is Mirage the test site for new MGM rules?

I've been hearing that the Mirage is the first hotel to test out the following MGM changes:

Removal of traditional room service. Apparently room service comes in a take out bag delivered to your room?

No more comp drinks unless in high limit room?

Anyone heard of this? Can anyone confirm?

 

if room service arrived in under an hour I'd probably be very grateful for that take-out bag

 

I have not heard any of that. Where did you hear it? The part about room service doesn't seem to make sense. They still have to pay someone to deliver it to your room. What's the additional cost to the way they do it now. I assume they aren't renting the tables with wheels, lol

 

I can't find it on their stupid new websites, but I vaguely remember at least one MGM property having an "express" room service option where there were a limited number of choices which would be delivered to you in essentially a take-out container. I'd be very surprised if they fully got rid of room service, since, not only is UK right about it being a minimal extra cost (although I guess they might save money on dishes, etc.), but given the prices they charge for basic stuff like eggs and pizza, I'm sure their margins are significant. And plenty of people order room service in Vegas; it's not like in New York, where hotels actually are getting rid of room service because it doesn't make much sense to keep running that in house when people are just ordering off of Seamless and what-not.

As to the removal of comp drinks, I'd be highly surprised. To paraphrase one of the overnight bartenders at Lift Bar, you know what kinds of decisions people will make if they're sober? Good ones. And that's not what the casino wants. Not to mention, the infrastructure that would have to be put in to start charging on the main floor would be a huge pain in the ass.

 

No free drinks would really boost the casino revenue, not. That would be a suicide. If the drinks wouldn't be free I honestly think I'd stop going to Vegas or at least stop gambling.

 

Funny, no mention of parking charges.

 

Mirage stopped comping top shelf liquor except in the high limit room. They definitely still give free drinks. You might just be drinking 1800 instead of Don Julio.

 

No free drinks would be a very dumb thing to do. Which means they'll probably do it.

 

I guess getting rid of comped drinks would be on the same level with making people pay for parking ... but could you imagine the hassle? Having to create tabs/pay by the drink while you're on the casino floor? Seems too cumbersome and just idiotic. If they took away my free drinks, I'd stop gambling in a heartbeat. I only gamble to drink for free. Or, should I say, "drink for free."

 

"The last of my cash is in the slot machine... can I pay with my credit card?
Ugh, they want to call for authorization... do you have a phone?"

"No these drinks were on separate tabs, can you split this bill please?"

"This machine is out of paper... can you wait at the table for a few minutes while I go and refill it?"

It's not so much paying for the drinks that would bother me, it's watching the stupid interactions that will ensue.

 

A casino near home here in Pittsburgh doesn't offer free drinks to their non-elite gamblers (a MUCH larger number than their elite gamblers) and that casino is very busy. Yes, I know it's not Vegas, but if you think people won't gamble without free drinks, I'm not sure that's true.

Again, it's not Vegas where there is a heck of a lot more competition, so there's that dynamic. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

I agree with you I would be shocked it Mirage got rid of room service except for express take out. Mandalay Bay has a full room service menu but they also offer a express take out for those on the run for breakfast and lunch. I thought a few other M-Life properties also offered that.

 

In some states (MD at least, and I think PA) comping drinks is illegal. They still have CWs and you pay for your drinks, CET and MGM already know how to do this!

 

My thoughts: Any hotel even hoping for any higher end business needs to have "real" room service with china, cutlery, and glassware provided. Many states outlaw comping of alcohol, and casinos manage to charge for it. I don't see that ever working in Nevada, the competitive pressures are just too high.

 

Never say never.
I could see a scenario where the state legislature enacts a law banning comp drinks, at the behind the scene behest of the casinos.
It's not like they don't have the clout over the law makers in Nevada.
The casinos would wring their hands about how awful it is....wink, wink....but they're hands are tied, so they have to start charging.
Then from Reno to Laughlin they'll watch the $$ they save roll in and not have to worry about the "competition" problem and get to blame it all on Carson City.

 

Comped drinks still brings in money to Vegas. Most people, including myself, tip the CW's $1-$2-$3 etc. That money is revenue whether it be the CW's, Bartenders, Hotel, etc. Comped rooms, Dinners, Shopping, etc is bringing in money for that particular property.
Vegas will never stop comped drinks or comped rooms or whatever.
If a property ceases to comp drinks in the casino, people will go elsewhere, and that customer will also take their money for food, shopping, etc. away as well.

Having been in casinos for a long time, most people still do tip in the casino.........that's why most of them look pretty and wear revealing outfits and smile.

So, when i tip a CW in a casino, my money is helping her finance a better job later on, her kids at XMAS time, and can keep her independent financially for the time being. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

 

I was there two weeks ago, the room service was all from The Pantry & it was just take out containers. We didn't order but the menu stated that. We did still get free drinks, in fact the waitress came around a lot more this time.

 

Have heard nothing about comped drinks being stopped--think that is just a rumor
Curious--where did you hear that?
If it were true there would be a lot of comments on this board

 

Don't think Vegas will ever get rid of comped drinks because I really don't think it costs the casino all that much. The reason for that statement is when people drink they tend to get more loose with their cash so they will spend more while getting greased on those "free" drinks. And the way casinos buy in bulk that bottle of Grey Goose we pay $35.00 - $40.00 dollars for they get for 1/2 that. Case of Bud bottles can't see it costing them more than $10.00. So when you or me put that extra $20.00 in the machine or drop chips while on the table waiting for that freebie we are paying to ensure comped drinks .... Just my toughts

 

Gambled at The Mirage last Friday. Friends and I had no problem getting comped drinks and/or beers playing quarter video poker. We even did a group pull on the dollar Green Machine, all of us got comped drinks and we made a little money.
Was refused Meyer's rum or Makers Mark at Aria though.