How to Avoid MGM Resort Fees: Your Comprehensive Guide

How to Avoid MGM Resort Fees: Your Comprehensive Guide

Planning a trip to one of MGM Resorts' iconic properties in Las Vegas or elsewhere can be incredibly exciting. From the dazzling lights of the Strip to world-class entertainment and dining, there's a lot to love. However, lurking beneath the surface of your booking is a charge that often catches travelers by surprise: the resort fee. These mandatory daily charges, while clearly stated in the fine print, can add a significant amount to your total bill. But what if there were ways to avoid them altogether or at least minimize their impact? This article will delve into the strategies and possibilities for sidestepping MGM resort fees.

Understanding the MGM Resort Fee

Before we discuss avoidance, it's crucial to understand what a resort fee is. MGM Resorts, like many other major hotel chains, charges a mandatory daily fee that covers amenities and services guests can access. These often include:

• Wi-Fi access
• Fitness center access
• Pool and spa access (though specific treatments may cost extra)
• Local calls
• In-room coffee or tea (at some properties)
• Printing services (at some properties)

The exact inclusions can vary slightly from property to property within the MGM portfolio. It's important to note that even if you don't use all of these amenities, the resort fee is still charged to your room.

The Sticker Shock: How Much Do Resort Fees Add Up?

MGM resort fees typically range from $35 to $50 per night, plus tax. This might not seem like much on a per-night basis, but over a multi-night stay, it can easily add an extra $100 to $300 (or more) to your bill. For a long weekend, this is a significant cost that often feels like it's for services you might not even utilize.

Strategies for Avoiding MGM Resort Fees

While MGM Resorts is quite firm on their resort fee policy, there are a few avenues you can explore to potentially bypass this charge. Success is not guaranteed, but these methods have been known to work for some travelers.

1. Join the MGM Rewards Program

This is arguably the most effective and widely recognized strategy. If you are an MGM Rewards member, particularly at higher tiers, you may be eligible for waived resort fees. The program has several tiers:

• Pearl: Typically offers some benefits, but resort fee waivers are less common.
• Gold: This is often where resort fee waivers begin to become a more consistent perk for hotel stays.
• Platinum: Enjoy more significant benefits, including a higher likelihood of waived resort fees.
• Noir: The highest tier, offering premium benefits, including automatic resort fee waivers.

How it works: When you book a hotel stay directly through MGM Resorts (or often through their affiliated booking channels) and provide your MGM Rewards number, the system should automatically apply the benefit of waived resort fees if your tier qualifies. You may see it reflected on your booking confirmation or when you check in.

Tip: If you're close to reaching a higher tier, consider if a slightly more frequent stay or spending pattern could push you over the edge before your planned trip.

2. Book Through Specific Channels (with Caution)

In some instances, booking through certain third-party travel sites or packages might offer a way to avoid resort fees. This is less common and requires careful investigation:

• Bundled Packages: Sometimes, travel agencies or booking sites that offer flight + hotel packages might have negotiated rates that include the resort fee or have it waived as part of the bundle. Always scrutinize the package details to ensure the resort fee isn't just hidden elsewhere in the pricing.
• Corporate or Entertainment Bookings: If you have access to corporate booking portals or specific entertainment industry discounts, these may sometimes offer more favorable terms, including waived fees.

Important Note: Booking through third parties can sometimes complicate your ability to earn MGM Rewards points or utilize your membership benefits. It's a trade-off you need to consider.

3. Direct Negotiation with the Hotel (A Long Shot)

While MGM Resorts is generally strict about its resort fees, there are rare occasions where direct negotiation might yield results, especially if there are extenuating circumstances or if you're a very loyal customer (even without elite status).

When to try:

• During check-in: If you notice an error on your reservation, or if a service you expected to be included with the resort fee is unavailable (e.g., the pool is closed for maintenance), you can politely inquire if the resort fee can be adjusted or waived for your stay.
• If you encounter significant service issues: If your stay is marred by major problems that detract from the advertised amenities, a polite conversation with the front desk manager *might* lead to a goodwill gesture, potentially including a resort fee waiver or a partial credit.

How to approach it: Be polite, calm, and reasonable. Frame your request as a question rather than a demand. Have your reservation details ready. Expect that this is unlikely to work, but it doesn't hurt to try in specific situations.

4. Credit Card Perks and Travel Portals

Some premium travel credit cards offer benefits that can help offset or even eliminate resort fees. This often comes in the form of:

• Annual Travel Credits: Cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or certain Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits offer statement credits that can be used to cover hotel charges, including resort fees. You'll book your stay normally and then use your credit to offset the cost.
• Bookings Through the Card's Travel Portal: Many credit cards have their own travel booking portals. Sometimes, booking an MGM property through these portals can result in a different fee structure, or the card's benefits might apply to make the resort fee effectively free.

Tip: Always read the terms and conditions of your credit card's travel benefits carefully, as the specifics of how they apply to resort fees can vary.

5. Look for Special Promotions or Package Deals

Occasionally, MGM Resorts or their partner entities will run promotions that include waived resort fees as part of a larger package. These are often advertised during specific times of the year or for certain events. Keep an eye on:

• MGM Resorts' official website for deals and packages.
• Email newsletters from MGM Rewards.
• Travel deal aggregator websites.

These are not always available, but they are worth looking out for if you're flexible with your travel dates.

A Note on Loyalty Programs and Waived Fees

The MGM Rewards program is by far the most consistent pathway to avoiding resort fees. If you plan on visiting MGM properties more than once or twice a year, investing a little effort into earning loyalty points and achieving a higher tier can pay significant dividends. Even if you don't reach Gold or Platinum immediately, building your points balance can lead to free stays or upgrades that might make the resort fee feel less impactful.

FAQ: Your Top Resort Fee Questions Answered

Q: Why do MGM Resorts charge resort fees?

A: MGM Resorts charges resort fees to cover the costs of amenities and services that are available to all guests, such as Wi-Fi, fitness centers, pool access, and local calls. These fees are presented as a way to bundle the cost of these shared resources.

Q: Can I opt out of paying the resort fee?

A: Generally, no. Resort fees are mandatory for all guests staying at MGM Resorts properties, regardless of whether they use the included amenities. The primary way to avoid them is through loyalty program status or specific promotional offers.

Q: How much is the resort fee at different MGM properties?

A: The resort fee amount can vary between MGM properties. While a common range is $35 to $50 per night plus tax, it's always best to check the specific resort's website or your booking confirmation for the exact fee applicable to your stay.

Q: If I have an MGM Rewards credit card, will my resort fees be waived?

A: Certain MGM Rewards co-branded credit cards may offer benefits that can help offset resort fees, such as statement credits. However, direct waiver of resort fees is typically tied to the *tier status* within the MGM Rewards program itself, rather than solely through card ownership, unless specifically stated in the card's benefits.