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!

DO: See JAMM at Bally's Las Vegas

Bally's is my favorite place to stay when in Vegas.  One of the main reasons I love Bally's is to see this highly talented band play.  JAMM is the house band at the Indigo Lounge at Bally's.  I have the luck to see them during the week when we stay at Bally's.  What I love about the Indigo Lounge is that it is very open (no doors or walls!).  They do have tables and seats, with wait staff that will serve you drinks, but you can also watch them from the slot machines and hear them while at Blackjack, Roulette, or Craps.  There is a small dance floor directly in front of the band, where about 8 couples can comfortably dance.  The lighting is dark and focused on the band, but the best show, in my opinion, is watching the ladies playing the slot machines right outside the lounge dance in their seats while playing Wheel of Fortune or Triple Butterflies.  The Indigo Lounge is also right next door to the Tequilla Bar, which has $2 tacos, draft beers and frozen house margaritas.  So, I love to check in on my boyfriend (who is putting in a 8 hr shift at the blackjack table), go grab a few tacos and wash it down with a beer and enjoy some great music to put me in that Vegas mood!  If it weren't for JAMM, I would be retiring early to bed.  They help keep you motivated and energized, which I need at 10 pm!  (Especially since I wake up around 5 am in Vegas).

JAMM is a band that appeals to the masses.  No matter what your age, background, ethnicity, or music preference is, they have a set list that rivals that of a wedding band.  Expect a mix of everything from the 50s to today.  I enjoy them because they are upbeat and act completely professional.  You can tell this group has been around for awhile, by the spot on performances and how they easily transition from an upbeat modern song to a slow, relaxing cool 70s ballad.  Their female vocalist can belt out a wide range, and isn't scared to show it off, either.  I have seen this band play a lot of Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and even Frank Sinatra.  Here is a youtube video of JAMM with their frontman, Jonathan Potenciano, singing Frank Sinantra's The Way You Tonight. 

HINT: JAMM is a band that has a facebook fan page.  Check out Bally's or JAMM's page on Facebook the week you are in Vegas to see when/where they are performing.  Then, go to Bally's and grab a late night snack at the Tequilla Bar (open til 6 am!) for $10 and enjoy the show!