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Orleans "Upgrade" Offer

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by booker, Oct 5, 2014.

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  1. booker

    booker VIP Whale

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    I'll soon be staying a few nights at The Orleans. I received an email from them for upgrades:

    $24 Premium King
    This upgrade selection offers you the opportunity to stay in our newly REMODELED rooms.
    Enjoy the comforts of our upscale décor, and all new furniture.

    $31 Add a Strip View
    Enjoy the most coveted view in Las Vegas: A View of the infamous Las Vegas Strip.
    From the comfort of your guestroom feel free to people-watch and to savor the spectacular lights and architecture.

    $83 Executive Suite - One Bedroom
    This spacious Execuitve Suite has a living area, a dining area and a wet bar with a refrigerator.
    There are multiple TVs in this Suite, one of which is a 50" and is located in the Living Room.
    The bedroom offers one king.
    A garden tub is featured in the bathroom.

    I've stayed there once before and had a "strip view" for the original price. This email rubs me the wrong way. Your thoughts?
     
  2. tominiowa

    tominiowa High-Roller

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    I wouldn't pay for upgrade at the Orleans. The rooms are fine but really is a strip view from there really better than mountain view?
    I doubt you picked the Orleans because of fancy decor in rooms. They are fine but really just rooms and that all I need when staying there.
    The pool in summer though is a good one IMHO. Not too crowded and clean.
     
  3. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    We've stayed there for years and have been upgraded to a strip view almost every visit with no problem (and without a fee or the $20 trick). The mountain view is nice as well. I would never pay for those upgrades.
     
  4. booker

    booker VIP Whale

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    1LuckyMomma, I stayed there last October and received a strip view without asking.


    You're right, I certainly didn't pick the Orleans because of room decor! Frankly, I was surprised that I received this "offer."
     
  5. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    I love the Orleans and the casino. Saying that, the "strip view" is above the a/c unit and uncomfortable to just stand there and gaze upon if the unit is running; difficult to see from the couch if sitting so really insignificant and not very good if just standing in the room and looking from afar.

    I will say about 4 years ago we got my MIL a suite as listed for 3 nights and we paid casino rate for our room although on the same floor. It was pretty nice and she was quite moved. (It also helped to give her sanctuary while we had some "alone" time) This was the week before Christmas if that matters.

    If you did anything I would go for the 1 bedroom and then hope to play enough to get it credited or reduced to a reasonable rate. But the other offers are rather insignificant.

    Sometimes you have to wonder if these "offers" are for those unitiated and / or not members of a message board that think it is a deal. However, if you get to the hotel and realize the "strip view" in reality is not comparable to a similar offer from Rio for example, they do more harm than good for future business.
     
  6. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I've stayed at the Orleans dozens of times over the last 12 years. Long before they initiated view, upgrade, and resort fee scams (okay, maybe "scam" is a bit harsh – let's call them "opportunities"), I've usually gotten room and view preferences merely by asking when checking in. At this point, however, I couldn't care less about the view and seldom even ask anymore.

    Don't get me wrong, I still love the place and will be back there three weeks from today.
     
  7. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    For comp offers, I have been getting Premium as a option to begin with. The strip view is actually a really great panorama if you are up high but not $31 a night more. Maybe if it's a premium with a strip view? Someone on TA got an emaill with even more add ons including early and late check out. smoking and close to elevator charges. I really hope they don't expect their customer base to buy into this. They would be better off just pushing suite upgrades. If they need more than that, they need to make the Premium rooms more premium.
     
  8. Wistful Walt

    Wistful Walt Tourist

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    This thread is very timely for my wife and I, We received two of these e-mails within the past week, and we are going to Vegas this afternoon, and are booked into the Orleans tonight for 7 nights, then 7 at the Gold Coast, and ending back for two more at the Orleans.I intend to have quite a chat with them tomorrow on this, particularly if they try to impose any of these 'upgrades' on us and put us into a room tonight that does not closely match what we booked.
    I'm inclined to think the Orleans sales promotion people did not think this one out as thoroughly as they should have. Some of these socalled upgrades have been standard on a free basis for some time for us, and are the main reason we are both Boyd Sapphire players---we enjoy them, and I think are fully entitled to received them.
    Will report back on this later this month when the smoke clears and we are home safe and sound.
     
