SLS pulling my matchplay promo this trip~ WTF??

I had emailed a host and asked if they would match my Cosmo offer, they said they would no problem....it was 3 nights, 100 F&B as well as $570 in free play. I let her know that I had already made reservations with my host at Cosmo, didn't want to change it this trip so I'd prefer to take free play this trip, but if it required a stay, then I would look at doing that on my November/December trip. She replied they were happy to just match the free play this trip, she'd need to know when I'd be in etc. I actually made reservations at the grill restaurant at 1230 and one at Bazaar Meats at 630, and planned to spend the afternoon playing the free play and my own play over the time difference between the reservations. (I actually cancelled a reservation I had at Giada to do this...figured the $570, new experience, and new dining were worth the try) She said that was great timing, gave her hours and we made plans to meet when I got there~

Today I get this:


Hello Laura,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but due to the large amounts of requests we have had to match freeplay our boss is now requiring that you stay with us in order to match any promotions. I do apologize for this!! However, whenever you wish to come stay with us I will be happy to match everything that we previously spoke about.

Thank you Laura! Hope we will be able to personally meet in the future.


Anyone else getting this???? Thoughts?? Comments???? Given the fact I actually gave the option of deferring me before, I'm kinda pissed that they confirmed it was okay, I change plans, and now they re-neg.

NOT VERY COOL!

 

It makes perfect sense.

If a casino gives out free play, there is a good chance somebody will stop in, play it off and leave, along with any winnings.

They want people to stay in the hotel, and spend time there. Simple business.

On the other hand, you can stiff the by taking the room, and pretending you are staying there.

 

Yep I just got the same email.


"
Just wanted to let you know that unfortunately we will now only be matching offers when you stay with us in our hotel. I’m sorry for the changes! But whenever you wish to come out just let me know and we’ll get you all setup. Or feel free to stop by just to say hello!

"

 

She said she'd match it, I'd be pissed, but would also understand. She never should have made the offer in the first place.

 

Sounds like they definitely got burned by too many players taking the promos and running.

 

I agree, but pissed because I actually gave her the opportunity to tell me only with stay......and it was 3 days for her to respond to that exact question that now she changes. Thought she may have actually asked permission. I know I could have stiffed it, but, BAD to do this for an opening in my opinion. I was actually planning on putting a lot of coin through to keep the offers going. They would have been better off refusing any more free play not already arranged saying they've discontinued that offer anymore than re-neg on the ones it was promised to.

 

Just got the same email. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea for us to talk about it on this board? I'm super bummed. Had $900 to play thru.

 

Why not (double) book a night, then? I'm never one to recommend trying to game the system. But it isn't like you'll be screwing them over. You plan on giving them plenty of action, not taking the freeplay and saying, "f*** you".

 

The problem for me is I'm booked on comp at Cosmo....the logistics of checking in & checkout, enough hours of play at both to cover the comp seem fairly ambitious. I'm really not interested in underplaying comps anywhere.
Of course SLS also realizes the opportunity to book like that......wonder if they are going to figure away to enforce the room being stayed in? Anyone ever hear of a casino doing that?
For me, I'll save it possibly for a future trip. Will mull it around though if I want to bother with a relationship there. I think they should have handled it different. ....so may not be the best place to invest in right now. Grrrr......

 

Am I wrong in thinking you can just book a night, go to the check in desk and check in - just don't stay the night. You dont even have to call the hotel to check out as long as the room is empty (I never do without any issue). I would say that small time investment is worth $750 in free play no?

 

i got a called for doing that since my key was never used to open the door. SO now I go to the room. Mess up the bed. throw the towels in the tub or shower and leave.


I know it is stupid but that is what they want us to do and then I call the next day and say I had to go so can you check me out. NOW they require I stay two nights???

Why the heck they want me to get a room?? I still don't get it. I give them enough play in the first few hours. I don't need the room, but you just need to play the game.

 

I suspect they must be planning a way to enforce that you actually stayed there somehow, and if you didn't, charge the room cost.........otherwise anybody would do that. Could they do that? Are they just trying to get the $25 a night resort fee to offset some of the cost......hardly a drop in the bucket for how much free play they are saying they will match.

Apparently there is an offer on Las Vegas Advisor now stating the matching offer from another resort requires the room stay, and you must be an "active" CODE member to get it.

 

I suspect they must be planning a way to enforce that you actually stayed there somehow, and if you didn't, charge the room cost.........otherwise anybody would do that. Could they do that? Are they just trying to get the $25 a night resort fee to offset some of the cost......hardly a drop in the bucket for how much free play they are saying they will match.

Apparently there is an offer on Las Vegas Advisor now stating the matching offer from another resort requires the room stay, and you must be an "active" CODE member to get it.

 

I hear your justified frustration but also note she stated "our boss" has requested you stay with us. Now if you think she went to the boss and convinced him/her to change the offer then you have a legitimate gripe against the host.

I can see where they extended an offer they now regret as well.

 

I have to admit, I was surprised to hear that they were just going to match that much free play with no stay required when you first posted. But it sucks that now they are taking it away.

 

After reading some of the comments here... I don't blame them one bit for rethinking their policy!

 

Doing that must feel absolutely ridiculous. Makes no sense to me why they care if you are giving them the right amount of play and have a history of playing well without needing the room--no reason to require the room stay.

As for OP, I'm not surprised at all on the policy change as simply matching freeplay without any history at that casino doesn't make sense, but they should have known in the first place what they were going to do.

 

It makes no sense for them to give freeplay without a stay. They may as well give you the money in cash.

 

This is what happens when you have a start up operation with unclear policy or procedure. Either someone in the organization didn't understand their own internal policies or they understood them but the policies are changing on the fly. Either way it's a bad practice to rescind on a promised offer. We all want SLS to succeed, hopefully they get their act together soon.

 

If you are hoping for long term success this is the right call. Giving away free play without a stay is just bad business practice. From a business standpoint, they could really care less about someone who will complain about this. It sends the message they arent giving out free rides and will deter someone looking for that to stay away.


What they should do is give the freeplay once they hit the four hours of tracked play at the level agreed upon for a couple days.