I haven’t been to Las Vegas since the pandemic and videos like this aren’t exactly motivating me to rush back. @wonderousATX posted a clip of the Flamingo Las Vegas check-in line, and it’s pure chaos: hundreds, maybe even a thousand, people standing in line at 3:50 p.m. on June 1. The caption reads: “It appears @FlamingoVegas 🦩 is not doing a great job at this hotel check-in guest process thingy. I don’t believe mobile kiosks are working.”
It appears @FlamingoVegas 🦩 is not doing a great job at this hotel checkin guest process thingy. I don’t believe mobile kiosks are working. Video was taken 6/1 at 350pm. @VitalVegas @LasVegasLocally pic.twitter.com/6nn4XErb3V
— WonderousATX (@wonderousATX) June 1, 2025
And yeah, that line looks more like Disneyland on a holiday weekend than a hotel lobby. No way would I wait in that. Based on the comments, I’m not alone. Many had horror stories, some had advice and a few dropped Vegas local wisdom.
A few golden nuggets from the comments:
@MikePearsonIII: “The smarter thing to do would be just checking in your bags at the concierge’s office and then come back for your room in the later PMs.”
@TonyTheFishYEG: “Gotta pay the $60 to check in early lol.”
@jamucsb: “No status? Slip the front desk agent $100 and hope for a Disneyland-line bypass.”
@DavidJFrias: “Flamingo has always been this bad. Live here, learned the hard way. Never again.”
@cnote_vegas: “Another reason MGM is far superior with mobile app check-in and digital keys.”
@maximumbob4real: “When kiosks work, Caesars mobile check-in is fine. But if they’re down, total mess. And yeah, they go down a lot.”
What’s crazy is that I just searched for my blog post about the one time I stayed there (photo above), and here’s what I wrote back in 2007: “The Flamingo is old and I will probably never stay there again unless they change their check-in process, which was by far the worst part of my whole stay. Can you believe I waited 30 minutes (it felt like 2 hours) just to get my room key? Who wants to do that after getting off a flight? When I reached the counter and complained, the clerk said, “Thirty minutes? That ain’t bad … it’s usually longer.” I almost fainted.” I guess some things never change.
Here are concrete ways to beat long Las Vegas check-in lines:
Here are concrete ways to beat long Las Vegas check-in lines:1. Don’t stay at the Flamingo
If the hotel hasn’t changed their check-in in 18 years then they’re never going to.
2. Use mobile check-in
Most big resorts now offer app-based check-in and digital keys. MGM Resorts does this well. Caesars properties offer it too, but when the system’s down, staff is limited.
3. Time your arrival
Avoid the 3 to 5 p.m. rush when everyone shows up at once. If you arrive early, store your bags and explore. Come back later once the crowds thin.
4. Get status or pay up
Loyalty status (like Caesars Diamond) usually gets you a faster line. No status? Some travelers say slipping a $20 to $100 tip at the front desk (aka the “Vegas sandwich”) can get you a room faster. No guarantees, but it’s a known trick.
5. Book a hotel with better tech or service
MGM Resorts often win for ease thanks to their reliable mobile check-in. If you want to avoid Flamingo-style lines, consider a newer or more tech-forward property.
6. Skip hotels altogether
Several users mentioned ditching resorts for Airbnb, which skips check-in lines completely.
7. Consider VIP check-in or early check-in fees
Some hotels offer express or early check-in for a fee ($30 to $60). Not ideal, but if your time is valuable or you’re traveling with kids, it may be worth it.
Las Vegas is supposed to be all about fun, not standing in a queue that wraps around the lobby. If you’re heading there soon, plan ahead, download the hotel’s app and remember: sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra to skip the chaos.
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