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New to comps.... Recently returned from Vegas, Next Atlantic City.....

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Simmonds87, May 20, 2015.

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  1. Simmonds87

    Simmonds87 Tourist

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    Heya,

    Returned from Vegas last week, :thumbsup: We stayed at Planet Hollywood and were treated very well indeed, on check out, we had $1,100 ish taken from our bill, which was great for just asking.

    Were not high rollers by any stretch (3 players, earnt around 3,000 TC's each over our 9 night stay (from the UK, still far too long))

    None of us have EVER received any emails or promotions via email in the past (Despite playing) but received our first emails on return this past week, so not sure how things work or what is possible....

    However, we are heading to Atlantic City early next year, and when I search via the Caesars website, all dates are "COMP" except the Saturday which is $179 for the Premium Ocean View (seems like the best room they offer online).

    If I search without being logged in its $159-$459 a night, so it seems that they really want us to come back - Is this a normal type of affair? Should we book (its 4 nights free, plus one night charge!)

    or,

    Will we now start to receive email offers with offers of free play etc to compliment?


    Is there any difference if we book our own rooms each? or if we stay together less pressure of having to spend more?

    Thanks for the guidance! :beer:
     
  2. Simmonds87

    Simmonds87 Tourist

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    Was supposed to read 5,000 Tier Credits
     
  3. nickle

    nickle Low-Roller

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    You can book now and cancel/change if a better offer comes along.

    The offers (email, snail mail or online) are based on your card play, so I don't think there is any need to "spend more" regardless of how rooms are booked.

    My experience is that if you are going to their casino/hotels for a gambling holiday, you will continue to get comped rooms and other offers even as a very low roller. I go once or twice a year and rarely get half the TC's you have and always get 4 or 5 weekdays comped.

    Go, take advantage of what is given, and enjoy your holiday.
     
  4. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    Getting CET to waive $400 each in back end comps on just $2K gambled per day seems very generous. I say $2K to average out since its $5 = 1 TC's and I'm figuring some days you got a trigger bonus of at least 125 TC's when you hit 500. You got very lucky since this is not the norm for them anywhere. Hell I've earned 2,000+ TC's in a day and I had to fight for them to not use my reward credits for a couple buffets and thats not even $50!

    The value of your actual earned TC's = about $50.00 in reward credits. Considering they gave each of you almost 10 times that in the back end is pretty nice.

    In regards to Atlantic City, I like it there. vegas it is not. DO NOT expect to get these same back end comps there. The city is in ruins and the CET casinos do not hand out goodies like they do in vegas. CET props in Vegas were giving me $450.00 in free play last year. I play in AC with the same bankroll and close to the same ADT and the most i ever saw was $50 once. Also, if you are going to stay the week there your comped room will actually run you about $50 a night when you figure in taxes and resort fees which you HAVE to pay on a comped room unless you are diamond or above. Even then you still have to pay tax which is about $15 a night.
     
  5. Simmonds87

    Simmonds87 Tourist

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    Thanks! - I too thought it was very generous, maybe we caught the host on a good day.
    We had around $140 in on our Total Reward cards that was also used as the 'comp' from previous trips.

    We were probably playing 5-6 hours a day each, and mainly myself on slots, and the other 2 on table games.

    The majority of fees that were taken off were an upgrade fee to a panoramic suite ($200+ Tax a night) so maybe that is easier to comp, since our original rooms were paid for in cash in full.
     
  6. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    It doesn't cost $50/night in resort fees and taxes for comp CET rooms in Atlantic City. It costs $27.50/night. That is annoying but generally more reasonable than Vegas. There seems to be a lot of unreliable information out there about AC. It's actually extremely easy to get comps in AC because business is low right now and they are trying to rebuild their clientele. AC is a good place to go these days when you are looking for a good deal.
     
  7. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    ......said the one from Chicago with a per capita debt and pension liability of $26,000.

    Atlantic City has warts like many other cities, I think half of the casino jobs have disappeared in the last 7 years. Ruins? I've taken the Blue and Orange lines from Chicago's airports and seen some sketchy neighborhoods.
     
  8. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    I do know what i am talking about. You listed the resort fee but you didnt include the tax. Tax on a room, weekeday, from the TR site is $10.03. Ballys is showing $27.80 resort fee. Add them together with whatever the $5.00 fee is on their site and thats almost $43.00 per night on your room. Even if the room is comped, but you are not Diamond or above, you are on the hook for $43.00 for a free room. Unlike Vegas. I stand by what I said. Double check the math and then tell me if I am the one spreading unreliable info.

    Bally's Atlantic City

    Bally's Tower King Ocean View

    Room 1: 1 Adult(s), 0 Children

    Room 1:

    1 Nights Thu. 02/26/2015: $51.60

    Subtotal: $51.60

    Resort Fees: $27.80

    Other Fees: $5.00

    Taxes: $10.03

    Total: $94.43
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2015
  9. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    Says the guy from Chicago which has the third largest gross metropolitan product in the United States—approximately $532 billion. One of the top 10 tourist destinations in the US.

