One of the major freebies in Las Vegas that patrons are grateful for is parking. Along with free cocktails, parking is an expenditure that guests have not had to contend with. However, MGM Resorts International announced late last week that they will begin to charge for parking. The company will be the first major brand in Las Vegas to create such a charge. The decision to charge for parking could bring the company millions of dollars each year, though the move to charge is a surprising one.

Experts have pointed out that the decision for a parking charge by the MGM is a surprising one but it goes along with a recent trend that MGM began in the past, having a resort fee. This is now a standard on the Strip. Could it be that charging for parking could become yet another trend?

MGM Resorts is the largest operator of hotel-casinos in Las Vegas, who will now charge as much as $10 for overnight self-parking at most of their properties located on The Strip. The charge will begin in the spring and will be found at the MGM Grand, The Mirage, Aria, Bellagio, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Excalibur, New York-New York, Delano and Mandalay Bay venues.

Visitors will have the option for valet parking, but the price will be higher. The brand will also offer free parking at certain venues including Mandalay Bay Place shopping center and Circus Circus hotel. The properties in China, Michigan and Mississippi will also remain free of charge for parking.

MGM will also provide options in the loyalty program to allow visitors to earn free parking rewards. Despite the smaller charge and options to earn free parking rewards, consumers are not happy about the announced changes. Customers took to social media to announce their displeasure, stating they would be going elsewhere for gambling and hotel stays.

The parking fee may be something that visitors to Las Vegas will have to get used to as experts believe additional companies will follow suit and charge for parking as well.