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Should I try for a host?

Discussion in 'Comps' started by boxofbirds, May 27, 2014.

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  1. boxofbirds

    boxofbirds Royally Flushed

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    Hi all, I have a trip coming up in July and was wondering if a host would be able to get more comp value out of my play. I play BJ, craps, and occasionally other table games, plus VP and a bit of slots. I've been staying at Mlife properties my last 3 trips, but haven't played very much at any given property, so not really expecting much on my previously play, but in my future trip(s) I will have around a $10K bankroll to play with and plan to concentrate it with one property.

    So my questions:

    A) Am I crazy to think a host will want to talk to me with that kind of BR?

    B) Will opening a line of credit help at all with comps/attracting a host?

    C) So far I like playing at MGM Grand the best, but we will be staying at Aria and my Significant Other prefers to stay at the nicer Mlife properties. I assume it's better to have the host at the place you play the most, but what if we never want to stay at their property?

    D) I've read previous posts where they say to go to the VIP desk/Host at the end of the trip and see if they can use any discretionary comps to knock off charges. Is that the Mlife desk? Or where do I find this magical place?

    Hopefully not too much for one thread. Already learned a lot on previous threads, thanks!
     
  2. RiddickBull

    RiddickBull VIP Whale

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    What's your average bet?
     
  3. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    u havent answer the most important question, how much you bet at what u play and how long per day.

    a cl wont hurt either but u need to answer those questions first also wich mlife proprerty, luxor easy, aria not

    D) I've read previous posts where they say to go to the VIP desk/Host at the end of the trip and see if they can use any discretionary comps to knock off charges. Is that the Mlife desk? Or where do I find this magical place? ask for host on duty or walk into the host office and see if the can remopve something of your bill also they can call at check out, but if u answer the other questions we might be able to help beter , a 10 k bank roll at luxor will get u comps at aria u will have to get lucky and stretch it out
     
  4. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    I wired $10k front money to MGM Grand the first time I ever stayed or played there and when I went to the cage to sign for it, they put a host on the phone.

    I wired $10k front money to Aria and was not contacted by a host, but I had had previous contact (initiated by me) with three hosts there; although I have never been approached by a host at Aria, I suspect one is assigned to my account already.

    I don't think opening a $10k credit line with either property will, by itself, get you a host, help with comps, or attract much notice.
     
  5. sindustry

    sindustry VIP Whale

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    The Host On Duty desks are usually located around the High Limit Slots at Mlife properties. Do your normal thing on your upcoming trip and when you go to the Host desk at the end, see if they can comp anything. The Host may offer you his/her card at this time as well.

    To give you a low-roller's experience, I have been approached by a Host while playing UTH at MGM Grand, playing $25 ante. I was also at Aria back in April and the Host on Duty gave me his card and told me to contact him prior to my next trip and he would comp the room upfront. I was playing $100 ante on Crazy 4 that trip, but my average bet, according to the host, was showing up as just a little over $200 per hand, which is below the $250 that most will say you need to get comped rooms.
     
  6. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    Not at all. If you want to talk to a host then just email one of them. They have their contact info on the casino websites for a reason. You don't need to bet 10k a hand to speak to a host and a 10k bankroll is nothing to sneeze at compared to the typical gambler who walks into their casino. I think the benchmark of what it takes to speak to a host gets blown out of proportion sometimes. They're just marketing people, some of them barely out of college.

    It can't hurt, but I wouldn't get my hopes up of hearing from a host out of the blue after setting up a 10k line. Better to email a host and tell them you're interested in staying there and have also just opened up a 10k line. It shows sincerity.

    No, for MGM casinos its better to have a host at the property you stay at. A host at MGM Grand can't set you up at Aria himself, he'd have to have an Aria host take care of it for you. Better to just have the Aria host. Your play and ratings transfer across properties but others have mentioned your host only gets credit for your gambling at their property (or 100% credit versus partial credit for off-property play). So there is a mechanism in their system that encourages you to play at the property you're staying at.

    At Aria the host office is next to the cashier, at Bellagio its behind the cashier. I'm not sure where it is at MGM, I faintly recall meeting a host in the VIP check-in lounge but I don't know if that was just by circumstance or if that serves as the host office there. No magic to the place, quite the opposite in my experience. In the couple of dealings I've had they didn't do much of anything in terms of discretionary comps but they can handle smaller details like arranging your limo transfer, late check-out, going over your play, etc. If you have your own host better to just deal with them if they are available.
     
  7. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    That is correct. Although I usually just end up seeing my host in the casino somewhere, the hosts at MGM maintain desks in the office area between the VIP checkin and the main elevators. You can access that office from either the doors at the back of the elevator bank or through the VIP checkin lounge
     
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  8. boxofbirds

    boxofbirds Royally Flushed

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    Thanks everyone for your info so far!

    A hard question for me to answer it's kind of all over the place :confused2:, haha, but in the past trips, when I had about 1/3rd of the bankroll at BJ I was betting $25-$75 hand, VP usually $15 spin, slots I usually do whatever the max bet is for the machine, craps I did min bet/max odds, 3 card poker usually $20-$30 hand, and I would hop around from casino to casino never playing longer than an hour or so at any given place.

    I know my previous play was not host material, but next trip I will have 3 times the bankroll, so I can play more per hand and play longer, and now I'm done "playing the field" I can concentrate my play at a property that wants my business!

    So I guess what it comes down to, is at my level is it worth concentrating my play at Aria or one of the other Mlife properties and getting a host? Or should I just keep hopping around Mlife properties and take the EC and corporate offers?

