Question of the Day - 16 January 2013

To get to the bottom of this, we performed one of our famous Question of the Day call-arounds, and were surprised -- in some instances shocked! -- by our findings.

We contacted the front desk at several Caesars Entertainment properties to get the lowdown on early check-in fees and found that each hotel we spoke to had a different policy, although standard check-in time was consistent at 4 p.m. Here are some property-specific charges, however:

• Bally's: This was the most accommodating of the group that we spoke with, informing us that if you wish to check in to your room before noon, a fee of $15 (plus tax) will apply (assuming the previous occupant has vacated -- if not, it's not an option, obviously). From noon to 3 p.m. there's a $10 fee, but if you upgrade from a regular room to a suite, those fees are waived (that applied at some other places we spoke with, too, so check when you book if you're considering that option). When it comes to late check-out, which is officially at 11 a.m. at Bally's, if your room's not booked by someone else then they'll give you an hour's grace complimentary; after that, you'll be able to keep the room until 4 p.m., if available, but a half-day's charge, at whatever the going room-rate is, will apply.

• Caesars Palace: Prior to noon, a $30 fee applies for early check-in; from noon to 4 p.m., it's $25.

• The Quad: You might imagine that the former Imperial Palace would have lower fees than Caesars Palace. Au contraire! Want access to your room anytime from noon to 3 p.m.? That will cost you an extra $50, while it's still $20 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Flamingo: Check-in is not permitted prior to noon; from midday to 4 p.m., there's a $50 fee.

• Paris: Depending on availability, you may check in before noon for $25; from noon to 3 p.m., it's $15 (they cut some slack and don't charge a fee from 3-4 p.m., as long as your room's available).

It's not just Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas, either. We called Caesars Atlantic City and were told that an early check-in fee applies on any weekend, while on weekdays it depends on available inventory. The fees range from $25 to $50, depending on prevailing occupancy rates (they were pretty vague and we couldn't pin them down to specifics). If you want late check-out, which is officially at noon, it will cost you another $50.

As to the second part of your question, MGM Mirage Resorts does seem to be somewhat more flexible and accommodating (although, as noted by this questioner, they get you with those mandatory resort fees, which vary from property to property).

A call placed to the Mirage, for example, (where the nightly resort fee is $28, but includes more amenities than many) informed us that if you book online and select the early check-in option, then an automatic $30 fee applies; however if you don't specify that option when booking, then subsequently decide you need it and call 24 hours in advance of your arrival, they will waive the fee. Huh? We guess the moral here is to not book an early check-in unless you absolutely have to, and then wing it and hope for a freebie. Check-out is officially at 11 a.m., but the hotel will normally give you an extension until noon, gratis; thereafter, the fee depends on occupancy levels, but it'll likely be in the region of $30. Guests are advised to call in advance if they know they need a late check-out, since the rate can vary from day to day, depending on how busy the hotel is.

Calls to Red Rock Resort and Hooters, both of which also charge a resort fee, allow for complimentary early check-in, inventory permitting (official arrival time is 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively). The Cosmopolitan, however, is even more accommodating: Official check-in time is anytime between 3 and 6 p.m., but if you arrive prior to that and your room is available, you may check-in early with no fee. Check-out is officially at 11 a.m., but they'll normally extend that until noon for no charge, so long as they have available inventory. Thereafter, you get into the half-day-rate scenario, but that again depends upon how busy the hotel is. On top of this, the hotel does not charge a resort fee**. [See ADDENDUM in "Update"]

So, if you think you may require early check-in, we definitely advise checking with the hotel front desk before you make a booking, or you might get stuck with an unexpectedly hefty fee. As far as late check-out is concerned, policies seem to be more flexible, but fees will likely still be incurred. If you don't require the room, but simply need somewhere to store your bags prior to departure while you take one more shot at the tables, you should be able to leave them with your hotel bell desk free of charge (aside from a toke).

It was today announced that the Palms has introduced a complimentary 24-hour checkout option for guests of its Premier, Superior, and Ivory suites, when booked online at Palms.com: Checking in at 8 p.m.? Keep your room until 8 p.m. on day of checkout. Sweet! 01/30/2013: Coincidentally, the social media person at Aria tweeted today about their policy of no early check-in fees, so it's not resort-wide for MRI -- check with individual hotels. And bravo to Aria! @AriaLV "Arriving in #Vegas early? Not a problem. Check in at the Front Desk & if your room is ready, it is all yours. No hassle, no extra fees." 01/16/2013 **ADDENDUM**: Thanks to the reader who pointed out that Cosmopolitan now has a resort fee. We called to check and it was confirmed that a $25/night resort fee was introduced as of Jan. 1, 2013. The fee covers Internet, gym access, tennis court access, and local/long distance domestic/800 calls. Previously, there was no fee, but Internet was $15 for 24 hrs, gym access was $20, and you paid for all calls. Also note, as some readers have written in to point out, that if you're a Total Rewards Diamond Level player, then all these fees will likely be waived, just as they will if you choose to upgrade your room. We got the distinct impression from some of the front-desk staff that we spoke with that there's some element of discretion involved, and if the hotel isn't busy, or you're particularly friendly, or you just catch someone in a good mood, or slip them a nice tip, then fees may be waived, but what we quote in today's answer is the official policy for the properties listed. Other readers have written in asking about the policy with comped rooms, or suggesting that off-Strip properties don't charge the same exorbitant fees as the Strip, to which we respond that we receive regular complaints from readers who've been told their room was comped, only to be hit with unexpected resort fees at check-out. In most instances, kicking up a fuss will get them waived, but who needs the hassle, especially at the end of your vacation? So check with your host to make sure everything is being comped, so you're not hit with a nasty surprise. As to off-Strip hotels and resort fees, you'll still find that many "locals" casinos charge them, including all the Station and Boyd properties. While the latter tend to be nominal, in the $3-$4 range, Stations fees are higher, with Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock charging the same as Wynn and MGM Grand, and surpassing the fee at Mandarin Oriental. Again, check the fine print when booking online (it may be really small and obscure, but the hotel is obliged to list the fee somewhere), or call the front desk before you book.