At a big casino resort the valet stand is often the busiest place on the property. Cars arrive and leave around the clock, keys change hands hundreds of times a shift, and the garage behind the stand can hold a remarkable collection of vehicles on a Saturday night. For guests it is convenient: no hunting for a space in a huge garage, no long walk through the casino floor. A few habits make it smoother and safer for you and your car.
Before you pull up
- Clear the cabin. Take valuables, laptops, cash and anything you would not want to lose. Rubbish too; the valet will notice.
- Remove documents with your home address, and the garage door opener. Together they tell a stranger where an empty house is.
- Use a valet key if your car has one; it may restrict access to the glovebox and trunk.
- Take the house keys off the ring.
At the stand
Take a few quick photos of the car from each corner with your phone, plus the dashboard showing mileage and fuel. It takes thirty seconds and settles most disputes before they start. Point out any existing damage to the attendant if they do a walk-around, and keep your ticket somewhere safe, often photographed as well.
If something goes wrong
Most valet tickets include terms limiting the operator's liability, but operators can still be liable for damage caused by their staff. If you find a new scratch or dent, report it before you drive away and ask for a manager and an incident report. Photos taken on arrival are your best evidence. Do not let the conversation end with a vague promise to look into it.
Paid valet and the parking question
Valet used to be free at most Las Vegas casinos, with only a tip expected. That changed in the second half of the 2010s, when the big Strip operators introduced paid parking, often with discounts or free parking for loyalty-programme members at certain tiers. Rules, prices and perks change regularly, so check the resort's own site before you go. Downtown properties and casinos elsewhere often have different policies.
Tipping the valet
In the US a tip of a few dollars is customary when your car is brought back, and many guests also tip when they drop off, especially on a busy night when they would like the car kept somewhere convenient. Bigger tips for special requests, such as parking up front or handling an unusual car, are common. Like any tip, it is a thank-you rather than a requirement. Our car wash tipping guide covers the wider etiquette.
What valets notice
Ask anyone who has worked a valet stand and they will tell you the cars they remember: the spotless classic, the supercar with a cabin full of fast-food wrappers, the immaculate minivan. A clean, tidy car is easier and more pleasant to handle, and it tends to get treated with a little extra care. A quick waterless wipe-down and a vacuum before a weekend on the Strip is time well spent.
