Of course a frugal person is going to look for ways to avoid parking fees when they visit a Vegas Strip casino. But this is not only a very complex subject but a rapidly-moving information target. I am typing fast right now to try to get this blog up online before some of the information goes out of date!
Free Self-Parking
First, here are the casinos that do not charge for self-parking – at the moment:
SLS Las Vegas
Treasure Island
The Venetian / Palazzo
Tropicana
Hooters (just off the Strip)
Circus Circus – (only MGM property that doesn’t charge for self-parking)
Stratosphere
Nearby Shopping Centers
Then, there are the shopping centers that have free parking and are in walking distance of casinos:
The garage for the Miracle Mile shops provides just a short window-shopping jaunt into Planet Hollywood.
The Fashion Show Mall, a wonderful place to spend your money before you lose it in a casino.
The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay
The Shops at Crystals
Casino Company Credit Cards
Then there is the option offered by MGM and CZR, which could save you money, depending on your financial situation and how you use credit: a company credit card with parking benefits as a perk of their players club on the higher-than-basic tier level. You need to Google the benefits and figure the pros and cons of each of these.
The one from MGM seems to be really easy and involves no cost. It’s a no-fee Mastercard credit card that gives you Pearl tier with no casino play required. And at the Pearl level you have free self-parking. I wasn’t sure how long you could remain at Pearl level after you first got the card if you didn’t play any at any MGM properties (ordinarily your tier level expires after a certain time period of no play) , but I found this VERY SMALL fine-print footnote at https://www.mlife.com/en/overview/mlife-rewards-mastercard.html : M life Rewards Tier will remain at least Pearl Status as long as your account remains open and in good standing. I haven’t researched how long this credit card remains “open” if it is not used. Perhaps one would need to charge something at least once every year or so? A personal note when I got this credit card a few months ago: I got some bonus players club points when I charged a certain amount in the first few months. (I forget the details but offered bonuses may change from time to time.)
On the other hand, the CZR credit card requires an initial purchase in the first 90 days according to the details on their Website.
https://www.totalrewards.com/content/cet-tr/en/earn-and-redeem/with-tr-alliances/tr-visa.html?rd=CET_TR_TRVISA15_PROMORAIL_HOMEPAGE . Then there are charging minimums in current calendar years thereafter:
UPGRADE TO PLATINUM STATUS6
By making your first purchase in the first 90 days. Platinum status provides you with7:
- • 15% discount at participating spas and casino gift shops
- • Preferred pricing at participating Total Rewards restaurants
- • Exclusive pre-sale access for select shows
- • Complimentary valet & self-parking
Maintain Platinum Tier status by spending $5000 in the current calendar year!
For both cards, you havtoe show/use a current players card that indicates the required tier level; you can not show the credit card.
“Free” Parking Options that will Cost You
At the higher players club tiers in most casinos, free self-parking and even free valet parking are often offered as a benefit. Check to see the requirements at your favorite casino. But I can not think of any reason to play high just to get free parking. Sometimes free can be very expensive!!!
For a list of parking fees, both for self-parking and valet, you can go to https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/parking-fees/ on this site.
All of us who are trying to keep track of this subject can’t ever absolutely guarantee our information. I will gladly welcome and encourage all comments from anyone who has very CURRENT updates – personally-verified, not I-just-read or I-heard please!
paying for parking,rising resort fees, poor paying slots,bad rules for blackjack players,
vp going downhill.Now tell me why should i go to las vegas any more?
Jean,
You mentioned in the past that Station Casinos were starting up an online gaming program similar to the My Vegas promotion offered by MGM properties, however I have not heard about when it will come to fruition and have not been able to get any information from Station casinos despite my requests. Can you bring me up to date. Thanks so much for all your invaluable information.
Bob Dena
As a person who is a part time resident (condo) in Las Vegas we avoid the strip if at all possible now that you have to pay for parking. If we do go to a show we always seek out free parking. A little walk doesn’t hurt. I have also used my points up at casinos that charge parking so I don’t have to worry about losing them if I don’t keep them current.
My wife and I parked in the Flamingo parking garage every nigh during spring break in March. No charge, no tickets, no one taking money at both?
So are they supposed to be charging there?
Stratosphere is also still free.
Thanks for this info Jean. Yes free parking is becoming as rare as good VP on the strip.I think that all strip hotels except the Circus Circus and SLS will start charging by the end of the year. If one does not mind a bit of a walk the Rio on Flamingo is still free although I would not recommend this at night. The way things are going I think the next thing to go will be free drinks. Many casinos have already installed a voucher system to cut back on comped drinks