“Furor over resort fees hits Las Vegas”

Posted: 12 Aug 2010 12:57 PM PDT

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A Las Vegas resort said its rivals grossed $12 million in June on new fees for hotel services, such as charges for making phone calls or using the pool.

Harrah's Entertainment, like Southwest Airlines with the airline industry, is trying to make a name for itself as the "no fee" business among Las Vegas hotels, the Las Vegas Sun reported Thursday.

Harrah's has taken its argument public with a Facebook page to serve as a rallying point for "the fight against Las Vegas resort fees," the newspaper said.

"I don't think people will get used to paying these fees," said Harrah's vice president of marketing, Michael Weaver.

"People are outraged," said Christopher Elliott, who advocates for consumers on a blog called Travel Troubleshooter.

By advertising cheap rooms, then charging fees for previously free amenities, "Quite simply, it's lying," he said.

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