  9. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    Leo21: Yikes - I guess it won't be long before they hit us up for pillows, soap, towels, etc.! I also get Premium as a comp offer; but really, trying to charge for "standard" stuff is ridiculous. (I'm not even going into resort fees.)

    Walt: Good luck trying to communicate with an intelligent life force. I'll look forward to hearing how it went. Have a terrific trip!
     
  10. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    My philosophy: People are going to end up with strip view rooms or near the elevator whether they pay for the upgrade or not. My hunch is people won't pay for views and they would be damned if they told a senior with mobility problems they can't be near the elevator unless they paid more. And they need to build out the front desk if they aren't going to allow early check in because I last stayed I checked in on a Sunday and fully staffed it was packed all damn day. They need to find ways to get more revenue without copying the strip.
     
  11. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    $20 at check in gets you a premium room with any view you want.
     
  12. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Just curious...how close to your trip do most of you receive the upgrade emails? Just wondering if I will get one from NYNY is all.
     
  13. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I received an upgrade email offer from the Orleans on May 26 for my last stay there starting June 3. I was already comped for a premium room, so I suppose the emails are automatically sent a week prior, but who knows? Maybe I'll get another offer for my upcoming visit, which is already a premium room comp.
     
  14. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I'm not sure what you found negative about the message. I think it's just a simple up-selling technique and is automatically sent to those with reservations. Your right, as a returning visitor, you might get the upgrade room at no-charge. It's just another way for the property to try and drive some additional revenue at almost no cost to them.

    It's possible though that the property is now placing more of a premium on these upgrades and making them a bit more difficult to come by without the fee OR they haven't changed policy at all and figure why not send the e-mail and see who bites?
     
  15. cmccleary1123

    cmccleary1123 Tourist

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    I would not pay for an upgrade at Orleans. I have always been able to upgrade at check-in for no added cost.
     
  16. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    It's not the tactic, it's the audience. If you know any Coast Casino loyalists, you know this is not something that would fly with them. And I don't think their newbies or convention goers would care for it either. You choose a hotel like the Orleans to not deal with this stuff.


    On the NYNY q, I don't know if any the MGM brand hotels do upsells in advance like this. Before, it was primarily a CET thing.
     
  17. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    To update my previous post (#13), I just received an email upgrade offer from the Orleans for my stay starting next Monday. They're "only" asking $33 extra per night for a Strip view, $84 extra per night for a one bedroom suite, and $136 extra for a two bedroom! They even suggest, "Request ALL options to improve your chances of receiving an eStandby Upgrade®." Obviously, these offers are sent automatically a week prior to arrival; but at least this time the email acknowledges my originally booked Premium King (comped) and no longer offers it as another upgrade. The offer (and prices) still seem silly to me, but it's no big deal.
     
  18. booker

    booker VIP Whale

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    Yes, Turtleman ~ they ARE silly.
     
  19. riverrat44

    riverrat44 Tourist

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    I always stay at the Orleans and have always had a strip view. When I check in I always ask for a high floor with strip view. I have never paid extra. They have now renovated all the rooms and the new furniture and bedding is wonderfully comfortable. Don't pay extra, just ask for what you want at checkin.
     
  20. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    I stayed in room 907....renovated this last Sunday-Monday night (6/19-20) and was offered a room at the time of check in as "We have few rooms available at this time but would the 9th floor be ok?" It was 10:00 a.m. and no upgrade asked for or requested.

    I still think the offer for for the uninitiated ? and upon subsequent play such an offer is not necessary. Again I think short term gain ruins in many cases the long term goal of repeat / loyal allegiance. However, if players with history are receiving this offer than that refutes my ideas.
     
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