Whether you’re planning to stay in Vegas for a weekend, a week, or even a month, there are several ways to avoid the resort fees. Some of these include cross-checking pricing options, earning Hyatt Globalist membership, and claiming a refund of the fee after the fact.
Earning Hyatt Globalist membership
Whether you’re traveling to Las Vegas for business or pleasure, racking up elite status in a hotel loyalty program can save you money. Obtaining and maintaining Globalist status with Hyatt will give you access to benefits like complimentary breakfast, suite upgrades and late check-out. Depending on your status level, you may also enjoy free valet parking and show tickets.
To earn Globalist status, you must make 60 nights of stays at Hyatt properties. For each additional night, you will receive incremental benefits. For example, after you earn Globalist status for the first time, you will get four suite upgrades. You will also get a yearly suite upgrade if you stay for more than 100 nights.
To maintain Globalist status, you must plan at least 20 eligible meetings, stay at least 60 nights per year, and have a Hyatt basic membership. This can be done easily online in less than two minutes.
You can also earn World of Hyatt elite status faster if you have AAdvantage Platinum or Executive Platinum status. The benefits of these two levels include a 20% bonus on base points and a 10% bonus at the Discoverist level.
To earn Hyatt Globalist status, you must have a basic Hyatt membership, stay at Hyatt hotels for at least 60 nights, and have at least five free credits. You can obtain these credits through a variety of sources, including earning a Hyatt credit card or a co-branded credit card.
In addition to the World of Hyatt benefits, Globalists can take advantage of the Guest of Honor program. This program is perfect for special occasions, but you must remain at a Hyatt property worldwide. This program makes guests feel like VIPs. The program can be easily linked to your MGM Rewards account.
As a bonus, Globalist members who stay more than 60 nights at Hyatt hotels will be awarded 10,000 Hyatt Points. For a full year, you’ll also receive two complimentary United Club one-time passes. You’ll also get free breakfast and preferred member rates, as well as free parking and club access.
MGM Rewards Gold or above members can also enjoy waived resort fees. This benefit is only available when you book direct with MGM.
Total Rewards player
Whether you are planning a Las Vegas vacation, honeymoon, or Vegas-inspired staycation, getting a free night at your favorite hotel can be a challenge. But with the right tricks up your sleeve, you can enjoy a Las Vegas resort fee-free experience.
Luckily, many hotels and casinos in Las Vegas offer free night stays for hotel loyalty program members. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can ask your host, your travel agent, or your credit card company. Hopefully, they’ll be able to tell you exactly what you need to know. After all, hotel fees are a big money maker for many of these operators.
Some of the larger hotel brands may waive the fee, while smaller, independent properties may be more reticent. In general, the best time to negotiate for a free room is while you’re on the road. You should also check the fine print to see if the freebie is actually a good deal. Most hotel credit cards with automatic status come with an annual fee.
It’s also not uncommon to find the dreaded resort fee on the bill. But with a little research and some elbow grease, you can often score a free room for life! Some resorts even have special deals for those who are lucky enough to be there. If you’re a Total Rewards player, you can get a free night at many of Caesars Entertainment’s hotels and resorts. Similarly, you can also find deals at other brands, like the Hilton. You might even be able to secure a free stay at a Hyatt property, especially if you have the points.
While you’re at it, you might want to check your credit card statement to see if you’re getting a bonus for signing up for the hotel’s loyalty program. As a bonus, you might qualify for free spa treatments, breakfast, and other perks that are typically reserved for high-rollers. But be aware that some hotels charge a fee for these perks. If you’re planning on visiting Vegas for the first time, you might want to do a little homework before you go.
Cross-checking hotel pricing options
Getting resort fees waived in Las Vegas isn’t always easy, but it’s certainly possible. There are some hotels that have no resort fees at all, and there are also some that charge a small fee per person. While you may not be able to avoid resort fees entirely, you can find a room for under $30 a night, which is a good deal on a budget trip to Las Vegas.
One of the best ways to save money on hotel accommodations is to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can find deals on rooms in Las Vegas, and some of the biggest bargains are off the Strip. You can also make use of your favorite travel credit card to offset some of the cost. Several hotel and airline loyalty programs offer free or reduced resort fees for members.
If you’re looking to save on a Las Vegas vacation, don’t forget to look at the hotel’s other fees. You might be surprised at what you’re getting for your money. Many properties charge a flat rate per night, while others will charge a percentage of your total bill. This is particularly true if you’re staying in a hotel on the Strip.
Some of the more well known hotels will also provide freebies. A quick check online will show you what you’re getting for your money. If you’re going to pay for a hotel, why not get the most out of it? You should definitely consider this. It could save you hundreds of dollars.
Although resort fees are not illegal in and of themselves, some hotel and airline companies will go out of their way to conceal them from you. In some cases, they’ll even tack on a “destination fee” which is a little bit of a oxymoron. Some of the better hotel credit cards also offer perks, so take advantage of them to save on your trip.
Using your hotel’s points and miles may be the most efficient way to save money on lodging, especially if you plan to visit more than one property. You can also use your travel agent to find a package deal that includes a room and airfare.
Refunding the charge after the fact
Almost all hotels on the Las Vegas Strip charge resort fees. If you want to get the resort fee waived, you can either ask the front desk to remove the fee, or you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.
Resort fees are a common marketing tactic. In fact, Consumer Reports found that 34% of people have been charged a hidden fee at a hotel. They aren’t included in the advertised room rate, and they can be found in both hotels and motels. You can find these fees on a hotel’s website or in the booking process.
You can dispute a resort fee if you have documentation supporting your request. You may also be able to file a complaint with the Attorney General. However, you may not be able to get a refund if you have to spend time filing a complaint. If you do not want to spend time pursuing a refund, you can opt to file a small claims lawsuit.
Many states have started to investigate resort fees, including California, Nebraska, and Washington DC. There is also pending legislation that could phase them out. But the only way to really fix the resort fee standoff is through legislative action.
In fact, the American Hotel and Lodging Association says that resort fees are not an exchange of services, but they are a payment for a variety of hotel amenities. If the government ends resort fees, the true price for a hotel stay would be based on proper hotel occupancy taxes, which would be collected by local governments.
In the meantime, if you are looking to avoid resort fees, you can shop around. Some hotels do not charge resort fees, but their prices can still be very high. You should also avoid the Strip in Las Vegas. You can also check if the resort fee is listed on the hotel’s website.
You should also try to be flexible about your vacation. If you can’t afford the resort fee, you might be able to get the fee waived if you can explain the reason for your request.