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Upgrades while on a Comp

Discussion in 'Comps' started by AEnema33, Mar 10, 2020.

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  1. AEnema33

    AEnema33 Tourist

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    Does anybody ever have any luck with getting an upgrade while staying on a comp?

    This is the first time that I have ever stayed on a Comp, so this is all new to me. I am currently booked in a Bellagio Suite for April 16-20. Hoping for an upgrade to a penthouse suite if possible, but I don’t want to push my luck.
     
  2. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Be aware that if you DO get an upgrade, the Comp value of the room will be based on the upgraded room, increasing the amount of play needed to "make" the comp.

    I have gotten them at both CET and mLife by using the $20 bill trick at check-in. (there is a forum specifically for this)
     
  3. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Worth asking.

    We tried many years ago at Aria - the charge was way too much for us.

    Not sure what suite you are getting with the comp, but it might be the Salone suite which is really just a larger room - no door to bedroom. But, bath is very large. I would lean towards a regular room with fountain view over the suite though.

    Penthouse suite at B is really nice. Had that once.
     
  4. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    I'm typically just happy not to get bumped out of the type of room I have, so I've never asked for a complimentary upgrade :). I have done a paid upgrade though. I called the morning of my arrival and was able to upgrade my Salone suite to a Bellagio Suite - can't remember how much a night it was.

    All they can say is no if you ask. I would check the rates right before I left to see the difference between the Bellagio and Penthouse suites so if they offer you a paid upgrade - you know what kind of deal it is.
     
  5. AEnema33

    AEnema33 Tourist

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    I am currently booked in a Bellagio Suite. I also have 150 resort credit and $400 in free play. I know they are already giving me quite a bit as it is, I don’t want to “underplay” too much if I don’t play enough to cover the room as it currently stands.

    which leads me to another question. I have never had free play before either. I know it gets loaded onto my card at the MLife desk, but when I use it, do I have to use it all at once, or can I play a bit and if it doesn’t hit, can I just pull my card and take it to another machine? Or once it’s activated, do I have to play it all then?
     
  6. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    as far as the upgrade, a lot depends on how busy it is when you are staying there (ie competition for the upgraded rooms). This includes holidays, fights, conventions, etc. A lot also depends on the front desk agent you have when you check in. The agents in the preferred check in usually will work with you as best you can and give you an indication whether it will even be possible or not.

    With the current conditions ie health scare, if it should continue your chances are very good.
     
  7. hotreds

    hotreds Illegitimi non carborundum!

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    Bottom line: ask
     
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  8. AEnema33

    AEnema33 Tourist

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    I am staying from April 16-20. Same weekend as the NAB conventions. However a friend is going as well and their room prices have dropped 4 times in the past week due to cancellations. I will be certainly happy with the Bellagio Suite, just hoping that I don’t get put into a lower tier room.
     
  9. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    Yes, you don't have to play it all at once. If you want to stop using freeplay, just pull your card out.
     
  10. WheatThins

    WheatThins Low-Roller

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    I thought that if the front desk upgraded you, it was the hotel department "paying" or waiving the cost difference for the upgraded room. Not the marketing department for your comp.

    For example, if I was not staying on a comp, and I paid fully out-of-pocket for my stay, and the front desk gave me a complimentary upgrade, they would not charge me for the difference in room type. The hotel department would just waive the cost.

    So if I'm staying on a comp, and the front desk has a nicer room available and they decide to give it to me, it is the hotel department that is waving the cost again. They should not go back and charge the marketing department a higher rate for the room. Isn't that how it works?

    Maybe there's some confusion because some people have experienced the front desk calling or checking with the marketing department (or their host) to see if a person qualifies for an upgrade, if at the time they're checking in, they are near full capacity and the hotel cannot waive any upgrade costs (for either paid or comped guest)...they think that the marketing department might pay for it since the customer is asking for it. In other times when rooms are plentiful and the front desk has been given the "go-ahead" to upgrade anyone for free, they would not have to go through your host or marketing department. ???
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2020
  11. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    AFAIK, it's always been that if I take an upgrade, it's counted against my up front comp.

    HOWEVER, I've never heard this directly from anyone, just my host when approving/denying back end comps.
     
  12. WheatThins

    WheatThins Low-Roller

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    You are referring to Ceasar's properties only? I am basing on my stays at Wynn and Venetian. Not sure about MLife, which is what the original poster asked about.

    I remember one time the front desk comped me internet access ($20 a day), since I was not paying resort fee at Venetian. When I asked my host to review my charges at checkout, they did not even see the Internet fee on my list of charges as the hotel department comped it off already.
     
  13. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    It is certainly possible to upgrade a comped room on arrival.

    However—a host will always tell you it is the comp value of the room you are actually staying in that counts when they look at back end comps. It doesn’t matter if you were booked into it, paid to upgrade, or used the $20 trick. Yes, they can comp off upgrade fees if play warrants.

    In terms of where you stand with the marketing department regarding your future offers—no, the value of a suite you upgraded into won’t count against you.

    SO, if you regularly are in a position to ask for back end comps, upgrade with caution or at least be aware it may cost you something in terms of Food and Bev comps that you might get. If you don’t get significant back end comps, or this is your first time with a comped room, upgrade away.
     
  14. ReTriggerMe

    ReTriggerMe Stand Up to Jewish Hate!

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    To the original question... yes.

    I've stayed at MGM properties on a promo comp/offer seven times. Asked for nice room, possible upgrade almost every time. Never the $20 trick.

    Mandalay Bay, nothing
    Vdara, offered to sell me upgrade, I declined
    Nomad, put me in Atelier
    Bellagio, first time, no upgrade, but I complained about smell and horrible mattress upon entering room, got a better room.
    Bellagio, last month, 1 night stay. Didn't ask for upgrade, but room type reserved wasnt available and I was upgraded to huge suite.
    Two Aria stays... registration denied upgrade, clicked alot of keys, told me they were giving me much nicer room in same category. Who knows... maybe they were chatting with another staffer "this doofus thinks I'm giving him a better room."

    Started going to LV more often recently ... monthly Dec, Jan, Feb, March & April trips cancelled, June still reserved.

    I joined this board in January. Info overload, understanding comps, ADT, etc. I started wondering about, overthinking, value of room, does upgrade mean less back-end comp opportunity?, etc. Finally arrived at recognition that I'm a lower-roller, that the few extra bucks rate the hotel charges the casino for an upgrade isn't worth worrying about. The only comps Ive ever been offered during a stay are a buffet on a big-play-non-stay-day at Wynn, and one night's resort fee at Cosmo. Zilch at MGM.

    Also, I know if I'm getting the upgrade. I can see it, tangibly experience the difference. I know my freeplay, resort credit. My "earned" comps on any visit, etc... still has some black box elements. I could avoid requesting an upgrade and be no further ahead upon departure. I'd pay more attention if I played higher... or maybe this forced time away has added a new perspective
     
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