I was wondering if you should tip a new host. I know there are other threads about tipping, but what about if you just started using one. I got an email from a host in January from NYNY and decided to use him on an offer for March. It was a 4 day comp suite with $125 free play and F/B. I earned 112,000 teir credits, mostly slots and VP with some table games. I am going back next month for a slot tournament and he is offering better suite and F/B, plus limo from airport. He told me I would get Free play from the tournament. I have never had a host before and really didn't think my play deserved one, but it is looking good so far. Would you tip and if so what amount would be sufficient.
If you give solid play, and he wipes out the f&b balance at the end of your trip, makes dinner reservations or helps you out in any way with show tickets etc, then why not.... It does help in your future relationship and assists in getting suite upgrades, discretionary comps etc. I bring up the f&b balance, because MGM does have a limited f&b as well, and the hosts can obviously take care of overages if your play supports it. It has been my experience that gifts pay dividends. Nick
Nice response Nick. I was wondering this as well. Just started using one at The D, and my first trip using them is coming up soon. Might just take her a UT shirt for a "Hey there" tip.
25k TC per day is about the line for getting a host. Your host can be a concierge, but he can also personalize a trip for you. Pool view? Strip view? A room where the sun doesn't shine in at 7am and wake you up? Want more F&B but a smaller room? Want a bigger room but less freeplay? Tough tickets or dinner reservations that you couldn't get yourself? A bowl of green M&Ms (JUST the green ones!) in your room? Those are the awesome things a host can do. If you don't need that stuff, then a host is just a glorified travel agent. Note: mLife offers always seem to be room PLUS either freeplay or casino credit (aka limited F&B), starting around 10k TC/day and improving in size and $ as you go up. Looks to me like your follow-up offer is in line for your play. There's no need to tip a host if he's just giving you comps. There are some "hosts" that are just an annoying, time-wasting human insert into a transaction that would be $-identical and far faster if you just did it online yourself. Hosts can't take cash, and don't even like it if you try to do a street-corner hidden-hundred-in-the-handshake toke. If you really really need to give cash, stick it in a greeting card. Plants, chocolates, wine, and local flavor usually just sits in their office until Betty from accounting stops by and your host offers it to her. Gift cards & certificates can work in lieu of cash, but are a grey area. The best gift is, of course, a positive letter to their boss.
Thanks for your input Hiero. I guess since you tip everyone in Vegas I just assumed you would tip a host, but I do agree you should be based on the additional effort they provide.
