How to Ask for Backend Comp?

I'm going to be checking out of the El Cortez tomorrow after a two night stay. This is my first time staying/playing here, so no history and I booked direct with hotel. I've done a bit more gambling than I expected (earned 5,000 points over two days) and thought it might be worthwhile to ask.

But, I'm not great at being assertive and am worried about how to do this without looking like an idiot. Do I just go to the players' club and ask? Any advice on how to phrase it? I know it's silly to worry about (I mean the worst they can do is say no - it's not like they are going to take me out back and shoot me for asking), but it's amazing how anxious I get about what should be fairly innocuous interactions.

 

Just go to the players' desk and say something along these lines:

"Hi my name is ____ and it's my first time at El Cortez. It's been great so far but I'm finally checking out today. Would you mind taking a look at my play to see if you guys can comp anything off my trip?" *Sure let's take a look* "Thank you very much, I appreciate it!"

Don't stress about it eliza just ask!

 

Eliza, I'm like you, I actually don't like feeling moochy, or putting someone out of their way, but xjjx is spot on, just ask.

As long as you're nice, they really don't mind, and you won't get it without a host if you don't ask.

I think the only time I had a LITTLE pushback was on our first trip to Bellagio....BUT I had a totally comped trip (with food and fp, no RC) over Memorial day. I had added the $40 late checkout, and since that really doesn't cost them anything, I asked the mlife desk to see if they could waive the fee.

The Bellagio Mlife rep was very nice, but had that subtle look of "really?" He then said, "Ma'am, your entire trip is comped."

I had been bumped down on a room (no biggie, I was still thrilled with free, but I figured this might mean they still had a little cushion in my comp bank), so I had a little more courage and just said "I know, and I really appreciated their generosity" , (I am not a morning person, so late means a lot to me), and I asked if he "would mind just giving a quick call and checking?"

He did finally call the on-call host, and it was immediately waived. $40 is $40. Had the rep called and heard "no" from the on-call host, at least I would have never wondered if I paid for something I didn't need to.

Trust me, I have seen some very pushy, rude, entitled people. If you're asking them but being nice, then they might get to skip someone rude!

P.S. if they do help you or are really friendly, I keep a kudos list on my phone where I can remember their name, if I get a post-trip survey. Management often rewards employes that get positive reviews...just never say WHAT they took off, just in case they were too generous.

Good luck, and enjoy!!!

 

Orrrrr, they might take you out back and shoot you. Ya never know. There are a lot of holes in the desert.


But seriously, I think there might be a Vegas bumper sticker or tee shirt that simply says, "It doesn't hurt to ask." A pit boss even said that to me once.

 

Most hosts are trained to politely say "Sorry, there's nothing I can do", but will hold it in until their next break and in the break area, share with their peers . . "You wanna know that THIS GUY asked for?!?!?"

 

I'd love an off the record cocktails hour with hosts just for stories

 

Thanks to all for advice. I definitely worry way too much about these things. Just asked at the club counter (using the script @xjjx provided) and it was pretty easy. The host ended up comping one night and putting me on a casino rate for the second night. No complaints here - especially since I wasn't really expecting anything given how low of a roller I am. (Plus I'm actually up *very* slightly on my play thus far -- which makes everything more awesome.)

It's weird how uptight I get about things like this, especially since in my work I routinely have very difficult conversations with senior executives and don't have any problem with that. But somehow, in my personal life, asking for something for myself/potentially inconveniencing someone is just SO uncomfortable.

 

OK, so here's the thing . . . I know how much business I've given the casino (i.e. lost). I know that they CAN comp me for my business. I don't ask for something extraordinary, but what I think is reasonable.

Like last trip. I had "calculated" that my spending was in line with my business. Little did I know that:

1)They raised the room rates
2)They calculated Theo differently than what I was expecting.

My host was a "good guy" and covered all my expenditures, although he pointed out that I was "overcomped". I made a note of that and will be more observant in the future.

 

There's also a difference for us guys that can't get to Vegas that often. From the UK, I am lucky to get out there once a year, normally it's less than that, so I 'have' to take as many comps as I can whilst there. Usually ask at players club as I'm ready to check out 'is there anything you can do for me' - never had a problem and usually our play qualifies for something. This will be my first ever fully comped pre-trip rooms, based on last year's trip, so not sure what, if anything we will get back end but I will certainly be asking!

 

For CET you need to burn all of your RC's before they will comp anything. Last trip I had $85 ?? $80?? in leftover charges after I applied all TR credits. I was nervous as heck but I asked at check-out desk in Diamond check-out. She went over to host on duty in there & asked. He said 'oh is that all' & comped it off. Made me a little less nervous about asking next time. Even if I get turned down then I know I have already received some value in the past. This trip I will have to ask as I only have about $10 RCs left right now lol.

 

Congratulations! A free night is a free night!

You sound like a very considerate person, so, if you feel guilty for asking, put yourself in their shoes.

When you ask if they can do it, and they can, they get to give a NICE person a comp. I know if I was in their job, I'd really enjoy giving nice people good news when I can, it would only be the rude ones I'd have to grit my teeth over.

Great job, and congratulations!

 

Several years ago my husband and I were staying at The D on comped rooms with some free play and some food comps. We were winning like crazy and playing a lot more than normal. A host came up to both of us and said if we want anything, we should let her know. We said we were fine and didn't need anything. We thought we would sound greedy if we asked for anything because we were getting rooms, free play and a small food comp already. We still talk about how we could have had a nice, free meal at Adrianos and a ride to the airport. From now on we will never turn anything down and we always talk to a host the night before we leave to see if we have anything available for us.

 

I agree it is best just to ask because all they can do is say no. My very first comp was at the MGM casino where when standing in line at the players club to get a new card I heard the person in front of me asked if they had earned any comps. When it was my turn after getting a new card I also asked if I had earned any comps fully expecting to be told no.I was pleasantly surprised when the lady said they could comp me $80 bucks in food which the wife and I used at the old Studio Cafe. The next several trips on our last day we would visit the players club at MGM and get a food comp for what play we would give them.

Mark

 

Did you ask?