Dog Owners Are More Likely to Be Caught by This Hidden Las Vegas Hotel Charge

Visitors arriving in Las Vegas with dogs often plan their trips differently from everyone else, structuring days around early walks, cooler pavement, daycare drop-offs, and quiet returns to the room.

But that careful planning is now being met with a subtle new cost.

At many Strip resorts, simply speaking to a reservations agent can trigger a fee of around $15, an expense that disproportionately affects travelers trying to confirm pet policies before they book.

Why Pet Owners Are More Likely To Pay It

For most tourists, booking a Las Vegas hotel is a quick, digital transaction. Dates are selected, a room is chosen, and the reservation is complete within minutes.

Travelers with dogs, however, often need clarity that booking engines fail to provide.

Pet-friendly labels can be vague, nightly pet fees are not always included in the displayed rate, and weight limits or tower-specific rules may not be clearly explained online.

As a result, many dog owners do what seems sensible: they call the hotel directly to confirm details with a human being. That diligence is exactly where the fee appears.

How The Fee Works

According to a recent video by local Las Vegas commentator JacobslifeinVegas, major casino operators have been charging guests simply for booking through a live agent.

The policy applies whether a guest is reserving a luxury suite or redeeming a complimentary room offer. If a reservations employee completes the booking, a phone fee is added.

Caesars Entertainment has reportedly enforced the charge since around 2016, impacting properties such as Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas.

MGM Resorts International followed with similar policies in 2024.

The rationale is simple. Automated booking systems reduce staffing costs, and human interaction has quietly become a premium service.

Why It Feels Like A “Dog Tax”

For travelers without pets, the fee is an inconvenience easily avoided by clicking through a website. For dog owners trying to ensure their pet will actually be welcomed at check-in, the charge can feel punitive.

Confirming pet availability is not a luxury. It is a necessity, and the fee effectively monetizes responsible planning.

The Smart Play To Avoid It

There is a way to get the reassurance without paying the surcharge.

Many seasoned travelers now use a two-step approach.

First, they call the hotel to ask detailed questions about pet fees, restrictions, and room availability. Once the information is confirmed, they end the call without booking.

They then immediately complete the reservation online through the hotel’s official website, selecting the exact room type discussed with the agent. The result is peace of mind without the added $15.

When Technology Fails

Hotel booking systems do not always cooperate. Sometimes the pet option fails to appear online, or the site will not allow a pet to be added at all.

In those cases, travelers who are forced to book by phone may have success asking for the fee to be waived.

Explaining that the website prevented a proper booking, and requesting a courtesy removal of the charge, can sometimes lead to a favorable outcome.

Persistence and politeness matter, and the result often depends on the individual agent.