    No one in their right mind would compare Chicago to AC. Chicago is a world class city. 3MIL people live in Chicago and yes we have ghettos on the Southside. I like AC, I think its fun for some lowbrow good times. But where is the nice section? I've wandered around looking for places to eat or peered out the window of the jitney and I dont see where the people with money live. Unlike Chicago (The Mag Mile, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park etc).

    I dont want to turn OP's thread into a discussion over whats a nicer city AC or Chicago. But do you honestly feel OK telling someone AC is nice and to feel free walking around at night away from the Boardwalk (and casino security)? If i had friends stay downtown in Chicago I wouldnt have the same concerns. Again i like AC for what it is. But when an entire city is facing bankruptcy and with just 140K people seeing unemployment rates of 14% (per Forbes) thats a lot of desperate people and the crime rate in town proves that fact.

    I've been there half a dozen times and I tell people the same thing. If you stick to the boardwalk, near the casinos, or play in the Marina Dist you will have a great time. See the outlet mall during the day (not at night). Do NOT wander into the city alone alone. Stick to where the crowds are. This is not the Las Vegas strip. For what it is its a great place to visit if you are a gambler. Its easy to get around, lots of cheap food. The slot odds suck but the casinos are large.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2015
  10. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    Simmonds

    I actually made a decent walk through of AC a couple years ago called "A Vegas Fan's Guide to Atlantic City". Keep in mind that a quarter of their casinos have either closed or went bankrupt so dont expect to visit the Atlantic Club, Trump Plaza, Showboat or Revel. Revel was actually bought and they are trying to reopen. But as of now its closed. If you actually have a decent level of play I would suggest contacting a host at the Borgata. The Borg is beautiful and its a full blown Vegas strip style resort. Indoor and outdoor pools. Shopping. Clubs. Facy eats etc. Unlike CET where they will stick you with almost $30 in resort fees the Borg is a flat $5.00. The marina district has all of their casinos running and Harrahs over there (if you want the CET room) is one of the nicest in town. Take a jitney or cab to the Boardwalk to check things out. Its pretty fun for what it is. Dont expect vegas strip style shopping on the boardwalk. Its mostly tattoo parlors, message booth, dollar stores, hotdog stands and psychics.

    Here is the link with lots of pictures!
    https://sites.google.com/site/lvgrid/videos
     
  11. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    What are you talking about? I am paying a $25 resort fee (which includes the $5 mandatory government fee) and $2.50 in taxes and that's it to stay in a Centurion Tower ocean view room at Caesars AC. I have no idea where you are getting your figures from.
     
  12. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    I played around with booking on Total Rewards without entering my TR number and I still only got $25 resort fee including mandatory state fee and a little over $10 in taxes for a weekday room At Bally's. Of course if you play any reasonable amount then the room is comped like mine at Caesars and you only pay $2.50 in taxes on it. I still don't see where your numbers are coming from.
     
  13. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    Strange indeed! I pulled mine up from the TR site using my wife's card. She is gold and I am Diamond. Diamond confirmation wont show the resort fees I do not believe. Since we know the OP was not Diamond I figured that's the best way to do it. Even in years past, before these horrible resort fees in AC, you still paid tax on a comp room. Unlike Vegas. That tax was always 10-12 bucks. How does tax decrease with play? I mean going from $10 in taxes to $2.50 is a pretty huge drop and I have never heard of the city/state taking less money from you on a room if you play more.

    You said earlier it was just $27.50 for taxes and fees. Now you are saying its $35.00 in taxes and fees. I just logged in blind right now and i show the below. Either their website is completely whacked or even they dont know what is going on these days! This shows $20 in resort fees and $26.46 in taxes. Maybe the resort fee goes down when the taxes go up? That cant be right. Earlier this year Ballys was at $13 per night for a resort fee. I assume taxes are higher on the below since the room isnt free.


    Dennis Tower 2 Double Beds Non-Smoking
    NIGHTLY RATES:
    FRI05/29/2015 $169.00
    Subtotal: $169.00
    Resort Fees: $20.00
    Taxes: $26.46
    Total: $220.46

    I just got back from AC and I pulled my CC statement. I paid $11.35 per night on my trip. No late check out or resort fees, I'm Diamond. So tax does seem to be all over the board and I can only assume the tax goes up with the room rate.

    Its still reasonable to say that AC is not like Vegas for comped rooms. You are going to pay, at the very least, $25 in fees + $10 in taxes for a free room. In Vegas, at least last year, Platinum cards got the resort fee waived and no taxes charged. In AC you are paying taxes no matter what. And if the OP likes to stay for over a week like he did in vegas that $35-$50 per night will add up pretty fast for a "free" room. Its still something to take into consideration.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2015
  14. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    To add to the mess I just logged in as myself and it shows $0.00 for tax and $5.00 for fees on a free room. I was literally in AC 3 weeks so maybe this is brand new? Thats still for a mid Diamond player. Maybe CET and the city pushed away enough people with these fees and taxes and are now giving a break to higher level players?

