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Can someone explain hosts?

Discussion in 'Comps' started by hieber, Feb 9, 2014.

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  1. hieber

    hieber Tourist

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    planning my 4th trip to vegas- can someone explain hosts to me -- when to get one? what they do for me? do I need to be a High Roller ? etc.etc.
     
  2. CJ's

    CJ's Plumbing the depths of debauchery

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    I engaged my host at the Aria 2 years ago after finding my level of play would warant comped room and food for my usual stay of a week at a time on my visits to Vegas. Have been going once a year every year since 2009, skippin 2010 as my GF said she hated it and didnt want to go back and it took another year for her to agree for me to goback on my own.:evillaugh
    I just E-mailed a slot host, I am predominantly a slot player, from their website and he checked my previous play and said no problem comping me for my visits. Even throws in Limo transferes too now. Usually only get a Delux King but they are nice enough that i dont want or need to go anwhere else.:thumbsup:
    I dont consider myself a "high" roller, low to med at best. Usual bank roll is $5k for the week and i have maintained Gold status every year, might make Platinum if i can get another visit in this year after an unusual new years visit this year.:beer:
    So it all depends on your level of play at which ever group you choose to spend your $$$ be it CET or Milf sorry Mlife :evillaugh.
    Choose your prefered hotel, check their website for contactable table / slot host and ask them to review your "play" from previous visits and see what they say, that's all i did :peace:

    Good luck :wave:
     
  3. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    Hosts work for the casino. They are like customer relations specialists whose job is to get players to come and stay and play at the casino.

    You don't need to be a high roller to get a host, but a host will be able to do more for you if you are a higher roller.

    For most low rollers the players club booth and mailers and email offers are usually good enough to meet their needs.

    Hosts can generally do more than what the players club booth can, but that doesn't mean they will. If you go to the players club booth and they are offering you $50 in free play and 2 nights comped that doesn't mean talking to a host is going to get you more free play and more free nights plus some show tickets and free dinners.

    If you like to "casino hop", that is to play around at a bunch of different casinos during your trip, then a host is probably not for you: their job is to get you to stay and play at their casino, not get you to come to Las Vegas so you can run all over the city playing everywhere else.

    If you are going to burn the casino, IE: you are going to take their free room and stuff but then light play in their casino (or no play them), if you go through the players club and do that its not that hard to rebuild your relationship with the casino and get the good offers to come rolling back in... if you do that to a host it could take a long time to rebuild that relationship.
     
  4. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Wide open question.

    Where do you play?
    What level are you at?
    What do you play?
    How much do you play?
    What sort of offers have been offered to you?
     
  5. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    Yeah, really need those answered to give a more specific answer.

    Bottom line is, if you have some play history and you play (for the sake of discussion) a couple hundred dollars a day (not "coin in," but the actual cash you play), at a company like Caesars/Harrah's you can likely get a room.

    Based on the level of play, it'll start in a basic room at like Quad, Harrah's or Bally's and as your level of play rises, so will the type of room, view and hotel.

    As said, a "Host" is a glorified sales person, who's job it is to gain your loyalty and make you happy.

    In return, you have some responsibility, and this is where some will argue a little, but in discussions with my host, there are a number of variables but for the most simplistic explanation, it's average bet and average time. The one factor that seems consistent with casinos is time and the key time of play they want to see is four (4) hours.

    If your bankroll can allow you an average bet of say $2.00-$2.50 per spin on a slot (easy to do on many of today's "penny slots"), which can be about .10 per line on a 25 line machine...which is usually the middle wager, and you put in 4 hours of play at that level, you can be assured of a decent room and nice offers.

    As for obtaining an actual host, you'll likely need (or let''s say should have) a play level I've described above over at least a couple trips to start, then either one will contact you by coming to your machine your playing (a rare occurrence) or you go to the high limit area and you'll usually find a desk there or hosts congregating, introduce yourself and say you'd like to talk about your play, they'll sit you down, look at your play and tell you what your level of play does or doesn't warrant.

    The person will likely give you a card, but trust me, they won't remember you, that'll take a few trips, so when you're ready to return, email a month or two in advance and ALWAYS include your player number, let them know your date of arrival, departure and ask "What can you do to help me out?"
     
