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etiquette for tipping a host

Discussion in 'Comps' started by TOsmallfish, Mar 24, 2013.

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  1. TOsmallfish

    TOsmallfish Tourist

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    Hello all.

    Probably some posts on this alrdy so I apologize for asking again.
    Been a while since I posted. Have a vegas trip coming up and wanted to give a gift rather then money. Small background. I am by no means a High Roller. I get corporate offers for 2 week days and $99 weekend rates at the Bellagio. Took me 4 trips last year to hit platinum on mlife. I have a host there that I got introduced to from a friends hi roller father. I email him before every trip and he comps me upfront 5 nights or however long I'm staying with late checkout all the time.

    His fellow co host helped me last trip getting into clubs at the B and I wanted to give them a bottle of alcohol as a gift instead of the usual $50 or $100 bill in an envelope. Is it improper (conflict of interest) if I were to give the bottle of alcohol (gift wrapped) the first day I can see them? Or is it a rule I should be giving at the end of the trip before I fly out?

    Opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.
     
  2. Vegas24_7

    Vegas24_7 Degenerate

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    Hosts are actually not allowed to receive cash tips as it is a conflict of interest. They do say however that they can accept gift certificates and material gifts. So a bottle of alchohol should be ok. I think thiese rules are typically followed by hosts however I do have at least one I know of who'll gladly accept cash as long as no one saw. LOL. The white envelope might work as well if they played dumb by not asking what's in there.
     
  3. Dege6

    Dege6 Tourist

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    In 15 years as a degenerate gambler :wink2:, I have never, ever had a host refuse or say they could not accept my little thank you note with cash (in a sealed envelope, naturally), at any property, including several MGM. I always get a smile and heartfelt thanks. There's nothing wrong with a gift card or specific gift (if you know they like wine, for example), but to me, cash is king and universally appreciated. The "no tipping" policy may be in place, but it isn't enforced, as far as I know. :peace:
     
  4. Tellafriend

    Tellafriend MIA

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    The no cash tipping is bullshit. They all take it. While the bottle of liquor is a nice thought, it looks bad as he has to walk through the casino with it and through their lounge out to parking and what if that was a bottle he comped to you (which yes I've done repeatedly), its just not the best. They prefer cash, period. If he's a friend, then take him to PH and give him $500 to gamble with while you and he watch the stippers perform while you gamble. A good time indeed....
     
  5. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    I have done this several times and it is indeed fun for everyone!
     
  6. Vegas24_7

    Vegas24_7 Degenerate

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    I'm not sure if you are saying the no cash tip rule is BS or if the rule itself doesn't exist. But I know for sure as I've asked in more than 1 property if I can leave a cash tip for the host (when I couldn't find them while checking out) and they said it is against their policy. I was just simply stating what I was told the policy was in the casinos. The hosts themselves I'm sure will gladly take it as long as it's given in an envelope and that they "don't know" what is in there until they get home. :cheers:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 25, 2013
  7. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    My host does everything for me beforehand so I rarely see her, and when I do, I have to think about it to recognize her, so it's not like I can hand her an envelope and I would not even know where to leave it.

    What I have done and she was appreciative, was I sent an Edible Arrangement. It's something that's puts a smile on someone's face, tastes good and can be shared with others. An arrangement of various fruits and chocolate covered fruits. It's nice, fairly healthy and different.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Dege6

    Dege6 Tourist

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    People. There is no shortage of alcohol or various food items in Las Vegas. Think about it - anyone working in a casino has plenty of access to both, for free, all the time. What they don't have access to is unlimited $100 bills with which to pay their mortgage, medical co-pays, gas for the car, kids school expenses, etc. So trust - while they of course appreciate any gesture, $$$ is the ticket. Write a little thank you note up in your room, tuck some cash between the note, put it in an envelope, seal it, write their first and last name on it, and if you're really worried about it, write "personal" on the envelope too. You then either hand it directly to the host, or leave it at the host's office or players club desk. I have rarely handed it directly to the host - I mostly leave it at the players club. They always receive it. Everyone knows what's going on; no one cares. Never had a host tell me he/she got busted by the "tip police". :evillaugh In fact, nearly all my hosts have moved up into management over the years. Don't ask, don't tell. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. :rolleyes2:
     
  9. Voller

    Voller Tourist

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    Ok, for those that leave cash: how much? Assuming you are happy with the services being provided.
     
