MGM Vegas resorts now charging $25 to get plates and napkins with room service

[Dan Druff]

Credit to Vital Vegas for writing a good article about this one.

Note that there is no fee-free option. You are either paying $10 for "eco-friendly" containers (basically to-go boxes and plastic forks), or $25 for a traditional room service setup of trays, silverware, plates. etc.

I imagine that this is probably replacing whatever delivery fee they had before, so it's probably not as bad as it appears, but still obnoxious.

At MGM Grand, that fee was $9.50, according to this menu I found online. So, yeah, this sucks, as now you're paying $15 more to get the same thing.


I don't know why the bean counters at these casinos don't realize how angry this gets people. This is much worse than just a service fee. It really does make it appear they are charging $25 for the usage of plates and silverware.

This is even worse when the meal isn't particularly expensive (by room service standards), such as a couple wanting to order breakfast. Who's gonna do it now, with that $25 fee?

Idiotic. Vegas is upcharging their way out of viability.

[Dan Druff]

I do have an amusing story regarding room service charges for plates, dating back to 2013.

It was my first New Years Eve as a Seven Stars member, and I got both myself and my parents comp rooms in the Augustus Tower of Caesars, overlooking the strip and fireworks.

We went to dinner that night at a Caesars owned restaurant, and after dinner, ordered several slices of cake to take to-go. Our plan was to eat the cake in the room as we waited for the New Years fireworks.

Well, we got back to the room, and realized we had no silverware nor plates -- just several slices of cake.

I called room service and asked for some plates and silverware.

"That will be a $30 plateage fee", I was told.

Plateage?!

Plateage?!

I had never heard that term before, but it was super obnoxious, and I was really annoyed. I argued with them, stating that I was a Seven Stars member who had just dined in one of their own restaurants, and we simply need plates and forks to eat the cake we bought from them! I asked if they could make an exception to the "plateage" policy. After some weak arguing back and forth, they agreed to bring up the plates and silverware complimentary. I tipped the runner something, but I don't remember how much. Not $30.

Anyway, that 2013 plateage reminds me of this new MGM policy. Except this one is worse, because at least I was asking room service to give me something free. Here you're charged $25 for plates to eat your room service food!

[kewlJ]

remember when Las Vegas casinos used to make their money from gambling? From the house edge that they had on every game. Casino restaurants, almost gave away the food to keep gamblers in the casino. THAT is what Las Vegas was....the gambling capitol of the world. People came here to gamble and casino made money from gambling.

What non gambling type business school brainiac decides Las Vegas should be about retail space and celebrity restaurants, and resort fees, and every other nickel and dime fee instead of gambling? Why are there 2 outlet malls in Las Vegas? Are people really flying thousands of miles to Las Vegas to go to an outlet mall, just like they have 5 miles from their home. I don't get it.

I moved to Vegas in 2009. My first trip was probably 2005, 2006. Bring back THAT Las Vegas, or even earlier, before my time, that was about gambling!!! That is what Las Vegas is supposed to be.

[MisterV]

remember when Las Vegas casinos used to make their money from gambling?

Those days of yore were pre-corporate, when those who owned the casinos (crooks) were satisfied with the reported income PLUS the skim.

I suppose it would be tougher if not impossible to skim restaurant, clubbing and event income today.

[Tasha]

It is ridiculous to charge $25 for plates, napkins, and silverware.. I'd imagine many people will just go to the local store and buy plates, napkins, and silveware for about $15 at the most.

[The Boz]

It is ridiculous to charge $25 for plates, napkins, and silverware.. I'd imagine many people will just go to the local store and buy plates, napkins, and silveware for about $15 at the most.

What local store moron? Since you know so much about Vegas, what local stores?

Yes there are Walgreens and CVS stores on the strip but NO ONE ordering room service is leaving their room, walking through the hotel and down the strip to save a couple bucks to buy plates and such.

You truly get dumber by the day and that imagination gets you in trouble.

[The Boz]

remember when Las Vegas casinos used to make their money from gambling? From the house edge that they had on every game. Casino restaurants, almost gave away the food to keep gamblers in the casino. THAT is what Las Vegas was....the gambling capitol of the world. People came here to gamble and casino made money from gambling.