    Does anyone have any recommendations for an Mlife property that maybe has some nicer rooms and friendly hosts? Maybe I can convince my SO to stay at one of the lesser properties if they have some nice suites or something...
     
  9. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    if you double your bj play you should stick to all your play at mgm or mirage, u can probaly get some comps going there, if you keep hotel hopping you will continue to hurt your self

    otherwise luxor will definatly comp you if you put the time in ,but notsure you want to stay at luxor
     
  10. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    PP is right. You need to be wagering at least a black chip per hand to get anything at the luxury resorts like MGM. And even then, I doubt there is much a host will be able to do for you at that level (other than a free room, and you can probably just get that through the corporate offers). But hey, it never hurts to ask.

    If you take a step down to a lower tier MGM property (NYNY, MC, Luxor) they would appreciate your black chip play and you will probably get more love from the hosts
     
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  11. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    with your play and it doesnt sound like the quality of hotels are a big deal you would be better of at cet as you can casino hop and you will get comp room offers up tp 5 nites for your play and you dont need a host.

    my suggestion is take some of your play throw some on the tables or slots at any cet and see what there tr calander pops up for you, your better off there, mlife your just not putting enough for then out and there they want 4 hours ,i personaly think cet is geared more towards your type of play. others might disagree
     
  12. SandPete

    SandPete Low-Roller

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    10K.. yes.. but how long you staying? 3 days? 10? If you playing 100 a hand BJ for 3 times 4 hours, not winning but not overly unlucky you dropping about 1-2K on that...
     
  13. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Actually, he said he prefers MGM and, more importantly, the significant other likes the fancier MGM properties. Gotta keep the significant other happy!

    I say, just play at the level you are comfortable with and if it is black chip or higher, at the end of the trip find a host at the Aria office KC mentioned above (I think the OP said he will likely stay at Aria in July) and ask them to check your play and see if they can knock anything off. Honestly, based on numerous past experiences with Aria, I doubt there is much they will do to help at the $100 level. But at worst, you get the host's card and you can communicate with him or her in the future before other trips and see if they can help. Worst they can do is say no
     
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  14. boxofbirds

    boxofbirds Royally Flushed

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    Like UKFanatic said, my SO is there for the luxury, I'm there for a bit of luxury and the great gambling. :licklips: If I was headed there by myself I would be fine probably staying just about anywhere. But I've only done that once.

    I agree about CET being generous with rooms! In February I played one slot machine at Planet Hollywood, (enough to get 110 RC, not sure how much that comes out to) and that was my only play at any CET casino ever and I've gotten a bunch of free room offers, but I haven't been impressed with the rooms (from what I've seen online) and I like the games better at Mlife properties as well. Loved the Aria and TheHotel when staying there, also stayed by myself at Mirage last march and liked it.

    To answer SandPete, next trip is 3 nights at Aria, Sat-Tue. I'll probably be black chipping it for the most part, unless I have a good early run then I might a bit looser. Good VP at Aria is $15-$45 min/spin. Had a bad run at Craps so might skip that this time

    I'm wondering if I should try my luck at Aria this trip and see what happens as UKFanatic suggests... Or I've heard that MGM/Mirage/Monte Carlo have some super nice suites/boutique hotels inside them that are better than their average rooms that might be the ticket. Anybody been comped into any of those? So maybe if I concentrate my play one of those properties I can get some more attention?
     
  15. SandPete

    SandPete Low-Roller

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    10K over 3 days, and if you get the hours in.. even at Aria or Bellagio, you should definitely go and ask for a host before checking out, that kind of play
    should give you min. standard room (probably a junior suite) for 3 days and about 500 FB up front at those places in the future. And having a host you can get any FP corp. offers added on top
    by the host.
     
  16. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    BoB, if it helps any, MGM and Mirage are generally considered one tier below Aria in the mlife universe, so you are likely to get better bang for your buck there. I think that is especially true of Mirage. Although I have not stayed there for a few years, my impression is that the requirements for comps there are less than the requirements for the grand. Black chip play will definitely get you attention at Monte Carlo, but I am not sure what level of play is required to get the Hotel 32 boutique comped. I think Blackjacknut (who hasn't been on the boards recently) stays there. maybe check his old posts about Hotel32
     
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  17. RiddickBull

    RiddickBull VIP Whale

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    As stated from others, just stop by the host on duty to see what they can do for you before checking out.

    Don't play more than you're comfortable to get comps or attention from hosts.
     
  18. boxofbirds

    boxofbirds Royally Flushed

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    Always great advice! I play for fun, and just want to gain the knowledge that can help maximize any benefits I could receive. Enjoying my "hobby" and getting a vacation out of it at the same time seems like a win-win to me (even if the house is always winning too :wink2: ).

    UKFanatic, I'll take a look at the archives and see if I can gain any knowledge about Blackjacknut's level of play. I did read a thread where he said he get's comped at Hotel32 and recommended it for BJ, which is my favorite game. I think that's the only property I haven't been to! Will definitely at least check it out on my trip.
     
  19. waverunner

    waverunner ------VEGA$------

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    @ boxofbirds

    110 RW credits at CET = $1.10
     
  20. boxofbirds

    boxofbirds Royally Flushed

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    Thanks, but yeah I meant that I wasn't sure how much I put through the slot machine to get 110 RC and all the free room offers. Going from the website it sounds like $5 coin in for each RC so I guess I only put $550 through the machine. I wonder if I put a $1000 through a slot machine I can get a villa? :faint:
     
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