Free play instead of resort credit?

So I have a trip booked in July at MGM for 4 nights. My offers don't go that far out yet but a host comped the 4 nights and gave $300 in resort credit. I haven't stayed at MGM in a while so my corporate offers are usually 2 comp nights with 75 f&b and 150-200 FP at MGM. Mirage gives me much more since I usually stay there but I want to stay south this time.

Can hosts give FP anymore? Should I be asking him to split my resort credit so that I can get some FP instead since I prefer FP?

 

It sounds like your host booked you under a corporate offer. They can not change the terms of it. Freeplay at Mlife properties is not easy to get anymore. You can ask but 99% of the time the answer is no.

 

The only corp offer I have (that he said) expires may 2016. It's only 2 nghts comped with 75 f&b and 200 FP. I think he made up his own offer based on play at other mlife properties... Do they do that?

 

I usually tell our host(s) that I prefer freeplay vs resort credit. It really does not change from he corp offer, but we still ask.

 

I usually get $1000 in resort credit and $500 in FreePlay. I always ask for some of the RC to be changed to FP. Once NYNY upped the FP to $1000 but said I'd have to use express credits for food. Everywhere else has always said no to changing any portion of the RC to FP.

 

I was shot down cold trying to swap out a $300 FB credit for free play at Mandalay Bay last month. My host said that they can never switch out FB with free play. I usually travel with the wife and kids. They like the cheap buffet and the pools. Dad likes to gamble. Rarely can I use $500 in food during a 2 night stay. I'm not going to take the critters to Spago. I've only ever been able to change my FB into FP and that was at the Borgata in AC.

 

I wonder why that is. What difference does it make to the casino, whether it's $500 in food, or $500 in FP? I guess the potential to win money off FP is there, but if you're a big enough gambler to even get FP in the first place, chances are you're going to put it right back to the casino.

I hate the resort credits because between MyVegas, TR comps and my preference for cheaper food in places outside of my main hotel, I never use the full amount. Guess that's what they hope for.

 

100$ in food and drinks always costs the casino maybe 20-30$. 100$ FP is worth 100$ and puts the casino at risk for A lot more.
Please correct me if i'm seeing this wrong.

 

Exactly right. If it was just a business decision, then maybe they'd follow CET's route and swap freeplay out at half the rate of resort credit. To avoid confusion, I don't know if they do that kind of a trade on an offer but that is the conversion rate for their tier credits. My $20 or so that I earn in tier credits can be $20 for dinner or $10 in freeplay. I like that flexibility and it's why I haven't completely ditched CET yet.

 

The only bartering I've ever been able to do with resort credit was at Aria through a host, I waived the credit in exchange for an additional room night, and that was 2 or 3 years ago.

I agree that they try to keep a cap on freeplay due to the upside risk, but I also think the casino has to pay a restaurant or hotel bar the full value when you use resort credit. Now if if the restaurant/bar is owned by the hotel, to the parent company it's kind of like taking money out of one pocket and putting it in the other, but the casino and the hotel are still separate accounting entities.

 

How does resort credit work for CET? Is it put on your room and you just charge things to it or is it given to you in reward credits? I've always had freeplay on my offers but this is the first time I will have both freeplay and resort credits on my offer

 

It is deducted from your room charges on your bill.

 

Thanks

 

Grid, No TR? I have read everything on your site and was wondering when you planned to take your next trip.