  10. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    I gotta be honest. I've talked with my hosts and they get so much crap like that, it just floats around the office and they really have no interest in getting even more. whatever you do is a nice gesture of goodwill, but they would much prefer you just give them a gift card or cash with whatever you would have spent on that.
     
  11. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    Point taken and I defer to your experience
     
  12. TOsmallfish

    TOsmallfish Tourist

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    Thanks shifter. I will just give cash in an envelope. ;) saves me some hassle anywayz. :p
     
  13. VegasGarden

    VegasGarden Low-Roller

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    lol Shifter - well said. Rare these days.

    Cash is King
     
  14. LAV

    LAV Tourist

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    I will further promote the idea "Cash is King."

    Most of the mid rollers, high rollers, and whales prefer this method of expressing their appreciation to a host.

    Not only is it most preferred by hosts, but it's also the most convenient way. Nothing more simple than putting some in an envelope and give it to them.

    As tellafriend suggested earlier, giving them items can be inconvenient as they have to lug it around.

    Shifter also shared how some hosts just really were not all that enthused to get gifted items.

    As for gift cards, it can be more of an inconvenience for you as you have to go buy them. I can understand if these are cards that are promotional offers that the casinos give you and you want to share with your host. Otherwise, cash is king.

    Realistically, a host may not tell you directly, but if you could read mind, he/she will say that cash is the only way.
     
  15. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Though we have given a gift (gift cards) to a few hosts, the whole idea seems insane to me.

    Their job is to take as much money from you as possible. They are instructed to offer just enough goodies (comps) to keep you spending and coming back. You can loose hundreds or thousdands, and they do not help you.

    Why do they need to get money for doing their job?
     
  16. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    We go around and around on this every time someone mentions tipping a host. You do it because you feel like it. If you don't feel like it, don't do it. No matter how many arguments people make on either side of the equation, that's what it's going to come back to. It's a personal decision. It can't be wrong, regardless of which way you go, because every person makes his or her own decision.

    The OP asked the ettiquette for giving the gift, not whether one should or not.
     
  17. tacallian

    tacallian Low-Roller

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    Does anyone have experience of receiving improved service as a result of tipping in this manner?
     
  18. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    I think my host treats me well and has been both honest and generous.
    She usually grants most of my requests, though I do not request a lot or anything crazy, and if there is something she can't do, which is rare, she's nice about it and explains that I'm outranked by other players for that type of comp.

    I know what I am, I am a solid low-mid roller. I am CET Diamond, make it no problem in about 3-4 trips, sometimes two and have done DIAD once. I know to put in my 4+ hours and I am an upper-level slot player, averaging over $3.50/$4 per spin.

    With that, and here's an example, next week, I have a nice offer with a significant (for me) amount of freeplay (way more than my airfare), and she's going to upgrade my room, airport limo service, a ticket to Shania Twain (just one, it's a solo trip) and as usual, I am sure most or all of my FB will be comp'd off at the end...no booze in there, since I don't drink, so it'll mostly be a buffet here and there and maybe PF Changs for dinner. So, I think she treats me well for my level of play, where I think other hosts would barely give me the time of day. I get personal service, where my wants and needs are granted (within reason).

    So why not drop a gift, card or tip?
    Do good by me, I do good by her.
     
  19. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    re: my earlier post


    Did not mean to criticize anyone that wants to tip. Was just making a comment for newbies that may think a tip is expected or even required.

    Sorry, just thinking out loud (and it hurts).
     
  20. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    In my situation, I think yes... I spend 50-60 nights a year at the Hard Rock, but I'm not a huge gambler by any stretch. My visits are primarily business-related and so I'll sit at a bartop VP machine for a couple hours in the evening unwinding. Tops I drop a $100 or $200 (hopefully I'll win some). I like having a host, or as I call a point person, at the property as a single point of contact. My association pays for my room and food, so I'm in a different situation that most of you.

    At my level of play nobody's gonna seek me out, so I introduced myself and got a host. Now after a couple years and a couple different hosts, I have a single person to contact for each visit. I don't tip much except a $50 gift-card a couple times a year to say THANKS!... Thanks for responding to my e-mails within an hour and taking my phone calls immediately, thanks for the studio-level concert tickets that I've received several times and the ringside seats I've enjoyed at boxing & MMA events at steep discounts, thanks for getting me the room I want on the floor I want and thanks in general for making me feel like a valued guest of the property by ALWAYS coming out to chat with me for a few minutes when I'm there.

    I understand that's THEIR JOB... but I like saying "Thank You" for doing it well for me.
     
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