  6. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    And, don't forget, the host is measured on how much money they bring into the casino. Smiles and friendliness goes only so far. Money is the final factor.
     
  7. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    Yup, money vs give-aways is the measure.

    Can't just give away rooms, shows and meals and not have players play.
    They don't care if you win or lose, they actually want you to win because that keeps you coming back, but you have to put in the time and have the average bet...meaning having the ADT...to justify whatever comps you receive.

    Again, as explained to me, they're reviewed monthly/quarterly on the amount their players bring in (again, it's not "lose," but played) and how much they give out. They need to stay within a certain percentage.
     
  8. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    You're right, we will disagree a little :thumbsup:. For the OP, keep in mind that if you get a host, you have NO responsibility to him or her. You have no obligation to play whatsoever. But at the same time, the host has NO responsibility to you, either. If you don't play (or play very little) that host may never return your calls or do anything for you in the future. So I disagree that there is any responsibility, but a host does have some expectation that you will play a certain amount in return for the comps you are given.

    Good luck
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  9. WindyCityJ

    WindyCityJ Tourist

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    I'm sort of in the same position as the OP. I'm Pearl MLIFE To answer these questions I'd say the following:

    Where do you play? Mirage Primarily, a bit at Bellagio, some poker at Venetian (I don't expect anything from the V)
    What level are you at? $25 pit games $10 Craps very little $0.25 and $1.00 VP
    What do you play? Green chip Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Black Jack. $10 Line Craps with $12 6 and 8 place bets which get pressed up (hopefully!)
    How much do you play? A few hours of poker per day, probably 4 or 5 hours of table games per day
    What sort of offers have been offered to you? Other than a free Superbowl weekend at Monte Carlo in 2005 (Which I'm sure was a feeler offer to try to develop me) I only get reduced room rates. And never via snail mail, rarely via email. I typically just call VIP services when booking a trip to see what kind of rate they can give me.

    Now, I know my play doesn't qualify for much, but it would sure be nice to get offered something once in a while. I have no desire to change how much I play or at what limit I play to earn comps. I typically take $2K to play and spend over a 3 day weekend once or twice a year. In the past 4 or so years I've always stayed at Mirage and do most of my gamin there.

    Is it even worth my time to talk to a host? My guess is no, it's not.

    Thanks.
     
  10. 4Eyes

    4Eyes Low-Roller

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    WCJ,

    If you are young (<30) and are perceived as upwardly mobile in a professional job, a casino like the Mirage is probably already taking note of your play. The reason many casinos call their top hosts "Director of Player Development" is because they often see a $25 player in their 20's become a $100 player in their 30's and a $500+ player in their 40's, etc. (BTW, your Poker play doesn't count.)

    At your level of play, the Mirage is a good place to start. Keep playing to your own budget, but perhaps think about opening up a commensurate credit line, perhaps $10k, and you will be on your way.

    As to the OP, the MLife and Total Rewards systems are strictly mathematical. For most players, mailers and web offers are the main avenues for receiving room and other comps, and they generally offer very good value for players that are flexible as to midweek rooms vs. weekends.

    In my experience, to really utilize the value of a host and potentially receive discretionary comps over a casino's standard formula, at major Strip hotels you need demonstrate, over several trips, your willingness, ability and history to risk and lose $20k - $25k on a weekend and still be ready and able to make a return trip on your normal schedule. Finding a casino that is appreciative of your level and type of play is key.
     
  11. WindyCityJ

    WindyCityJ Tourist

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    4E,

    Thanks for the reply. I'm old (40's). I'm not really interested in opening a credit line and will likely never risk 20K per weekend.

    I guess I wasn't clear on what I was getting at which was, basically, how can I maximize offers. I know I probably will never get free rooms, but an occasional resort credit or free play offer would be nice.

    I seem to read reports of people who I think play at the same level as me getting all sorts of offers. Why is it I NEVER have received an offer in the mail of any sort?

    Also, are the days of a pit boss comping a meal gone?

    Sorry if this is a hijack.
     
