Free Parking Ending at Two More Las Vegas Strip Resorts

Posted on: July 18, 2023, 07:45h. 

Last updated on: July 18, 2023, 12:06h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Free parking on the Las Vegas Strip will soon become even more difficult to find. That’s after two centrally-located casino resorts announced plans this week to end free self-parking.

Las Vegas parking Venetian Palazzo valet
The entrance to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas parking garage. Beginning later this summer, the Las Vegas Strip casino complex will start charging most guests for self-parking and valet. (Image: TripAdvisor)

When they were first opened by Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas Sands-owned Venetian and Palazzo pledged to always offer complimentary parking. That commitment endured as Sands competitors, mainly MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, started the unwelcomed trend of doing away with complimentary self-parking beginning in 2016.

Adelson died in January 2021. Just two months later — under the leadership of Adelson’s longtime right-hand man and his eventual successor, current Chairman and CEO Rob Goldstein — Sands made the surprising decision to unload the company’s two Strip casino resorts.

Sands sold its only two U.S. casinos and Venetian Expo to Vici Properties and Apollo Global Management for $6.25 billion. Vici is the landlord and bought the facilities for $4 billion. Apollo secured the operating rights and Sands staff for $2.25 billion.

Apollo retained Sands’ local workforce and has since kept similar operations intact. But this week, the private equity giant announced it will soon install fees for self-parking at the Strip properties.

Summer Blues

The Venetian and Palazzo casino resorts operate collectively as The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. On the property website, the ownership announced that come summer, free self-parking will be a thing of the past for many guests.

Self-parking is currently provided as a courtesy to all of our guests of The Venetian and The Palazzo. Later this summer, paid self-parking will be in effect at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for both hotel guests and visitors.

The casino said Grazie Rewards members at the Premier tier and above will continue to receive complimentary self-parking. Rewards members at the Elite and above levels will aso continue to receive  free self-parking and valet services.

Valet currently costs $35 a day. The Venetian Resort didn’t specify rates for self-parking come summer, nor a specific date as to when such charges might take effect.

The Grazie Rewards program incentivizes players with tier points based on their average bet, duration of play, and whether they play slots or table games. Hotel guests earn three tier points for every $1 paid for their nightly rooms, resort fees, and upgrades. One tier point is also awarded for every dollar spent on dining, entertainment, spa services, and retail purchases.

Grazie points reset every March. To reach the Grazie Premier level, a rewards member must accumulate 1,000 tier points. For free valet service, a rewards member must accrue at least 10K points.

Free Parking Becoming a Rarity

 Until 2016, complimentary self-parking and valet were a staple of the Strip for decades.  Guests of all income levels and rewards statuses were given the perk of driving up to their Strip casino of choice and feeling like a high roller by having their car valet parked.

Today, free valet on the Strip is no more, and free self-parking is becoming harder to find. When The Venetian strips away free self-parking, such complimentary casino parking will be limited to Wynn and Encore, Treasure Island, Sahara, Circus Circus, and Tropicana.

Free self-parking also remains available at the Fashion Show Mall, the Shoppes at Mandalay Palace, and Aria’s Shops at Crystal.