How Can I Get a Casino/Hotel to Drop the Resort Fee?

How can I get a casino/hotel to drop the resort fee?

Well, you can try and here a few ideas from industry experts.

First, you have to recognize a "resort fee" (a.k.a. destination fee, city fee, etc.) when you see one. Most hotels now break out the fee from the taxes, but you still have to stay alert to resort fees masquerading as other extra charges.

A good way to have the resort fee waived is with a room comp. Most hotel-casinos don't charge resort fees on comps, though some do. Again, read the fine print. Also, the highest-tier members in players club usually have extra fees (resort and parking) removed, even if they're not on a comp.

Similarly, a number of non-casino loyalty programs forgive the resort fee when you book your stay using points only (when you pay a portion with points and the rest with cash, fees can show up).

If you're a player and have a host, you might see if he or she can drop the fee on your way out. Some have the authority to do so.

If you're staying for several nights and can pay online for only the first night, then settle up the rest of your charges when you check out, you can simply refuse to pay. The front desk clerk probably doesn't have the authority, but a manager usually does. If you can mount a good enough argument (and make a scene in front of other guests), a manager might relent to shut you up. It takes some chutzpah, a strong reason (such as you didn't use any of the amenities the resort fee supposedly covers), and extra time, but if you've got all three, it's worth a try.

We've also heard of guests disputing the resort fees with their credit card companies. If you have good evidence that there's some question about the fee (it's hidden among the taxes, etc., or the website advertises "free wifi" and the resort fee includes paying for wifi, for example), you can provide the documentation and, perhaps, get a refund.

Of course, the best way not pay resort fees is to stay at a hotel-casino that doesn't charge them, such as Binion's and the Four Queens downtown and Casino Royale on the Strip. The Cosmopolitan and a few others sometimes offer promotions advertising no resort fees. A number of other Las Vegas hotels don't charge, such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and La Quinta, but none of them have casinos.

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Comments

Kevin Lewis Jan-11-2022

No problem

Sure, you can get them to drop the resort fee. It's like taking candy from a gorilla.

Donald P Jaspan Jan-11-2022

resort fees

Caesars diamond members do not pay a resort fee

[email protected] Jan-11-2022

Room Offers

I always go to Las Vegas on room offers, and I've never been charged a resort fee.  Even though I usually stay an extra day or two at casino rate, I've never been charged a fee for those days, either.  Note that the offer always says that the resort fee is optional, so reading the "fine print" makes sense.  For people who actually use the amenities covered by the fee, it actually can be cheaper to pay the fee than to pay a-la-carte.

It's funny with all the moaning about resort fees on this site that Las Vegas is the only resort destination I've ever gone to where I haven't had to pay resort fees!  Plus those other resort locations usually have required valet parking, with a very steep fee for that as well.

rokgpsman Jan-11-2022

Honest evaluation of perks

Customers with high enough player's card status that they get the resort fee waived ARE paying the resort fee indirectly with their large amount of slot play or other gambling. Casinos give nothing for free. If you're playing just to maintain your high tier in the player's club you're doing exactly what the casino wants and losing enough that the casino is happy to waive the resort fee. That's ok if you're aware of how this works, but don't fool yourself or tell others the casino is GIVING you freebies - it isn't. You've prepaid for it with your past play. Stop playing and see how fast your status and freebies go away.

Lotel Jan-11-2022

no comps for me

In the past I could get a couple nights comped at a few places . this year I am seeing they only offer me  a reduced rate if anything   They are getting tight in Vegas. may be awhile before I go back.

jay Jan-11-2022

Credit Card

Caesars basic tier is Gold, followed by Platinum and then 3 levels of diamond. If you get the Caesars Credit card you automatically get Platinum with 10,000 tier points, the only caveat is you need to make 1 purchase within 90 days - ie fill your car with gas. You need 15,000 to get to Diamond which means you need to spend another 5k on the credit card. With Diamond and above they waive resort fees. 

Most of the other casinos MGM, Wynn, Station have their own tier system and many match top tier membership. So if your Diamond with Caesars you can perhaps parlay that into Diamond with Wynn or the others. 

The balancing act is if its worth it. On a dollar for dollar basis - there are a number of "no fee" credit cards that give 3% cash back. $5000 spend = $150 so that would typically cover 3 nights worth of resort fees. On a broader basis a diamond card gets you past the buffet wait, priority access to the clubs, and other intangible perks. Perhaps get you mailers with free nights.

Luis Jan-11-2022

No resort Fee

I wish they would just stop bleeding so greedy, It's shameful how they gauge their customers, and how we just accept it like it's a for real fee it's not, it's invented, it's just another way they found to over-charge, just stop it.

steve crouse Jan-11-2022

Simple!

The simplest way to not pat resort fees is to stay home.

steve crouse Jan-11-2022

Simple!

The simplest way to not pay resort fees is to stay home.

Ray Jan-11-2022

So, the short answer

The somewhat long-winded answer really just says, 1) Be a big player, 2) Be a jerk, or 3) Don't stay there.

David Sabo Jan-11-2022

NO MENTION OF VIRGIN

Virgin AKA the old Hard Rock on Paradise and Harmon doesn't charge resort fees or parking fees. I'm surprised they haven't been mentioned. Yes the location is off the strip but easy to access if you rent a car.

pfblas Jan-11-2022

Resort fees

Starting next month MGM Rewards members Gold and up don't pay a resort fee. There's a long list of loyalty programs they will match tiers with. Among them is Caesars Diamond to MGM Gold. 

See https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/tier-match.html

Offer good through January 31, 2022. At least for now. When M Life changes to MGM Rewards things may change.

[email protected] Jan-11-2022

FoundersCard=Diamond

https://founderscard.com/membership?code=FCGEORGE352

VegasROX Jan-11-2022

Founders Club

So, George, what does Founders Club pass along to you, or to anyone who joins, if we use your personal promotion code??  Is it worth it to either of us?

David Sabo Jan-16-2022

VIRGIN UPDATE

As of January 19 Virgin will charge $45/day resort fee

Question of the Day - 11 January 2022

Comments