What non gambling type business school brainiac decides Las Vegas should be about retail space and celebrity restaurants, and resort fees, and every other nickel and dime fee instead of gambling? Why are there 2 outlet malls in Las Vegas? Are people really flying thousands of miles to Las Vegas to go to an outlet mall, just like they have 5 miles from their home. I don't get it.

I moved to Vegas in 2009. My first trip was probably 2005, 2006. Bring back THAT Las Vegas, or even earlier, before my time, that was about gambling!!! That is what Las Vegas is supposed to be.

Someone has to pay for all the money they keep handing MDawg! He single handily is responsible for all the additional fees in Vegas since he embarked on his “Adventure” winning millions a year from them while they slap him hi fives and comp him tickets to anything he wants.

[Keystone]

remember when Las Vegas casinos used to make their money from gambling? From the house edge that they had on every game. Casino restaurants, almost gave away the food to keep gamblers in the casino. THAT is what Las Vegas was....the gambling capitol of the world. People came here to gamble and casino made money from gambling.

What non gambling type business school brainiac decides Las Vegas should be about retail space and celebrity restaurants, and resort fees, and every other nickel and dime fee instead of gambling? Why are there 2 outlet malls in Las Vegas? Are people really flying thousands of miles to Las Vegas to go to an outlet mall, just like they have 5 miles from their home. I don't get it.

I moved to Vegas in 2009. My first trip was probably 2005, 2006. Bring back THAT Las Vegas, or even earlier, before my time, that was about gambling!!! That is what Las Vegas is supposed to be.

Someone has to pay for all the money they keep handing MDawg! He single handily is responsible for all the additional fees in Vegas since he embarked on his “Adventure” winning millions a year from them while they slap him hi fives and comp him tickets to anything he wants.

Wait, wait…Rob believes him so it must be true!!

[pinchingyourballs]

It is ridiculous to charge $25 for plates, napkins, and silverware.. I'd imagine many people will just go to the local store and buy plates, napkins, and silveware for about $15 at the most.

Tasha, the food has to be delivered to your room in or on some type of receptacles. You can either pay $10 for crappy ones or $25 for nicer ones. If you have your own plates and flatware with you in the hotel room, you could opt for the cheaper service and then re-plate your food when it gets to your room. But for a savings of a mere $15 it is probably not worth it for most people.

[DGenBen]

It is ridiculous to charge $25 for plates, napkins, and silverware.. I'd imagine many people will just go to the local store and buy plates, napkins, and silveware for about $15 at the most.

Better yet, buy a hot plate & some ingredients too and just cook the meal in your room.

[MDawg]

We actually do travel with an electronic hot plate and teflon pan always have, but use it just to heat up leftovers. We already request and get at least two refrigerators in the suite already anyway to store Kombuchas, wellness shots, soy milk, yoghurt, berries and such.

One thing I will make in the room is instant oatmeal and add to it fresh blueberries or other berries, using our boiler which we use for tea or whatever health concoction my wife is into lately. When I am in a hurry I will skip breakfast, so having an option like that without having to wait for room service is nice.

My wife doesn't like to see anyone in the room when she is there, resents the intrusion, so she'd rather eat leftovers than have to deal with a room service waiter. So she actually welcomes the "Express service" that Venetian/Palazzo and Cosmo have been doing for some time, where they bring the food up in a bag versus tablecloth and silverware service, that minimal intrusion she doesn't mind.

[MDawg]

UNKewlJ got no drip. So how would she know about anything to do with any of this?

[MisterV]

Better yet, buy a hot plate & some ingredients too and just cook the meal in your room.

Or get a freebee at an LV soup kitchen...you know, like you do in Miami.

[DGenBen]

We actually do travel with an electronic hot plate and teflon pan always have, but use it just to heat up leftovers. We already request and get at least two refrigerators in the suite already anyway to store Kombuchas, wellness shots, soy milk, yoghurt, berries and such.

