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Sammi Reeves

Sammi Reeves

Sammi Reeves

Another Las Vegas Casino Stops Free Parking? Sahara Says No

Author Sammi Reeves
Yet another ticket to pull at yet another Las Vegas Casino? SAHARA Las Vegas says not so fast.

It started with MGM Resorts properties. Once they began charging for parking, it was only a matter of time until the rest of the properties followed suit. Caesars was next. The STRAT tried. Now rumors that another Las Vegas Casino stops free parking soon. The pictures from the SAHARA Las Vegas were worrisome, but the property says fear not.

Sahara Squashes Rumors They’ll Charge For Parking

It gave everyone a case of the ick on social media. Video from Jacob Orth a.k.a. @JacobsVegasLife on X/Twitter garnered over 170,000 views. It shows what looks like lanes for self-parking kiosks to pay for your parking on the way out.

@LasVegasLocally responded best. “F*ck.” A lot of reaction went from apathy because they never go to the Sahara to downright outrage.

Thankfully, SAHARA Las Vegas is putting those worries to rest.

“You may have noticed the upgrades to our parking garage at the all new SAHARA Las Vegas!” the property exclaimed. “Rest assured – we remain committed to offering FREE parking to our guests located conveniently off of Las Vegas Boulevard.”

The SAHARA Isn’t Charging Their Guests For Parking – But Others?

The property says they are adding technology to improve safety. Potentially reading license plates to ensure a murderer on the run isn’t parking there?

Well, the truth might be somewhere in the middle. Let’s decode the tweet. “Free parking to our guests.” That means if you’re parking to do something at the SAHARA Las Vegas like gamble or eat at one of their massively underrated restaurants, you’ll be fine.

If Another Las Vegas Casino Stops Free Parking, It Should Be Like This

However, right across the street is the massive Las Vegas Festival Grounds… Home to When We Were Young, Lovers & Friends and other festivals (as long as it isn’t too windy). The SAHARA is known for charging people going to the festivals to park in their lot, and validate those who are staying and playing at their property.

We can’t even be mad at that. If another Las Vegas casino stops free parking, this is the best way to do it.

So they may be telling the truth, while tipping their hand to clue us in on the future. As long as we can go see Magic Mike Live and park for free, we gucci.

Sammi Reeves is the afternoon show host on 102.7 VGS. Before her radio career, she worked several jobs in the media industry, specifically involving social media and media buying. As a content creator for 102.7 VGS, Sammi writes Las Vegas content centered around local restaurants, events, and need-to-know news.

The STRAT Charging For Parking - Who Lets Las Vegas Park Free?

UPDATE: The STRAT has since rescinded their pay for parking policy, allowing drivers with a Nevada ID to come and go for free.

Once upon a time, Las Vegas was filled with free parking and valet. Valet drivers were tipped into six-digit incomes. Locals and visitors alike could visit the Strip and shell out their money inside the resort, not in the garage. But the times are a-changin’, and paid parking is spreading faster than coronavirus. How bad as it gotten? The STRAT just started charging for parking.

Yes, for the low low price of not free, you can park your vehicle inside a parking lot in one of the least safe areas of the resort corridor.

We kid, but only a little. The STRAT is charging $6 for the first four hours during the weekdays, with a max daily charge of $12. Friday-Sunday, that bumps up to $8 with a max daily charge of $15.

“Oh, OK. For the tourists, but what about the locals?”. Well, we hate to burst your bubble but the locals are not getting a discount. No “first 3 hours free”. No discounted rate. You’re paying as much as the frat boys from Rancho Cucamonga.

You may remember Resorts World (who has had their challenges drumming up business) started charging for parking recently, but that parking became free by simply having a Genting Rewards card, their free gaming rewards card. Any tier parks for free. The STRAT is giving free parking as well, but not for everyone. True Rewards members above “Solid” (which is the third tier up) get to park for free. To the rest, unfortunately, you’ve got to open your wallet.

It really is a shame, because what The STRAT has done in recent years to modernize their property is impressive! But not paying for parking in Las Vegas is something of a religion. Many aren’t ready to convert.

Who among us isn’t charging for parking in Las Vegas?!

There are still some properties that are thumbing their nose at the “fork over your money to park your car here and fork over more money” policy. They range from the cheapest to the most bougie and it makes you wonder… why would you park elsewhere?!

  • Circus Circus Hotel and Casino

    circus circus las vegas

    Started from the bottom… and this is the bottom. But if you’re looking to bring the kids to Adventuredome, get a delicious meal at THE Steak House (which is a sleeper hit) and have “Slots-A-Fun” you’re gonna park for free while you do it. Parking is free, while valet will set you back a minimum of $12.

  • Resorts World Las Vegas (They Technically Charge... But It's Easy To Get For Free)

    resorts world las vegas

    Our first asterisk on the list is Resorts World. Sure, they technically started charging for parking at the beginning of 2023. But to their credit, they allow any Genting Rewards member of any tier to park for free. Almost brilliant to get people to sign up for the free card to get free parking, and now they have a list to market to. We’ll allow it. At least they don’t require us to run our credit to park for free.

  • SAHARA Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

    sahara las vegas

    Free parking garage AND FREE VALET?! Did we enter a time machine?! SAHARA Las Vegas has some really delicious dining options, hunky men and a gaming floor that doesn’t even remotely resemble its former dilapidated form. Worth a visit!

  • TI Hotel & Casino

    Treasure Island Las Vegas

    They are so committed to free parking, they put it on their massive sign that faces Interstate 15. The valet is free as well! Sure, they got rid of the pirate show, but for this we’ll forgive them.

  • Tropicana Las Vegas (With Caveats)

    tropicana las vegas

    We are going to show some clemency to Tropicana. The poor lil’ fella is surrounded by casinos that charge for parking, an arena and a massive football stadium. Some self-parking is free, while closer lots at $5, and on major event days they get hurt badly (you have people parking there free but not going there at all) they’ll charge non-hotel guests. Fair. Who knows, soon the property might actually be a major stadium of its own.

  • Trump International Hotel Las Vegas

    Trump International Hotel Las Vegas

    Love him or hate him, the property that bares former President Donald Trump’s name features free parking. Make America Not Pay For Parking In Las Vegas Again! MANPFPILVA!

  • (Somewhat) Honorable Mentions

    While they definitely charge for parking, locals are given three hours of clemency at MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts and Venetian/Palazzo properties. Sure, they kind of started this trend, but credit where credit is due. They’d rather chase the locals out after a show than potentially have them stick around and play a slot for a while, which is an interesting business model.

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