[Independentthinking]

Originally Posted by robr2

Many of the luxury hotels do. It's typically $20 a day on top of a $50 parking charge and a $500+ hotel rate. For that $20 you get a free water bottle in your room and wi-fi - no pool, maybe a day pass at a local health club.

Interesting. I can only say for myself, that I've never paid any type of resort free for a nice hotel away from Vegas.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by Independentthinking

Interesting. I can only say for myself, that I've never paid any type of resort free for a nice hotel away from Vegas.

It's happening more and more. If they can get it, they will. Even Disney charges a resort fee at their better hotels (Swan/Dolphin.)

[SportyandMisty]

The valet parking at The Forum Shops is now charging. All three -- the one by Joe's Seafood, near The Palm, and the VIP in the back. They had to do so because they were inundated with people once Caesar's started charging.

[Independentthinking]

Originally Posted by robr2

It's happening more and more. If they can get it, they will. Even Disney charges a resort fee at their better hotels (Swan/Dolphin.)

I'd say that's much more of an exception, rather than a rule. I've had many trips at very nice hotels outside of Las Vegas and never paid a resort fee at any of them.

[esas]

Met some family in town at Excalibur on Saturday night for dinner...it was good to see the casino packed with people. Parking was $8 for the 2 hours which I don't mind. What bothered me was the lack of payment stations in the garage, and one lane open to leave and pay (for those that couldn't find inside kiosk). We waited almost 20 minutes for the 3 cars in front of us to figure out how to pay...not good for elderly and drunk drivers.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Independentthinking

Interesting. I can only say for myself, that I've never paid any type of resort free for a nice hotel away from Vegas.

Last summer we stayed at a resort in Phoenix that had a daily resort fee. It's more common than you might realize.

[BBMW]

^
The hotel industry is seeing what's happened in Vegas, and is emulating it. Same as Vegas is emulating what hotels in other cities have done with charging for parking.

[ginmqi]

Ugh, it is annoying. Going to Bellagio next month and am slightly annoyed at the $15/day self park fee. But as someone mentioned...I'm using my Chase UR points and so the cost is substantially subsidized and not as big of a deal.

Maybe they know that Vegas visitors are increasing and they are able to get away. Parking fees probably generate millions for hotels each year and they probably don't see any drop in visits to Vegas so why not.

Of course the other thing is I'm always going to try the $20-$50 trick at check-in. This I think is one of the best gamble you can bet on in Vegas and while I've only done this twice and had one confirmed success and one semi success but both were for rooms. Other people have reported great upgrades such as waived resort fees or free buffet passes....

[BBMW]

I can safely say ghat the only reason the "$20" trick works, if it does, is because management knows about it and condones it. If a little surprised they haven't figured out how to capture that as revenue for the property.

[ginmqi]

Originally Posted by BBMW

I can safely say ghat the only reason the "$20" trick works, if it does, is because management knows about it and condones it. If a little surprised they haven't figured out how to capture that as revenue for the property.

You know I've been thinking about this trick and it is for sure known to the upper management. I've read and experienced check-in agents where they have the bill in plain sight right on top of the counter for the world to see.

One reason I think it is still allowed is because: customer satisfaction/loyalty and a sense that the hotel is really taking care of them and would have repeat business.

I am actually my own data point on this. I tried this trick at Venetian and it was barely an upgrade (got just a higher floor, partial strip view) and then I did it at Bellagio and got a very nice upgrade from a standard King to a Bellagio Suite (albeit no fountain view) and guess where my GF and I are going again next month....Bellagio. The experience was so great last time we went with them again. And Bellagio is getting a lot of our money this time lol given the room we booked is a Fountain View King.

Trying to imagine myself being in a hotel manager's shoes....if that night has no other reservations for that room and there's no other conflicts...and it probably doesn't cost them that much more in water/toiletries/maid to turnover that room for 1-3+ nights....they are ok with upgrades to keep the customers very happy and likely to return and give a good impression on that hotel.

Obviously there's limits. No way would Joe Schmoe and $20 gonna get him into the Presidential Suite. So at least that's my theory.

Plus this is probably an open secret to those who work in Vegas and those check-in agents are likely to be attracted to hotels that are ok with this (which is pretty much all of them it seems) and maybe also can keep up work force morale....