MGM Resorts to Increase Resort Fees 3/2/17

The dog and I are not amused.

 

This is getting out of hand...

 

Complain all you want but, remember, that daily fee includes notary service. I can't tell you the number of times I'm playing VP at the bar, enjoying my complimentary 3/4 ounce pour of Tito's, and think "crap! what is this pile of documents I need notarized going to cost!" I then remember I'm staying at an MLife resort, and that I enjoy complimentary notary service. I then remove my Platinum MLife card from the machine, also secure in the knowledge that I enjoy priority cabana access.

 

LOL!

 

why not let the people (gamblers) have fun. MGM is gonna get the money anyway. instead of the greedy resort fees, at least let them run it through a slot machine for a while and maybe get a free drink and have fun and hope for a jackpot.

 

$40 a night in hidden fees at City Center properties is highway robbery.

 

Speaking of hand, I know a lot of people willing to display a certain finger about the situation!

What's next? Perhaps "virtual" resort fees to "visit" the properties on myVegas?
Oh, crap...I may have just given them an idea!

RICHARD

 

You can shear a sheep many times, but skin him only once. The suits answer to Wall Street and must abide the Profit Growth Plan, business is good, why not raise rates?

 

You're preaching to the choir, TedCheddy!
Amen!

RICHARD

 

I wonder how high the fees will go before people will no longer tolerate...

 

Once the fees go past the room rate I guess

 

nope, that didn't work. that was / is still happening at the D and GG downtown. the room rate is sometimes $17-$19 a night with a $20 per night resort fee.

 

Does this only seem ridiculous because we dont use the amenities that the resort fee covers? Would we be just as outraged if rates were to go up instead? Personally when I book a room, I add up all the fees to understand what my rate really will be. If the room is $60 (including tax) and the resort fee is $40 then my effective rate is $100 a night. Would we be just as outraged if the hotel said the rate plus tax is $100 and no resort fee to be paid?
Things that make you say Hmmmmm.

Kind of old but interesting:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/090215/why-las-vegas-hotels-charge-resort-fees.asp

 

The amenities included are things that used to be free in the travel industry (gym), things many consumers believe should be free or at least dirt cheap (wifi) and things that are they threw in to make the fee seem valuable but are banking on no one using (notary service). So yes, it is ridiculous because we don't use most of the amenities save Wi-Fi. When will people start saying Wi-Fi+gym+local phone calls+notary service ≠ $30-40? Since the hotels made the point of breaking them out of the hotel room cost, I don't think it makes sense to evaluate the cost of room plus the fee and see if its fair. I see that I am being overcharged for the fee amenities and I go offstrip instead.

And I keep hearing people say that the hotels can't raise room rates without backlash but I can't remember a room rate increase controversy in all the time I've chatted about Vegas on the internet. Because of dynamic pricing, room rates are particularly sensitive to supply and demand. So if MGM arbitrarily set the room rate for it's low tier hotels at $100, I wouldn't sweat it because competition and demand for lower prices would rule out. They would have to do things like *gasp* actually make improvements to those hotels that would make a person willing to spend the money. Bellagio rates used to go up all the time pre-resort fee. The reaction from it's fans were it sucks but what they offer is worth it. Now the customer is paying more, not getting anything worthwhile in return and the market forces that would naturally protect them are negated by fees.

 

My problem is myself being spoiled. When it was dirt cheap, I took advantage of cheap rates from Southwest, Harrahs, Gold Coast, Orleans, Silverton etc, about 6 -7 times a year . Now the rates are still cheaper than NY, Chicago, LA, etc. but I'm mad about Extreme increases in Vegas. Also the dining bargains are getting less all the time. I'm going in June and will enjoy it but I think I may now only go on a special trip in the future. Some people venting about cost may be like me, spoiled that it was cheaper, more courteous, cheaper table $$$'s and more options in the past. I still love it but after about 75 ++ times. I'm almost done.

 

Thanks, Queen, for the update!

I find it amusing that just days ago CET was touted as the worst company ever over the interwebs because of the resort fee increase and impending parking, when MGM has already been charging an arm and a leg for both. I love it! I like them both, but they're equal opportunity cash grabbers in my book, so both should get the lashes. I'm still going to try and grab a room at Aria through myVegas for one night, but I'll stick to my CET room for the entire trip where I pay no resort fee. I think they are moving into ridiculous territory with $44 per night. The loot is still rolling in, though.

And Nuts, I think it is the principle of it. I personally don't care that it's not a "comped" room because of the fee. The point for me, as always, is I'm being charged for a suite of services I will not use, especially in Vegas. I don't need the local phone calls or wifi or newspaper or gym or notary or any of that nonsense. You want $15-20 per night? Sure, no probs. I don't like it, but if I'm not paying for the room...yeah. Double that? Why? Extra newspaper? Better wifi (I'm already not using)? The gym is in my room? Long distance calling? Yeah, ok. I'm not going to stop going to Vegas, but I will adjust where I stay at, and my last two trips have been 70% MLife. That's about to flip flop.

 

While I dislike seeing an increase in resort fees Vegas is still cheap to very cheap. This past weekend my son entered a Rubiks Cube competition in Dallas. We stayed at the Hilton where the competition was being held. Cost of a standard room was $189 and had a resort fee of $45. The resort fee did not include Wifi and I refused to pay by credit card when trying to log in to the Wifi. When I go to Vegas the room is either Comp or $59 to $69 for a standard room on the strip, go ahead and add $45 as resort fee and I am still on the Strip in Las Vegas Nevada for around $100 a night. Holiday Inn's / Motel 6's of the world are $70 a night. The casinos will continue to raise them until the rooms sit empty.