    I dont think I'll ever understand what is going on over there. If you call the desk they will tell you one thing. Online its another and a host yet another. I think they are stumbling around right now with what they can and cant get away with and you have to go with the flow. Resort fee was $13 in January. Up to $20 by March. Diamond was $11 a night in taxes fees in April and now apparently $5.


    Marina Deluxe King Non-Smoking Room
    See Full Rate Calendar
    NIGHTLY RATES:
    FRI05/22/2015 COMP
    Subtotal: $0.00
    Other Fees: $5.00
    Total: $5.00
     
  15. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Grid, if you were to travel to the southern part of Atlantic City, the area that borders Ventnor, you will see some nicer homes and there are a couple of condominium buildings. In the summer I sometimes to to this beach as there is parking nearby. Most of the Casino employees live off shore.

    I love Chicago, by the way, it has one of the cleanest downtown's; my frame of reference is NY and Philly. I was fortunate to visit in March and last November for trade shows. Made it to Gene and Georgetti's, my last visit to G&G was over 25 years ago. Had the steak and a Bulleit Manhattan, and it was so good, I had another one, my eyeballs rolled into the back of my head in Rye and Vermouth ecstasy. Went to Union Sushi for buck a shuck oysters, sushi and a bunch of Japanese beers that I've never seen before. A great town.

    My comment was not for comparison, both cities have financial problems, but to say AC is in ruins is a bit severe. It's down, but not out. We have a blast every time and to be honest, I was approached by panhandlers 4 times......but this was in downtown Chicago. Business types with rolling suitcases are prime targets. Never been approached in Atlantic City in the last three years.

    As for charges for comped rooms, we just stayed there a few weeks ago in a Toga room, there is a $20 resort fee, a $5.00 occupancy fee (this goes to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority) and $2.80 tax, so the "walk out the door" price for us was $27.80. We are lowly Gold.


    I stumped the clerk when I asked her about the parking fee. Diamond and Platinum have one parking rate, possibly free, Gold gets charged $20, or nothing for guests, but there is a $5 discount if you stay overnight. But on weekends its higher. Hell, I have no clue, so I parked at Bally's where you can get free parking if you put some points on your card.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2015
  16. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    Rock on Hammie. I think you can see Ventnor from Revel right? Or maybe the marina dist? I remember seeing some nice building off in the distance. But to someone going to Atlantic City to gamble I'd still warn them about the gritty city itself near the casinos. Gene and Georgetti's is OK. Next time you are in town hit up Ed Debevic's! I like AC. I go to AC. I take my kids to AC. I want AC to do well. I wish it was clean and didnt have the crime problems. What I hear is that the mayor isnt doing much of anything and the blight is really starting to show. Look at the way they are beating up the poor slob that actually bought the Revel. I just think its fair to point that out. The same way i will point out that the casinos are clean, the boardwalk (mostly) is safe and if you stay where you should stay its a great time. I just wouldnt tell anyone to wander around the city itself away from the tourist areas.

    Funny enough I go downtown all the time to shop and I've never been asked for money. Maybe I just look like a local. But i have yet to make it through AC without someone asking for bus fair or a cigarette. Funny how that works LOL.

    As for OP going to Atlantic City I stand by what I said. Its fun. The casinos are huge and there is lots to do. But in my experience the comps aren't nearly as easy to come by, compared to LV and all the competition there, and the rooms arent the easy giveaway like they are in Vegas. Plenty more room to go around in LV and AC is always packed on the weekends during summer so those rooms arent just given away to everyone. So they should not expect the same level of comps as Vegas and I'm pretty sure thats what this was all about before arguing over exactly how much more in taxes and fees AC comps on a free room. The fact is they tack on these fees with a free room and even Platinum players cant get away from it. Unlike Vegas.
     
  17. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    CET no longer allows Platinum TR members to waive resort fees, because everyone was just getting the TR Visa for the free upgrade to Platinum and then everyone was waiving the resort fees. Platinum doesn't really get you much of anything anymore.
     
  18. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    The Island that contains Atlantic City has 4 different towns, as you go south there's Ventnor, then Margate, then Longport. The latter has some very pricey residences and old money. I'm not very familiar with these other towns though.

    As for the guy who bought Revel, he is sure getting a workout from the State and local authorities. I believe this all has to do with the power plant that was built to supply electricity, hot water for heat and chilled water for cooling. Like every other mystery, just follow the money trail, in this case Straub does not want to be under this expensive supply contract from this power plant. Consequently, the State does not want this power plant to go bankrupt, it's a real soap opera. It's almost Memorial Day, the start of the season at the Jersey Shore and this guy isn't even close to being open.

    Thanks for the heads up on Ed Debevic's, G&G was kind of like a trip in the wayback machine for me as my first time there was around 1983. It was also my first trip to Chicago, first trade show, and my first ride on a plane. Great stuff.
     
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