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The age old pay vs. comp, play concentration dilemma

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by nubia11, Jul 23, 2013.

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  1. nubia11

    nubia11 Low-Roller

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    There have been lots of threads on this topic over the years but, yes, I'm starting another one. :snore: More of a brain dump.

    We've decided that we can swing a quick trip in a few weeks. Hooray! Now to decide where to stay. We have comp room offers at all CET props as well as Cosmopolitan. There's a big part of me that says just stay at Cosmo. After all, its free, overall good quality, we've enjoyed past stays and, hey...its free. My idiotic dilemma is, I'm kind of burned out on the CET props and Cosmopolitan so, I'm actually considering paying to stay at Aria. What kind of madness?!?!?!?Let's see, Cosmo for free or the resort next door for a couple hundred out of pocket. Hmm.

    So, one part of me says, hey, you've never stayed at Aria, the rate is pretty good for the property, you like the general vibe, service and gaming on the floor. Why not? Give it a shot, make the move to Mlife (ready to back off TR for a bit), spend a little cash for a new adventure in the desert oasis. The other part of me says, you are insane to PAY to stay at a property right next door to one that is giving you free digs. Stay at Cosmo, play at Aria and, maybe next trip, you'll get an Aria offer (unlikely given that I don't fit Aria's comp profile based on what I've read).

    I guess what it comes down to is that I like the variety of offerings in Las Vegas and tend to want to change it up every now and again. Its just hard to walk away from a freebie at a perfectly acceptable resort to change it up.

    Coin flip, perhaps?

    Side note. I've primarily concentrated my play at CET and Cosmopolitan over the past couple of years so, don't see much offer action from MGM properties. Currently Mlife Pearl, most points from VP play.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2013
  2. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    I can't offer much advice, as I have the same situation. Really good Mirage offer, but I'm actually considering paying to stay at the Wynn because I'd like to get on their radar.

    I may just end up staying at Mirage and spending some time at the Wynn. I'm not sure I can turn down $500 in free play.

    How about staying at the Cosmo, but spending some of your time at Aria so you will maybe start getting some offers from them.
     
  3. nubia11

    nubia11 Low-Roller

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    I think this may be the route I end up going. I've been getting pretty consistent room comps from Cosmo so hate to burn my bridges by low playing them but, I'm really ready to change up the scene a bit.

    Yeah, I wouldn't be able to walk away from $500 in play either. :thumbsup:
     
  4. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    stay for free at Cosmo. Add the Aria cost to your bankroll. Playing there some should at least generate some offers.
     
  5. aggie182

    aggie182 Off Key and Out of Tune

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    It would depend on how big of a % Aria was to my bankroll. If it was a 'drop in the bucket', go for it. If not, take the free room and walk next door.
     
  6. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    In the past MGM has been much better to me (a low roller) with back end comps than CET. You might find that you get a decent ammount comped off even if you stay at Aria. Not to mention you will generate better future offers than you would if you just played a little there.
     
  7. nubia11

    nubia11 Low-Roller

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    Well, there's a thought. I'm not sure how back end comps are with MGM props these days. I get the impression they apply your points then go to discretionary if play merits. I'm a little greedy with points so I'm not a huge fan of this method but, I could cover the room with points.
     
  8. jrinct1

    jrinct1 VIP Whale

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    I have learned the hard way. I don't play for comps. I have had a 50$ meal cost me 10X more because of having to play for a certain time or amount.
     
  9. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    It's not about playing for comps. It's about if he plays enough to get decent comps at CET and Cosmo then there is a good chance he wont end up paying all of the rate they are quoting him.

    I don't play for comps, but I will gladly stay for them. i.e. much like the OP I will go where the offers are.
     
  10. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    what you need to do is plan this out beforehand. if you'd have put some play in at Aria on your last trip, you'd probably have an offer you could use. plan a trip or 2 ahead with what you might want to do next time and then you don't have to come out of pocket.
     
