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Time to switch from CET to MGM? Advice appreciated!

Discussion in 'Comps' started by nkedge, Jan 5, 2013.

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  1. nkedge

    nkedge Tourist

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    Curious what the experts around here would recommend in my situation. Background: I've been a low level diamond at CET for a couple years now, mostly table games ($25-50 BJ, $10 craps) with some $1 VP thrown in and an occasional slots game to kill time. I live in TN but rarely get to any CET properties except Vegas so the "locals" aren't really a consideration.

    I missed requalifying for Diamond in 2013 by about 1k points (more on that below) so I'm considering moving my play to MGM. I visit Las Vegas 5-6 times a year. In terms of comps, I value upfront rooms the most. Would my level of play get any attention at MGM? Would I be better off sticking with CET?

    In regards to missing Diamond, I usually earn 1500-2500 Tier Credits during a "normal" stay of 2-3 nights. While staying at Ceasars in December I spoke with a host before checkout as usual and she told me that my play didn't warrant any additional comps. I don't ever expect much, but this was the first time I was flat out denied anything (not even internet charges). She said the best she could do was apply the roughly $30 of RCs to my account, so I said go ahead since I was checking out in the early morning and wouldn't have a chance to speak with anyone again before I left. I got home to find out that I earned only about 200 TCs on my trip despite my usual amount of play and on top of it all the host didn't even apply the RCs to my bill. :confused: Perhaps needless to say, this experience is also making me wonder if it's time to move from CET. Like I said, I don't expect much, but it certainly feels like I got shorted in comparison to all of my previous experiences with CET.

    Thanks again for any advice! The main goal is to have a good time, but at the same time I want to make sure my comps are in line with expectation.
     
  2. Bamfbowhunter

    Bamfbowhunter Low-Roller

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    I am moving back to cet after being at MGM. I too value up front rooms and have always recieved them from cet. I moved to MGM and have had to pay for a room the last 3 trips. I will be going back to cet for my feb trip.
     
  3. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    Seems like most are going the opposite of what you are thinking. I wouldnt jump ship over one bad experience. CET has always worked much better for me.
     
  4. JRAinDC

    JRAinDC Tourist

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    I ended up with about 13,000 TCs with CET last year, so similar to you. I like to have status with a couple different clubs so I try to earn enough to re-qualify as diamond and then take a lot of play elsewhere. I'm a longtime Mlife player but they have gone down hill and are so tight with comps now. I'm still finding Treasure Island and Venetian/Palazzo to be generous so maybe try there.
     
  5. dalej42

    dalej42 Low-Roller

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    I'm leaving MGM to switch to CET. Two free nights at an MGM property, but i have to pay resort fee for 3 days? Ugh.
     
  6. RodneyK

    RodneyK Tourist

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    If comped nights upfront is your thing stick with CET.
     
  7. gpenguins67

    gpenguins67 High-Roller

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    i think that you will have some decent comps and free rooms in the beginning but it will probably dwindle off. I have been staying at MGM properties exclusively for around 7 years now (usually 1-2 trips a year. My play has doubled but my comps have been cut down by 2/3's in the past 2 years. I used to always get 3 free nights guaranteed and they usually comped my 4th night with mixed freeplay and food comps and now they offer me 1 night with nothing else.

    But on the flip side my buddy who has been to vegas twice managed to score 3 free nights, 200 in free play and 100 in food comps. Like I said he has only been to vegas 2 times and never had a room under his name. We play a very similar mix of games but i would stay he puts in about half of what i spend.
    This kinda shows me that they will do more for the new business than to their loyal customers... so you might get lucky with mgm for a year or so.
     
  8. nkedge

    nkedge Tourist

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    Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like sticking with CET is the way to go if I want to keep up with free rooms, then. Shame since I was sort of looking forward to a change of scenery! :p

    As far as my perceived under-comp in December, do you think it would be worth attempting to discuss it with a host while I'm in town? I'm sort of irritated since it was the difference between requalifying for Diamond or not as I had sort of assumed that my average play would put me back over the threshold.
     
  9. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    I would def discuss it with a host. Maybe they will throw you a little something to help you out. Never hurts to ask.
     