  12. 4Eyes

    4Eyes Low-Roller

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    WCJ,

    I too apologize if this is a hijack.

    At your level of play you should already be receiving offers for free (weekdays) and discounted (weekend) rooms. I suspect you are not always being rated for you table games play. Whenever you sit down at a table game, make sure you give the dealer or floorman your players card.

    Other than at Boyd properties, yes, (for most players) the days of a floorman writing a discretionary comp are over.
     
  13. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    The problem (for the gambler) is overall, a decent or good host will bring in more for the casino by conveying a responsibility to "do right by the host" and honour your "commitment to play", reciprocating the hosts "commitment to your comps". If it didn't work, the casinos would cut back / eliminate hosts for gamblers below high roller / whale status.

    I believe gamblers are better off not seeking comps at all, or self comping by booking rooms / offers w/o host involvement (and cashing in reward play, points, cash at the "insert players club" booth). I've been comped rooms + at every hotel / casino in Vegas with the exception of Wynn/Encore (discount rates) and V/P (never gamble there), and I never asked for or required the services of a host (though I have been approached in the past in person, via mail and phone). I might, however, be responsive if Sam Marquez offered her services. :thumbsup:
     
  14. jdvegas

    jdvegas VIP Whale

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    I agree with much of what VLV (seems to be the trendy way to refer to users in this thread :rolleyes2:) has to say - it is just human nature. Using player club offers is definitely the way to go, unless...

    If you are being given discretionary comps above and beyond your offer when you check out, it is time for a host. I think you will get value as long as you can withstand the physiological pressure to gamble more! :peace:
     
  15. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    windycityj

    for your level of table games, I think at excaliber and luxor you could get some extra discounts.

    otherwise, the hotel will just use your express comps (mlife or identity) at the end of each trip.

    Sign your self up on the mlife website and see what offers roll in. I do not get much by mail anymore, except for aria has some fancy mailers.

    as for hosts, If all you do is gamble, maybe drink or eat low key they cannot offer much. But if you like to get into certain events, they can bypass lines or help do the concierge's job.

    also, on occasion they can backend comp room charges that does not touch your points.

    fk
     
  16. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    I agree it's easy to allow the concept of having a host subconsciously play at a higher level than normal. If your bankroll is $1000 a day before, it should be the same after, unless you move into a financial position to allow greater risk.

    Your host relationship is predicated on your present play, with the hopes that over time your play will increase, but loyalty based on your present play is what they're basing your host need/request upon. You play up, they're happy. You play down, they're unhappy. Play same every time, then all is well with the world. This is what I meant by "you have a responsibility," but there is truth in that you have none at all, but bear in mind if you low-play or stiff your casino/host, your offers and/or relationship can suffer or vanish entirely.
    Now, once you establish a relationship and history, a casino (and host) can live with an occasional low-play trip, as people get sick, have business, friends/family along, etc, etc....but remember, you got the host/offers based on a certain level of play and there is a reasonable expectation on their part you will continue doing so, if you do not do so, your future offers will suffer
     
  17. drdm01

    drdm01 Tourist

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    WCJ,

    CET will give you 5 nights comped at their lower end properties for your level of play. You won't get a host but you can book through their web site. Just remember their blackjack rules are poor and stay away form their 6-5 blackjack games.
     
  18. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    It just sounds like you are getting zero offers which is strange. I don't get any offers via email or snail mail although it is possible it is going into spam folder. I play much less than you at MLife casinos and I can login to MLife website and see my offers there. They range from 2 free weekdays at Excalibur to $129/night for weekdays at Bellagio.
     
  19. WindyCityJ

    WindyCityJ Tourist

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    I always get better offers calling VIP services when booking a trip than I'm offered on the website.

    Right now the best I get on-line is $23 per night mid week at Excalibur. Which I'd never stay at BTW. Just using this as a barometer.

    Why do you think there's such a discrepancy in the offers we receive?
     
  20. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    The mlife website has been bizarre in the extreme recently in terms of what it shows you. Many of us who are eligible for significant comps at Aria and Bellagio see nothing but special rates on the website, and must call a host to hear the "real" offer. Annoying and confusing, but it is what it is.
     
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