Resort Fees at Caesar's and Total Rewards Properties #nofair @BallysVegas

Yes, its been a year since our last trip to Las Vegas.  I have battled leukemia since February, and now that I'm in remission and undergoing maintenance therapy, we have decided its time for a celebratory trip to Las Vegas.  I've mentioned on here before we always stay at Bally's.  We ALWAYS stay at Bally's.  In the seven (yes, 7) years we have been going to Vegas together, we have never, ever, EVER paid a resort fee.  This time, we have been charged one.

It seems the Caesar's properties have started charging resort fees.  What's a resort fee?  I was curious, too.  I called, and the polite customer service representative explained that Bally's resort fee is $18/night (even if you are comp'd or are offered "free" rooms) and includes internet access for one item in your room (I have no idea if this is Wi-Fi), entrance to the fitness center for 2, and local calls.  I asked to remove this fee if we knew we didn't want any of those amenities, and she refused.  Then, I decided to take this one step further and contact the Caesar's online customer service...and this is the context of the email I received from them:

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for writing Bally's Las Vegas.

As of March 1st, 2013, all Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas have implemented a mandatory Resort Fee that ranges from $15-$25 depending on which hotel you will be staying at. As stated, these fees are mandatory for all guests who book with exception of Platinum, Diamond and Seven Star TR members.

If there is anything else we can do to further assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Thank you,

I might not be Platinum, Diamond, or Seven Stars rated on my total rewards card, but I am a loyal (very loyal) customer.   I personally think Bally's and Caesars are making a big mistake nickel and diming their customers in this way...especially when they proudly advertised "NO RESORT FEES" everywhere...online and in their hotels!

I do have lots of myVegas points on that fabulous facebook game that could get me a free night in NYNY, so I am hoping N wants to stay there and try out our other favorite place to gamble!