For years now, many resorts on the Las Vegas strip have offered free parking. Some have even offered free valet parking!  It was a smart business move because so many people were either driving to Vegas, or renting a car once they got there. If they were spending so much at the casinos, restaurants and gift shops, it was a nice perk and encouraged patrons to go to those resorts to gamble, eat, shop, etc.

Of course, nothing gold can stay.

Back in July, we wrote that 2 resorts had decided to end free self-parking for most guests. And now you can add 3 more resorts to the list.

As per the Las Vegas Review Journal, Wynn Resorts, Ltd. announced on Friday that both of their properties, Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, will begin charging for parking effective September 27th.

Wynn’s official reason for the change of heart is, “the anticipated increased demand for parking at nearby attractions, and a higher volume of citywide events.”

In other words, Wynn’s properties are near the new Sphere Entertainment concert venue, appropriately called The Sphere. U2 is going to begin a Residency at Sphere on September 29th (through December 16th. Tickets start at $400), which would be 17,000 audience members per night will be looking for parking. The Sphere also offers external light shows that have become popular…and if you’re looking at a light show, you’re not gambling. So Wynn’s decided to start charging for parking at its 2 resorts, in case patrons from Sphere want or plan to park there.

To their credit, both Wynn and Encore will still offer free parking to its overnight guests. But everyone else will have to pay $20 per day for self-parking, with the first 4 hours free. Valet parking will cost $40 per day.

Also, we somehow missed it, but the Stratosphere started charging for parking back in April:

• Self parking is $6 for up to 4 hrs Monday through Thursday , and $8 Friday through Sunday
• 24 hour self parking rates are $12 Monday through Thursday  and $15 on Friday through Sunday
• Valet costs $15 Monday to Thursday, and $18 on Friday through Sunday

Where Parking is Still Free on the Strip

Fortunately, there are still several resorts on the strip that still offer free parking. Some only offer it to higher end members of their loyalty club (usually certain status or higher), some only to hotel guests, some to everyone.

And if you use a valet, don’t forget to tip them! Here’s a good tipping guide.

Free parking for loyalty program members:

Aria: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or NOIR status

Bellagio: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or NOIR status

Circus Circus: Free valet parking for Gold, Platinum, and NOIR M life Rewards Members.

Cosmopolitan: Identity and Rewards Members get complimentary self parking for Gold status or higher.

The Cromwell: Self-Parking and Valet is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

Excalibur: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

Flamingo: Self and Valet parking is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

Harrah’s: Self-Parking and Valet is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

Horseshoe (Bally’s): Self-Parking and Valet is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

The LINQ: Self-Parking is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

Luxor: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

Mandalay Bay: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

MGM Grand: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

Mirage: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

New York, New York: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

The Palazzo: Grazie Rewards Premier members and above will receive complimentary self-parking. Grazie Rewards Elite members and above will continue to receive complimentary valet parking.

Paris: Self-Parking is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

Park MGM: Free valet parking to members of MGM Rewards loyalty program that have obtained Gold, Platinum, or Noir status

Planet Hollywood: Self-Parking is complimentary for Total Rewards members with Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars status.

Resorts World: Complimentary parking available for Genting Rewards Members.

The Venetian: Grazie Rewards Premier members and above will receive complimentary self-parking. Grazie Rewards Elite members and above will continue to receive complimentary valet parking.

Free parking for hotel guests

Circus Circus: free parking only for registered guests

Cosmopolitan: free parking (including free valet) only for registered guests

Free parking for everyone:

Some resorts still allow free parking to everyone. Sometimes it’s just certain days or for certain amounts of time. We’ve listed all of the resort on the strip that offer at least some free parking, but have put in italics the ones that offer free parking all (or almost all) the time.

Bellagio: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Caesars Palace: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday.

Casino Royale: Free parking for everyone

Circus Circus: Free parking for everyone

Cosmopolitan: First hour is free daily. Motorcycles and two-wheeled vehicles are exempt from parking fees.

The Cromwell: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Excalibur: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Flamingo: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Harrah’s: First hour is free every day. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Horseshoe (Bally’s): First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

The LINQ: First hour is free every day. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Luxor: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Mandalay Bay: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

MGM Grand: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

The Mirage: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

New York New York: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Paris: First hour is free daily.

Park MGM: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Planet Hollywood: First hour is free on Monday through Thursday. NV residents get 3 hrs free parking.

Sahara: Free valet and self parking for all visitors and guests

Treasure Island: Free valet and self parking for all visitors and guests

Tropicana: Free self-parking and valet parking for all visitors and guests on days there are no major events

Happy gambling!

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