park without a charge for less than three hours. The current self-parking fees are:

• 0-1 hour: Complimentary
• 1-4 hours: $10
• 4-24 hours: $15
• 24+ hours: $15 per day

Valet parking is currently available at Cosmopolitan. Hotel guests along with Gold and Platinum Identity Rewards members receive complimentary valet. Everyone else will pay for valet parking.

Parking fees may be different during special events at the Cosmopolitan or elsewhere on the Vegas Strip.