I don't know if this has been discussed but I have a serious concern with upgrades. I hope this makes some sense: I'm very certain that the room type I ask my host for has a certain dollar value attached to it. Before my play can be applied to other comps, I have to first 'play off' my room and other promos. So why everyone else is always trying to score suite upgrades I'm wondering if these work against me. If I'm not with my gf or large group, I'm ok not having a suite and usually ask for a king room. If I get upgraded at check in, which happens, do I now how to play off the price of the upgraded room or the original room booked by my host?
You are absolutely correct on this--if you are a comped player, and are upgraded on check in, you will have to "play off" the value of the room you are actually in before additional food and bev comps are applied by your host. I have talked w hosts at Aria and Bellagio about "just taking a regular room" even if they are willing to offer a suite so that I have more room for them to comp food and beverage. They agree that this makes sense. Those most eager to be upgraded either are not expecting food and bev comps on the back end, don't understand the system, or are playing so high that it really doesn't matter.
While I never get a bill, I don't like having to play off a giant suite I don't need. I'd rather spend that money on other comps. Everyone else in the world is trying the "20 dollar" trick and I'm turning down large suite upgrades.
Yes, several years ago I was booked in a Bellagio Suite. At check-in I was upgraded to a Penthouse without asking as a Bellagio Suite was not available. My host had to confirm with the front desk that I received an 'operational upgrade' (my phrase) before she would assess my play against the Bellagio Suite, rather than the Penthouse. That certainly suggests that requesting an upgrade and flashing the $20 would have left me with a higher play requirement for RFB at the end of the trip.
OP is spot on at almost all properties with which I have experience, including Bellagio, Mirage, MGM, WynnCore, TI. Gotta "pay off" the room before they comp anything else. However, if you actually pay for your room yourself upfront, then all comps from that visit go to your account to comp food/beverage/rooms. This can be to your advantage, as sometimes retail rates can be lower than casino rates (which is what is typically deducted from your comp account). Hope this helps!
depends on whether you've booked it via corporate offers or via host if via corp offer, the most evil (yet no recourse) action is to take the comp room then play exclusively at a different chain (e.g. stay at MGM comped but play only at Wynn/Encore) That way your low amount of play could still score a nice dinner at Wynn without having to "earn back your room". And don't speak to any host about "reviewing your play" cuz that'll just get you manually red-flagged. Only downside : much worse offers from mLife in the future. But given how yucky their offers are, can it be any worse ?? :Þ
But if you've booked it via an offer, getting an upgrade is pretty unlikely anyway, because they're going to check with a host before they upgrade you.
Exactly if your play deserved the bigger suite your host would have put you in it in the first place. $20 trick is only good for paid rooms or room comp only offers.
If you're the type of person who doesn't need the ego stroke of a large suite, yet your play earns you such, taking a smaller suite or regular room gives you more discretionary comps to play with in the form of meals or other items you might value more.
Let's not make it about ego. Everyone has their own reasons for what they do. I take a regular room if I'm travelling alone, but prefer a suite if I'm with my wife. It's part of why she lets me come to vegas, and having a second bathroom makes getting ready faster.
at the palms when i was up grade to a fantesy tower becuase i asked for it ,when i checked out there was a extra dollar figure added in to see what else would be comped off.
Shifter, My host tells me that I qualify for the larger suites but I don't see the need for them on most trips so I opt for a regular room so I can max out FB, Limos, club tables etc. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being foolish. So to confirm, you do indeed have to play off the suite you are actually in regardless if you've booked a lower tier room by host. Agreed?
I didn't realize I had to play off the value of the room before additional comps started accruing... thanks for the info!