  11. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    I had to make the same decision a few years back.
    I always got free rooms or suites at Caesars/Rio/Paris but was ready to try something else.
    Booked a room on the MGM website and after a couple days talked to a host.

    I have not stayed at a CET property since then.
    Give it a shot.
     
  12. nubia11

    nubia11 Low-Roller

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    What is this "planning" you speak of? :eek: I actually have put in a little play at Aria and have some okay offers but, I tend to commit more of my gaming time and bankroll to my home casino. So, yes, given that I'm ready to change up my home resort and, given my tendency to play where I stay, I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestion that I need to look to my future plans to help inform my choices for the next trip.

    I'm going with Aria. Can't wait!
     
  13. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    And of course, they can pick up your room at Aria this time if you play enough, which will solve your entire dilemma
     
  14. PSM

    PSM High-Roller

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    If your bankroll was at the same level as my bankroll (true low roller), then a few hundred dollars to stay at Aria would be pretty significant. In this case, I'd take the freebie stay at Cosmo but set aside whatever money would have gone towards the Aria room and play at least that much at Aria, perhaps even split the rest of my bankroll to make the Aria play a little more noticeable. I'd low play Cosmo a bit but nothing too major. Walk the fine line.

    In reality, though, it sounds like your bankroll is MUCH larger than mine based on your comp offers you've mentioned. In this case, I'd probably book Aria and cross my fingers that by the end of the trip they'll cover my room. Even if it ends up coming out of your points instead of any discretionary, it's only a minor setback while making a significant positive step towards your longer-term goal of getting great offers from Aria on your next few trips.

    A straight up swap of your home casino isn't going to happen without some sort of setback, so you should accept that as an inevitability first, then figure out how to make it as "smooth" as possible, financially speaking. Neither of these options seems too bad considering what you wanna do and what your bankroll seems to be.
     
  15. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I'd say go for Aria as long as it isn't something like 50%+ of your bankroll. If it is a massive amount, some of my assumptions just go away.


    1) You said you are getting tired of CET. Right there tells me that you may end up enjoying your vacation more if you stayed away from CET for a trip or 2.

    2) Opening up MLife wouldn't be a bad thing.


    Again a lot of this is based off that idea that spending that extra won't be the only thing on your mind the entire trip. Yes it is just across the street but we all know there can be a massive difference from one casino to the other. If the money isn't significant, then the worst case is you had a trip in Vegas, probably a great time and decide that CET/Cosmo is fine next time. Best case is you have a great time and you found a new home for the next few trips. :)
     
  16. lmondun

    lmondun Low-Roller

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    Did you try directly contacting a host or even just calling casino marketing at Aria? Luring in players from competing properties seems to be a major part of a host's job.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
     
  17. nubia11

    nubia11 Low-Roller

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    Thanks to all for the great comments and advise! We are officially booked at Aria for a rate of $79/night (+fees). The offer includes a few bucks in resort credit and a couple free buffets so, all in all a good deal and one I am perfectly comfortable covering out of pocket in lieu of a comp stay at Cosmo.

    It's funny how easy it is to lose perspective on the bang for the buck that Las Vegas still offers. I have to remind myself now and again that it can set you back $70-125/night to stay at a Notel Motel Motor Inn and Shootery while road tripping across the middle of nowhere Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Utah...so yeah, I think $79/night at Aria is going to be just fine.

    Looking forward to the MGM Mirage adventure.
     
  18. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    I totally hear ya and I suffer from the same problem as well. We took a trip to Lake Charles, LA (closest casinos to us) last weekend and since the only one of the two casino hotels that takes dogs was booked up I had to pay $132 at a La Quinta. I was like, OMG I can stay at Wynn for that much!
     
  19. fluffygrrrl

    fluffygrrrl Tourist

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    I agree when rates are cheap, why not try a new casino? I like staying at a different casino every time I go even though I get freebies in the mail, I try to stay at least a few days somewhere new..or do the comped rooms on the weekend, and do another casino during the week to save $... I like variety, it keeps everything interesting
     
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