Is it worth asking to have the parking fee waived at a Strip hotel upon check-in? Do the hotels even have that option?
It never hurts to ask, we suppose; the worst that can happen is you're told no.
Which is the most likely outcome, we reckon. We doubt that front-desk personnel have the authority (or, perhaps, the technology) to do so, or that a hotel will simply waive your parking fee just for the heck of it, as that would defeat the entire purpose (read: naked money grab) of the levy.
That said, under a few circumstances you can park for free. At the Cosmopolitan, Sterling members (4,000 points) or higher in the players club get comped parking.
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore make no exceptions. For anyone. Ever. Officially, anyway. Actually, there is one waiver: If you rent a car at Wynncore, you get a one-time free exit from the parking garage. Also, if you’re a big enough player and ask your casino host, he or she might be able to do something about your parking fees, or so a casino source tells us.
Caesars Entertainment gives you one free hour (except at the Rio, where parking is still free all the time). If you’re a Platinum, Diamond, or Seven Stars member (or hold a Platinum-level Visa card), your parking is comped, accessed through your Total Rewards card. This also applies to valet parking.
MGM Resorts International, which got the whole pay-for-parking ball rolling, has a similar policy. M Life members earn free-parking privileges when they achieve Pearl status. If you get up to Gold status, your valet parking is comped. Those customers who qualify for the M Life credit card are automatically elevated to the Pearl tier and get the free parking that goes with it. Active members of the military, veterans, and spouses of servicemen and women are automatically enrolled at Pearl level, meaning they get free parking for having served their country.
The bottom line seems to be that you can get free parking … but the casinos generally want you to earn it.
