Effective Tuesday, February 21, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa stopped charging a controversial parking fee that began last August. Now guests who sign up for the free Wild Card rewards card can park for free; non-Wild Card members will be required to pay a fee to park.
Management had assumed guests would be willing to pay the $10 charge for a more secure parking area with extra patrols and better lighting.
But customers complained nonstop about the fee and also about the loss of nearly 1,000 parking spaces that were closed during construction. However, almost 500 parking spaces will be reopened on the surface parking lot and a new 700-space parking garage will open in April.
Seminole Gaming Chief Executive Officer James Allen said the parking fee has been eliminated in response to guests’ comments.
