How to avoid paying parking fees in Las Vegas

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Travel to Las Vegas is booming, and this year promises to be particularly exciting for the city.

One of the special events sure to draw crowds is a Formula 1 Grand Prix that will race through Sin City in November.

Additionally, the new $1.8 billion entertainment venue called The MSG Sphere is set to open this year, and it will be the largest spherical structure in the world.

Of course, travelers also flock to the area for the nonstop, around-the-clock entertainment and casinos, as well as the dynamic food scene and wealth of hotels.

What’s one thing that can be hard to find in this city, though? Free parking.

If you’d rather spend your money on dinner, drinks, a show or the casino instead of parking, we have good news: We’ve found several ways to park without paying fees.

This includes seeking out hotels that offer free parking to both guests and visitors. We also have a few workarounds for scoring free parking on The Strip.

Here are all the tips and tricks you need to know.

Stay at a hotel that offers free parking

Whether you’re looking for a budget or a luxury property, there are several hotels on and around The Strip that offer free parking.

If you’re bringing your car and free parking is paramount, plan to visit a top-tier spot such as the IHG-associated Venetian and Palazzo at the Venetian. Both offer free self-parking for hotel guests and visitors.

Circus Circus, Encore/Wynn Las Vegas, Sahara, Stratosphere, The Tropicana and Treasure Island also offer free parking for both visitors and hotel guests. At The Cosmopolitan, there’s free valet and self-parking for hotel guests only.

It’s worth noting that during special events, some hotels may impose a small fee for visitors who aren’t guests of the hotel.

Get free parking through M life Rewards

Elite members of MGM’s M life rewards program get free parking, depending on their status level. Members with Pearl status or higher receive free self-parking, while those with Gold status or higher qualify for free valet.

Getting M life elite status is attainable if you’re a World of Hyatt elite member. M life will match Hyatt elite status based on the following levels:

Hyatt Member = M life Sapphire.
Hyatt Discoverist = M life Pearl.
Hyatt Explorist= M life Gold.
Hyatt Globalist = M life Gold.

If you have the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you get automatic Discoverist status, which will get you matched to M life Pearl. This gets you free self-parking. If you want to move up to M life Gold via Hyatt Explorist status, you can earn extra elite qualifying nights through the card.

New cardholders receive five elite qualifying nights, and all cardholders can earn two additional nights for every $5,000 in card spending.

With Hyatt lowering elite status requirements due to the pandemic, you’ll need 15 nights to hit Explorist status. Once you’re ready to match to M life, head to the Hyatt website to request your status match.

Free parking through other rewards programs

In addition to M life, several casinos have rewards programs that offer elite members free parking. Caesars Rewards offers free valet and self-parking to those with Platinum status or higher.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Identity & Membership Rewards program offers free self-parking for members with Sterling status and higher.

Those with Gold status and beyond get free valet parking. Just bring your rewards card and show it to the attendant to take advantage of this benefit. Both valet and self-parking are free for all guests staying at The Cosmopolitan.

Free parking at shopping malls

If you want free parking during the day and don’t mind a short trek to your destination, consider parking at a shopping mall. Fashion Show Mall, The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay and the Shops at Crystals offer free self-parking.

Parking at a shopping mall for free might be convenient if you visit different nearby casinos that don’t offer free parking. Just be aware of mall hours and be sure to move your car when the stores are closed since overnight parking isn’t allowed.

Free parking for veterans

Caesars Entertainment has a special discount program for veterans, active U.S. military members and their spouses.

SALUTE offers discounts on dining and show tickets. Also, SALUTE members receive complimentary parking at Caesars hotels, including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, Planet Hollywood and others.

Free parking for local residents

Being a local pays when it comes to finding free parking in Las Vegas.

At all MGM resorts, Nevada residents receive up to three hours of complimentary self-parking by showing a valid Nevada driver’s license at the exit gate, except during special events.

Local residents also get three hours of free parking at Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Horseshoe Las Vegas (a Bally’s property), and Mirage/Hard Rock. Three hours of free parking at Paris Las Vegas is also available for Nevada residents.

Use a ride-hailing service

Car with an Uber sticker in the windshield in Portland, Oregon — HRACH HOVHANNISYAN/SHUTTERSTOCK

If you want to avoid parking fees and the hassle of renting a car, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are the way to go.

You can hail a ride from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to a hotel on The Strip for around $25. Getting around without a rental car is feasible and free, thanks to complimentary shuttles offered between popular hotels on The Strip.

Bottom line

Travel to Vegas is booming, but there’s no need to dip into your entertainment funds to pay for parking.

Instead, follow these tips and you can avoid parking fees in Las Vegas this summer.

Additional reporting by Ariana Arghandewal.