  10. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    I moved most of my play in Las Vegas to MGM from CET several years ago as I am a table player and get better comps at MGM properties.
    I am still a Diamond at CET through my play in AC.
    A couple thoughts on your situation.

    You were at Caesars,CET looks at that as their flagship property and the comp charges on their rooms is way too high.You might qualify for more,without knowing how long you played,at their lower tiered properties.
    Ballys,Flamingo,Harrahs might offer you more.
    It works the same way at MGM.Aria and Bellagio won't comp as much as Luxor,Excaliber,Monte Carlo etc.
    Either way ,at $50 a hand you will probably get offers for free rooms from both companies although MGM operates differently.
    Next time there go to Monte Carlo,MGM,Luxor or one of the other ones and give them a few hours of play.You will probably get offers from that property.
     
  11. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    I received about a dozen offers from CET for 2, 3 or 4 nights and some pretty nice extras. One was for $300 in Free Play.

    Just two offers from MGM for 2 nights and $50 Free Play.

    For now I will stick with CET.
     
  12. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I would give Mlife a shot. CET is my primary but I've cultivating alternatives just in case. And with the program changes, I am glad I have.
     
  13. domeboy

    domeboy VIP Whale

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    One of the advantages of CET Total Rewards for me is the fact they have alot more properties nationwide. I can earn points both in AC and Vegas, and get free rooms in both places. If you dont have enough play to get decent offers in two programs, Total Rewards has some definite advantages.
     
  14. drfaust

    drfaust Low-Roller

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    I get rated at around $55/hand for 4-5 hours/day playing BJ, plus about $5-6k coin-in on VP, and my offers from MGM properties are nothing more than 'casino rate', which is often more expensive than the rate they advertise to non-players on their website. So, in sum, I get nothing up-front from them. However, I can usually get one night (of usually 2 or 3) and some food comped off my bill at the end of my stay by talking to a host, though they don't offer to 'take care of me' next time I come.

    I hit my local Harrah's occasionally, and when I check rates for vegas properties with CET, I generally see mid-week comps at the lower tier properties (Flamingo, Bally's South Tower, etc), but charges on the weekend and charges at all of the other properties (much cheaper than the MGM hotels, though).

    But, I just enjoy the MGM properties so much more, and they have much better BJ rules than the CET properties, so I stick with MGM when I go and eat the room charge.

    So... hope my experience helps you see how the two programs reward my level of play (which sounds similar to yours). Funny, though, I always feel like I'm getting under-comped based on what I read on this board. Other people who play similar levels seem to have suite offers coming out their rears, and I get squat.
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2013
  15. JRAinDC

    JRAinDC Tourist

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    I think Treasure Island would take care of you with your betting pattern.
     
  16. drfaust

    drfaust Low-Roller

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    Never tried there, though I usually stay at the Aria -- they're notoriously stingy with comps, from what I understand (at least for people at my level). This time I'll be at the MGM, which is also a great hotel. Hopefully giving them some play will put me on their marketing radar screen.

    I'll give a report when I come back in a couple of weeks.
     
  17. darrenfromindy

    darrenfromindy Low-Roller

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    I would encourage you...as a blackjack player...to think about how much the free rooms are actually costing you to play at CET joints. The rules and much lower house edge at MGM props make up for stingier up front comps in my opinion.
     
  18. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    I play both ends of the sword. High Platinum with CET and low Platinum with MGM. My ADT is pretty much the same with both of them, I just logged in a couple more MGM stays last year. I have free rooms pretty much everywhere with both. I have never once been asked to pay a resort fee at the HOTEL, Mirage, Bellagio or MGM on my comp. It might say so in your confirmation, but I was told its there in every confirmation but I've never been charged. I hear NY NY & Monte Carlo do make you pay this though.

    With CET I get my room, and thats it. With MGM its always room and something else. $100 dining credit, $200 in free or a couple show tickets etc. So for me, its MGM all the way. Outside of a random, charge $10 in food to your room and we will credit it offer with CET I've never gotten anything more than the room.
     
  19. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    If you decide to play CET some, and want Diamond for the rest of this year and all of next year (2014)... you should be able to get it after two visits.

    2500 in once day, plus 5,000 bonus gets you 7,500. Do that twice and you are Diamond.
     
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