1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Why charge tourist and not locals for parking?

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by paulista1950, Apr 19, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. paulista1950

    paulista1950 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2014
    Messages:
    68
    Location:
    Brazil
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    What's the rationale behind charging tourist for parking and not locals? If anything it should be the other way around. Visitor will park only to gamble, eat, drink and for short periods. Local may park to go to work, to a doctor, to go to school etc
    Does anyone have an explanation?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 19, 2017
  2. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,300
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Few locals would park on a strip casino to do any of the things you suggest, except if they work at the casino, and then their parking is covered by their employer.
     
  3. makuk

    makuk Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2012
    Messages:
    401
    Location:
    UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    9
    ...........because tourists have to park, if I owned a strip casino I would have charged for parking years ago!
     
  4. burdog

    burdog Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2007
    Messages:
    451
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    $$$$ Can't speak for locals but as a tourist I think of it like this. If I want to stay on the strip then in essence they have me by the man parts. Large resort fees, parking fees, poorer gambling odds. And when they have you by those, they are going to squeeze--HARD. Having said that my DW and I still stay on the strip strictly because we like it, so we know what we are getting in to.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    1,524
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    Lots of locals do not go to the strip.. They have their off strip local casinos. so the strip has to do something to appeal to them as well.. many restaurants and even the High Roller ride at the linq have deals for locals.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I agree with most of the posters. Lots more tourists willing to pay outrageous parking fees (and resort fees), while the locals won't and will take their business elsewhere. Locals do not have to go to the doctor or school, etc on the strip where they have to pay for parking. And while there are some office buildings and places that charge for parking there are lots of free parking around vegas (except for the strip).

    This is just the power of the almighty dollar, while tourists may complain about the parking fees there are still a lot of them that are willing to pay the fee. Not as much the locals, they can always avoid the strip and parking fees and play off strip without having to pay for parking.
     
  7. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2003
    Messages:
    29,784
    Location:
    A nice place
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    Fees are part of travel. Short of folks giving up travel, fees will remain a part of travel. They are not unique to Vegas. They are no more or less outrageous in Vegas than other visitor-loved locations. Capitalism.

    (And visitors also are helping pay so the Billionaire Boys Club -- the NFL -- can flee Oakland for Vegas.)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2010
    Messages:
    6,477
    Location:
    Chicago South Suburbs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    Locals are paying for parking now, at least at MGM (haven't checked CET rules). But your perspective is correct - part of the rationale for charging for parking was abuse by locals yet initially tourists were charged. The whole fee debacle would have gone over better if the execs hadn't talked out of both sides of the mouths trying to justify it.
     
  9. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    23,218
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Locals already do not like to do the strip. Tourists do.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  10. paulista1950

    paulista1950 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2014
    Messages:
    68
    Location:
    Brazil
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Thanks for the replies, they were clarifying
     
  11. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    Messages:
    8,341
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    you can shear a sheep many times but skin it only once. Locals get sheared, tourists are skinned. Feck 'em where they stand, they'll be back in a couple months anyway.
     
  12. in4mation808

    in4mation808 VMB VIP Expert Picture Taker

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2015
    Messages:
    637
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    I know Vegas is............Vegas. And shouldn't really be compared with other cities. But, with that said, while planning something in San Diego, I noticed that parking for one hotel in particular, was $35 a night. $35! I'm sure there are places in downtown Los Angeles that would be similar. I know, I know, Los Angeles and San Diego is no Las Vegas. Yes. But Vegas parking is "cheap" when you look at it that way.

    If anything, if you are staying in the hotel, then parking should be free. Everyone else, pay for parking.

    Of course, I'm in no way approving anything.................free is always cool with me.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  13. Cardeater

    Cardeater Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2016
    Messages:
    478
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I used the parking machine at Vegas Harrah's for first time today. It instructs locals to scan their license for 24 hours parking.

    TR members play and above scan their card for free parking instead of getting the pay ticket.
     
  14. IxAccDnf

    IxAccDnf VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    1,748
    Location:
    Chicago
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    85
    I went to Vegas in February-no strip

    Went again and just arrived home today--went to MGM and parked for free at Tropicana

    Once that free parking @ Tropicana goes away my strip days are over
     
  15. abraxis

    abraxis Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    448
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    Tourists are much more price elastic
     
  16. AudreyTenorio

    AudreyTenorio Newbie

    Joined:
    May 3, 2017
    Messages:
    1
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    But have to treat the tourist in a good way.
     
  17. La$Vega$

    La$Vega$ Fun until cops show up, then we play Hide n' Seek!

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    Messages:
    775
    Location:
    CA-FL-NJ-NC-SC-IL-IN-OH-KN-TN-WI-TX-AZ
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    42
    3/28/17
    If you play enough, your self/valet parking is usually always comped or validated, find a host or talk to the pit if you are at a table.
    DT I self parked at GN twice, both validated by pit. EX self parked and comped by host
    W/E, CC self parking was n/c (granted it's down the strip)
     
  18. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    No, not really, that's why they have resort fees and keep raising them up. The tourists are more likely to not let things like parking fees and resort fees bother them as much as the locals.
     
  19. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35

    Most downtown casinos will validate or reimburse your parking if you put in enough play or eat at their restaurants. At the Boyd properties (at least at the Cal and maybe at MSS) they will collect the parking money upfront and you will have to go to the player's card booth to get reimbursed based on your play. Not sure about the other casinos downtown how they handle the parking, whether they collect upfront or when you leave. also not sure about the valet since I never use them.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.