Las Vegas hotels love to tempt you with their glitzy food and beverage credits, promising a delicious dining experience on the house. But before you eagerly click that “book now” button, let’s take a closer look at whether these credits are really worth the hype.
Room Rate Hikes
First off, let’s talk about the sneaky price hike. On average, MGM Hotels will bump up your nightly rate by $19 for a $75 credit, or $8 for a $30 credit. That’s a 27% increase in your room rate! Oh, and don’t forget the lovely tax added on top of that.
Here are the rates for the Bellagio Hotel without a credit applied:
Below are the rates with the Food and Beverage credit applied – a $19 increase!
Some hotels, like the Cosmopolitan, require a minimum stay of three nights, and just forget about checking in on a busy Saturday. It’s like they’re saying, “We’ll give you this awesome credit, but only if you play by our rules and stay longer than you planned!”
Here are the Cosmo’s rates without a credit:
Below are the rates and the blackout dates with a $50 Food and beverage credit. Some days, the credit costs $50 – $108 more per night. In this case, you should avoid the credit altogether.
Usage Restrictions
Now, let’s say you’re planning a quick one-night stay. Excited to use that food and beverage credit? Not so fast! Most hotels won’t let you use the credit on your checkout day. So, if you’re not sticking around for at least two nights, you’ll have to cram all that dining into your first day. Talk about a foodie marathon!
Lastly, don’t get too attached to that trendy new restaurant you’ve been dying to try. Some hotels have a list of excluded restaurants that won’t accept your precious credit. Here’s just a few restricted bars and restaurants at Cosmopolitan:
- Zuma
- Beauty & Essex
- The Juice Standard
When the Food & Beverage Credit is Worth It
So, when should you actually book a hotel with a food and beverage credit? If you’ve got reservations at a participating restaurant (before your departure day) and you know your total bill will exceed the credit amount, then go for it! You’ll actually save some cash in the long run.
But if you’re unsure about your dining plans or you’re only in town for a short stay, it might be better to skip the credit and save yourself the headache (and the extra cash).