UPDATE: The STRAT has since rescinded their pay for parking policy, allowing drivers with a Nevada ID to come and go for free.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