MGM Parking update

"Loyalty Marketing"......... that's a good one.


How in the hell can they call it that when it pisses off so many people???

Ray

count me in on the boycott, I will support it. of course, I don't visit the strip much anyway. and comparing the parking fees to other major cities is pointless. Vegas is different in so many ways. we traditionalists expect "free" things as we willingly "donate" our money generously once inside the casino. if one casino is charging for parking and the one across the street is not, well ... it will be a no-brainer for me.

No matter what they say and how they word it , this asinine gouging is bull. I hope that their revenue stream suffers and this hurts their bottom line. Needless to say, I will not subject myself to being ripped off.

Kiss the Bellagio and aria poker rooms goodbye.

"Loyalty Marketing" occurs when you patronize (gamble at) a property and earn more benefits at that property. I am a frequent MRI player right now, and I'm damn glad that I get to park there for free (if I ever drove a car), but I've paid for it already. Comp rooms, food and beverage, show tickets, priority lines/lounges/clubs...they aren't giving away anything, we pay for them when we gamble at their joints. They create the comps and perks to ease our pain and make us feel loved while we build their buildings, pay for upkeep, pay for the lovely fountains and statues and lovely pools (free at this time...will that be next?) and concert venues, for clean towels and maid service every day, for extra coin to offset expenses, for "free" buffet meals, on and on.

Do people get pissed standing in a long line as Diamond and 7 Stars players walk right in? Sure, but that is the reality.
Those players have paid for the privilege through their gambling, though it is for sure good to get something back for it.

Now the big guy (MRI) adds parking fees, but they are giving "loyal" players some slack. If it is profitable for MRI, CET and the others will follow and probably establish preferred rates for their "loyal" players.

Economics, market driven. Whatever the traffic (no pun intended) will bear.

CET should immediately start advertising "Never a Parking Fee!". Just like they used to advertise 'No Resort Fees' before they realized their customers were demanding resort fees.

So this means all of MGM's neighbors are going to have their garages filled with the resulting overflow - unless they charge for parking too. You can bet they'll be watching the results of this little experiment.
In the interest of seeing it fail I plan on doing my part and avoid the MGM properties (which I largely do anyway except for shows and the occasional food excursion).

I absolutely cant believe they are charging hotel guests a parking fee on top of the resort fee. That's so "over-the-top" greedy its funny.

Just a note - The Tropicana has a humungous outdoor lot that's never more than half full. There's your go-to spot if you need to park by MGM Grand.

In 20 or 30 years will Las Vegas become Atlantic City part Deux? Where are they heading? Do they just want me to stay home and gamble at my local casino?

I would think valets are going to hate it. By the way, existing valets at MGM Grand Properties, may soon be out of a job, because they hired a company to handle parking and valet operations.

You are going to get part of the public that is just outright ignorant. They will be surprised by the parking charges, but will probably assume that it is now happening at all of the hotels. You will get another group who already have reservations (including for weddings, conventions, special occasions, etc.) who do not want to move their reservation and will keep it at the MGM hotel. As time passes I hope that these people do not rebook at the MGM Grand. I'd be furious if I was paying a lease for a restaurant or shop at one of the MGM properties.

I used to go to Las Vegas four times a year. When Biloxi legalized gambling my Vegas trips tapered off. My last trip to Las Vegas was in April of 2012. Quite frankly I don't miss it a bit. We were never big on shows we just liked the gambling, eating and drinking. It used to be a blue collar guy (fire captain) could go to Las Vegas and even if he lost he could go back home and tell all his friends what a great time he had because Vegas was well it was Vegas baby. Not anymore, bums everywhere, lousy blackjack and video poker when it comes to low rollers like me and quite frankly I can get the same conditions at a casino 20 minutes from my house or better yet Carnival Cruise Lines gave me four comped cruises last year. My level of play doesn't get me squat in Las Vegas these days. Like I said I don't miss it a bit. I wouldn't be surprised if Vegas wound up like Atlantic City as someone mentioned above.