What Are Las Vegas Resort Fees & How to Skip?

Key Highlights:

Average Cost: Most Strip hotels now charge between $35 and $55 per night (plus tax). Luxury icons like Wynn, Aria, and Fontainebleau hit the top end at $55–$62.
Mandatory: These are fixed charges. You pay them even if you never touch the Wi-Fi, the gym, or the pool.
Upfront Pricing: Thanks to the FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (effective May 2025), hotels must now show you the total price—including resort fees—upfront in their advertised rates.
How to Skip Them: Stay at a “No-Fee” hotel like Best Western Plus Casino Royale or Jockey Club, or reach Gold+ status in loyalty programs like MGM Rewards.

Mandatory resort fees are the “uninvited guests” of any Las Vegas vacation. While you might see a room advertised for $50, you could easily end up paying $100 or more once these daily charges are tacked on. Understanding how they work—and which hotels are the biggest offenders—is the key to a stress-free trip.

I’ve tracked these fees as they’ve climbed from a $5 “extra” to a mandatory $50+ daily expense. As your trusted Vegas partner, I’m breaking down everything from what these fees actually cover to the secret ways you can get them waived this year.

What Do Las Vegas Resort Fees Actually Cover?

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The question I hear most often is, “What am I actually paying for?” Officially, resort fees are designed to cover amenities that were previously considered “extra.” However, in the age of smartphones, many of these “perks” feel like a stretch.

Most resort fees typically include:

High-Speed Wi-Fi: Usually for two to three devices per room.
Fitness Center Access: Entry to the basic gym (spa treatments and wet areas still cost extra).
Local & Toll-Free Calls: A relic of the past that almost nobody uses today.
Pool Access: Entry to the pool deck, though keep in mind many pools are seasonal and close during winter.
Bottled Water: Some premium spots like The Venetian or Aria include two small bottles per day as part of the fee.

The Rules: Upfront Pricing is Finally Here

For years, the biggest complaint about Vegas was the “bait and switch”—seeing a cheap room online only to get a massive bill at checkout. Thankfully, the law has finally caught up with the practice.

The FTC “Junk Fee” Rule

Effective May 12, 2025, the FTC prohibited “bait-and-switch” pricing for short-term lodging. This means if a hotel advertises a rate of $199, that price must include all mandatory fees (like the $45 resort fee). Taxes are the only major item still typically added at the final step.

Transparency is Improving

While the fees haven’t vanished, the surprise has. When you book at Caesars Palace or MGM Grand today, the total cost is clearly visible before you enter your credit card info. This makes it much easier to compare the “True Cost” of a budget pyramid room versus a luxury tower suite.

How to Get Your Resort Fees Waived

You don’t always have to pay the house. If you’re willing to play the loyalty game, you can keep that $50 a night in your pocket.

Elite Loyalty Status This is the gold standard hack. If you reach Gold Status with MGM Rewards or Diamond Status with Caesars Rewards, your resort fees are automatically waived on every stay.
- Pro Tip: You can often “status match.” If you have high-tier status with certain credit cards or other hotel lines, you can sometimes match it to MGM or Caesars to get those fees removed instantly.

Stay at “No-Fee” Hotels A small but mighty list of hotels still refuses to charge resort fees:
- Best Western Plus Casino Royale: Right in the middle of the Strip with zero fees and free parking.
- The Jockey Club: A hidden gem between the Bellagio and Cosmopolitan with no fees and full suites.
- Four Queens (Downtown): A classic Fremont Street spot that stays fee-free in the heart of Old Vegas.
- Marriott’s Grand Chateau: Just off the Strip, this non-gaming resort is a favorite for families because it has no resort fees.
Book with Points If you book your stay using World of Hyatt points (at Hyatt-partnered properties) or Hilton Honors points, resort fees are often waived as part of the award booking.

A Trusted Friend’s Final Tip

When you’re comparing hotels, always focus on the “Total Price” rather than the nightly rate. A $30 room at a budget hotel with a $45 fee is actually more expensive than a $65 room at a boutique hotel with no fee.

❓ FAQ: Las Vegas Resort Fees Explained

Can I opt-out of the fee if I don’t use the amenities?

No. In Las Vegas, resort fees are part of the room contract. The only way to avoid them is through elite status or by choosing a “no-fee” property.

Are resort fees taxed?

Yes. You will pay the Clark County room tax (roughly 13.38%) on both the room rate and the resort fee. A $45 fee actually costs closer to $51 per night after tax.

Do resort fees include parking?

Rarely. Most major Strip properties (MGM and Caesars) charge for parking separately. Expect to pay an additional $18–$25 per night for self-parking, even if you are a hotel guest.

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