One thing I will make in the room is instant oatmeal and add to it fresh blueberries or other berries, using our boiler which we use for tea or whatever health concoction my wife is into lately. When I am in a hurry I will skip breakfast, so having an option like that without having to wait for room service is nice.

My wife doesn't like to see anyone in the room when she is there, resents the intrusion, so she'd rather eat leftovers than have to deal with a room service waiter. So she actually welcomes the "Express service" that Venetian/Palazzo and Cosmo have been doing for some time, where they bring the food up in a bag versus tablecloth and silverware service, that minimal intrusion she doesn't mind.

Actually this is good advice.

Something all people who gamble a lot whether APs, or recs, or Degens have in common is that they usually eat a lot of unhealthy shit.

With a little advance planning you can get around this.

[accountinquestion]

The thing that bothers me the most is that all the garbage for the to go order is considered "eco-friendly".

[Keystone]

We actually do travel with an electronic hot plate and teflon pan always have, but use it just to heat up leftovers. We already request and get at least two refrigerators in the suite already anyway to store Kombuchas, wellness shots, soy milk, yoghurt, berries and such.

One thing I will make in the room is instant oatmeal and add to it fresh blueberries or other berries, using our boiler which we use for tea or whatever health concoction my wife is into lately. When I am in a hurry I will skip breakfast, so having an option like that without having to wait for room service is nice.

My wife doesn't like to see anyone in the room when she is there, resents the intrusion, so she'd rather eat leftovers than have to deal with a room service waiter. So she actually welcomes the "Express service" that Venetian/Palazzo and Cosmo have been doing for some time, where they bring the food up in a bag versus tablecloth and silverware service, that minimal intrusion she doesn't mind.

She doesn’t seem to mind anyone in the room while you’re downstairs dropping more of your sheikh daddy’s money…or so we’ve heard

[Tasha]

It is ridiculous to charge $25 for plates, napkins, and silverware.. I'd imagine many people will just go to the local store and buy plates, napkins, and silveware for about $15 at the most.

What local store moron? Since you know so much about Vegas, what local stores?

Yes there are Walgreens and CVS stores on the strip but NO ONE ordering room service is leaving their room, walking through the hotel and down the strip to save a couple bucks to buy plates and such.

You truly get dumber by the day and that imagination gets you in trouble.

Have you not seen any episodes of extreme cheapskates show? Plenty of people will walk down the strip to save a couple of dollars.

[MisterV]

Have you not seen any episodes of extreme cheapskates show? Plenty of people will walk down the strip to save a couple of dollars.

Gee I must have missed the show where people ordering room service on the strip left the casino to walk down the strip to buy utensils and plates at CVS for room service to use to plate and deliver their hideously overpriced meal.

Can you find it on YouTube and post a link?

That way I too can save a couple of dollars...if I ever return to sin city, which is increasingly unlikely given how it is morphing.

[kewlJ]

I am confused. Who are these people that travel to Las Vegas for a 3, 4, 5 day stay and eat macaroni and cheese cooked in their hotel room on a hotplate and served on paper plates? Normal people come to Vegas for a stay, they include eating out at restaurants as part of their expenses.

What other thrifty tricks are these people doing? Instead of paying for bags on the airplane do the dress in 4 layers of the clothes they plan to wear everyday? That type of thing? Are there tips on this somewhere? "Visiting Vegas on the cheap" or something?

[Tasha]

Have you not seen any episodes of extreme cheapskates show? Plenty of people will walk down the strip to save a couple of dollars.

Gee I must have missed the show where people ordering room service on the strip left the casino to walk down the strip to buy utensils and plates at CVS for room service to use to plate and deliver their hideously overpriced meal.

Can you find it on YouTube and post a link?

That way I too can save a couple of dollars...if I ever return to sin city, which is increasingly unlikely given how it is morphing.

Extreme cheapskates didn't have an episode about people walking down the strip to save a couple of dollars on napkins, plates, and silverware, but there are Extreme cheapskates. I saw an Extreme Cheapskates episode where a woman brought a cup of microwave rice to a fancy restaurant and asked just for water . That's Extreme Cheapskate. I could see her walking down the strip to save on napkins, plates, and silverware.