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Host Pecking Order Question

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by smartone, Oct 16, 2012.

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  1. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    OK all, I need your thoughts... I called the Hard Rock today, as I've gone a couple days without response from my host (Executive Casino Host) of 3 years. I found out he's left the property. He was a very popular there and staff always told me I was hooked-up with a great host.

    Anyways, I asked for the host on duty, as I needed to get a reservation placed for the first part of next week.

    I was given to a fella who sounded young and said he's been there for 3 months and isn't yet listed on their website. His title (from an e-mail) states he's a Casino Ambassador. I note from the website that there's a few Directors of Player Development, several Executive Casino Hosts, Casino Hosts and Casino Ambassadors (listed descending in that order). I assume the Casino Ambassadors are the lower folks on the pecking order?

    He was very nice and sure was attentive to my reservation. He sounded really happy to assist me!

    My question is... do I stick with this fella for the future or ask to be assigned to someone more senior?

    For reference, and I know many of you already know this, I'm not a huge gambler, but do stay there 40-50 nights a year. I have gambled and spent enough to be at the Platinum (highest) level of their rewards program (Back Stage Pass). Business reimburses me for my room, food and travel related expenses, so I'm not a demanding customer in term of comps, etc. I prefer to let all my business-travel build up points/perks for the times when I do visit for fun. I do like working with the host to secure premium concert tickets at The Joint and generally just having a "go to" person at the property. My previous host always responded to my e-mails within an hour or so and I always got the room I wanted on the floor I wanted.

    Does the pecking order matter for what I've described?
     
  2. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    I've known my present host ever since he was a box man on the craps tables. Do I get extra perks for that? :evillaugh
    This new guy may be a blessing for you. You can always change later.
     
  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    the level of the host means only a little bit compared to the individual. sometimes there is an advantage to working with a senior level host in that he can get more done for you. but if the other 98% of the time he's not very attentive and doesn't remember your requests, who cares? that's the case at the Beau where i choose to work with a base level casino host even though i know the senior exec and director of marketing because she takes great care of me. she never forgets anything i ask and always goes out of the way for me. those guys at the top are too busy with other stuff to be good hosts on an individual level. and at other properties i work with the senior exec or director or marketing because they're great.

    the lower level hosts are often go getters who go above and beyond because they want to create a nice player base. of course, sometimes they totally suck and are worthless. if this guy was nice and attentive, give him a chance to prove himself. if it doesn't work out, just go into the host office sometime and find someone new.
     
  4. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    If you like him, keep him. You can always change later if you're not happy.
     
  5. DReynolds86

    DReynolds86 Let's Go Pens!

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    Why not take a guy who's lower on the totem pole and help build him up a little bit?
     
  6. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Great advice all... after I placed my reservation for next week and early November thru him, he sent me a very nice e-mail thanking me for making it easy for him to take over from the other host. He asked me to let him know when I arrived on the property so he could meet me.
     
  7. SikDmax

    SikDmax Low-Roller

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    Sounds like youve got a winner!
     
  8. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Sounds promising but I will say they all promise you the world upfront. The key is finding one that follows through with what they say they'll do.
     
  9. Vladimir

    Vladimir Low-Roller

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    My view is it's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a big fish in a tank full of whales. If you are one of this guy's best players, he is going to take better care of you than an exec who has hundreds of players at or above your level.
     
  10. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    yes, that's definitely true. the only exception is that hosts at the top have more leeway. especially these days where everything is controlled by the computer and every host has someone looking over their shoulder, this can be a big advantage to getting things done that wouldn't normally be allowed. so sometimes it does pay to have a host that's at the top even if he does have a bunch of bigger players than you.
     
  11. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    I think the pecking order is something like:

    Casino Marketing
    Executive Host
    Senior Executive Host
    VP of Something
    CEO
    Shareholders
    Casino Ambasador

    So I'd say you're pretty well hooked up.


    Though on a serious note younger folks are trying to build contacts. They might not get you everything you need but they should work a lot harder than someone 20-years in the business that no longer cares.
     
  12. JillyFromPhilly

    JillyFromPhilly Tourist

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    The best host to have is the one who is honest, takes the time to get to know you & anticipates your needs, and always does their best to make sure you are well taken care of - other than that, I don't think it makes much sense to be too concerned with their rank, as really anymore unless you're a big enough player where you want to maybe get a better table at dinner, better seats at an event, or into a better suite than what you might otherwise get, or where if you for whatever reason underplay on a trip the resulting overcomp would be substantial, there's really not all that much else they're allowed to do for you that's discrentionary anymore - so I'd say unless you're at a level where having a higher ranking host who's going to stick out their neck for you in a situation like that would actually make a difference, you're probably better off with a lower-ranking host who will have you higher on their priority list and be able to give you more of their time, and who you'll matter enough to that they'll want to spend whatever discretionary capital they have on you - because let's face it, in the most of the types of situations where having a higher-ranking host would really matter, odds are if you're lower down on their client list there's almost always going to be other bigger players that are the one's they'll be spending whatever discretionary clout they do have on getting those little extras for over you anyway.
     
  13. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    although if you asked the low level hosts i'm sure the answer you would get would be more like this:

    CEO
    VP of everything
    Director of everything
    Senior of everything
    Executive of everything
    Casino anything
    Player's Club Representatives
    Janitors
    carpet lint
    Casino Ambassador
     
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