I picked the right time to return to Grazie (Venetian/Palazzo)

Now that Venetian's new player's club has been running for several months, what does everyone think of it?

As Paiza Gold, I'm enjoying the faster point-to-dollar conversion and the 2 p.m. late checkout. But that's it.

I don't feel any different than Grazie Elite, or regular Gold from the previous rewards program.

I'm playing more now than I did before, reaching about 8k-10k tier points per trip. My room is always a standard with host request for high floor/view. The front desk always, always tries to upsell this high floor/view and when I say it's a host request, they scoff and say that means nothing. I show my useless Paiza Gold card, but that upgrade only works if you pay for the room. They also tend to say, "hey, did you know about the Prestige tower?" where you can access the lounge for free snacks and water. The way they present it, it sounds as if they're giving an upgrade for free, but then you find it's also paid. I'm not trying to impress anyone, so the view really doesn't matter to me, but the higher floors tend to have less crowds to that elevator section (floors 53+). Currently I'm at Palazzo on a low 10th floor overlooking a rooftop and HVAC units that make a loud electrical humming noise. I think I'll start checking in online to not have to deal with the upsell, since I'm getting bottom of the barrel rooms anyway. In the old program with less play, I was always getting a high floor and pool view.

Ever since using my host to book offers, all my online offers (and mail offers) for the bigger slot tournaments have disappeared. I only see the $50k ones. My host says I'm still qualified and she can book me, but she doesn't keep me informed of when they are or details. I have to find out from other players.

I like seeing the offers online and having the option to book online because I feel less obligated to play than with a host. But truly, my host has done nothing other than book marketing offers that I get anyway (well, used to get). There was one instance of her comping $400 of food my first 10k point trip, but since then, nothing else has been comped (I stay the same 3 nights Fri-Mon) and it's a hassle to go through the will-she-or-won't-she backend comp (email asking, then no response, then the wait for the credit card charge) that I don't even charge stuff to the room anymore.

Overall, I'd say I'm pretty dissatisfied. With Caesars, I have a low level of expectation, but I expect higher with Venetian.


--max

 

Pro tip for Venetian: use the host on duty (usually stationed at a podium near the Grazie desk on the Venetian side) to take care of your back end comps. Then, email your assigned host to see if anything additional can be taken off.

 

I have invoked this benefit only once so far while checking in to ensure that I have late checkout indicated on my room. Or I should say, I tried to, as Elite. The front desk person said he could only give me 1pm. WTF!? 2pm is the official late checkout time for Elite and Paiza. I even flashed him my players card. I didn't argue or make a big deal out of it though. This was Fourth of July weekend and I figured they wanted to turn over the room asap afterwards to handle the summer crowds. Still... it seems to me they are very quick to cut corners on the stated benefits.

 

I tend to agree with you about the new program. In the past, I've used the guaranteed early check in, and taken the free shuttle from the airport, both of which have disappeared as benefits. On using a host, I generally feel as though she doesn't do anything for me that I can't do for myself by calling or booking online. Once or twice, she has been able to comp a weekend night that wasn't showing up for me otherwise. So for that, I have been appreciative. Otherwise, waiting for her to respond to my emails is irritating. These days, I'm more inclined to call the Grazie desk (long hold times these days, unfortunately), or use the new feature to book online. Like you, I feel less obligated if I take care of things myself and I usually can get it done way faster. Palazzo is always very generous and consistent with offers which keeps me coming back for more, even with the changes to the program.

 

There's something weird going on with their online portal. If you go to "Tier Level & Points" there is a banner at the top that will say something like "20 exclusive offers. Book now" or whatever number of offers you may have. If you click on the "book now" or even click the page navigation on "Offers", you will go to your offers page, and see that the actual number is not the same. It's always fewer than what that banner said. For me, I see only 18 offers on my offers page. That banner has always counted 2 more offers that I cannot see. I strongly believe that the 2 hidden offers are the bigger tournaments that I used to be able to see. This is not a new phenomena. I have noticed this for over a month now.

 

Have you had success with this? The people I speak with at the Palazzo/Venetian rewards desks always say to talk to my host (but I haven't gone to the separate podium). They always want me to do it on the day of checkout, but by then it's too late to throw up some room charges! (I tend to talk to them at night, outside of host hours.)


--max

 

Definitely insist, and even show the brochure that states 2 p.m.

So far, every time I've stayed (including July 4th weekend) I've gotten the 2 p.m. checkout. But you do have to "request" it. I've either done it at checkin, just visiting the front desk later, or calling down.


--max

 

Agreed, I miss the free airport shuttle (which, ahem, I would use even if not going to Venetian). In these times of outrageous Ubers (I just paid $34 from the airport to Palazzo), I'm starting to think I'll take the free limo from other casinos with the cheaper $20 tip.

Haven't had an issue checking in early, though I haven't tried earlier than say 1 p.m.

Fortunately, the one thing my host does well is respond quickly.


--max

 

Yep, same exact thing on my end.

I tried explaining to my host and an IT support guy that I'm not seeing all my offers (which, like you, is +2 than what I actually see). The host (I keep saying "the host" instead of "my host" because I don't feel she's doing much to help) just said that I should just book through her. But how do I know what to book if I don't even see the offers! At least on the main site, Venetian advertises all the $50k tourneys, but I'm after the bigger ones.

It could be a coincidence that this started happening when I started using the host, but maybe it's just something in the system that perhaps a few of us "lucky" ones are blocked from seeing.


--max

 

By the way, here's my view. The loud humming kept interrupting my conference calls so I had to keep muting.

 

I have been successful three times, and I do it on the morning of checkout. The Grazie desk is definitely not the place to go. Either go to the podium or the host office inside of high-limit slots on the Venetian side. On one of the three occasions, my host took a bit more off and my credit card was credited -- with both actions having happened even though I had already checked out and was almost home. The most recent time two months ago, the host on duty removed exactly enough from my folio relative to my comp value (the exact number for which I have been provided -- sometimes even without me requesting it).

 

Love love the HVAC view. I am an engineer (sorta), love seeing those things working or breaking down.

 

Ended up charging a Milos lunch and went to the Grazie desk on the Venetian side. Didn't see your message about the host office inside high-limit, but I'll try that next time.

After 10 minutes of hand calculations, she said she was able to comp what I charged. I asked if I could get more and she first told me how many comp dollars I had, but I persisted with any leftover comps I could use from my play, and she said she could get dinner. But I'm checking out today, I said, how about if I do a to-go order? I chose Grand Lux, she did another 5 minutes of printouts and typing, then highlighted a comp that would be in Grand Lux's system without needing to print out a comp slip.

After all these years, even with Adelson gone (I was told from Grazie that he liked to have a paper record of everything), and even with the new loyalty program, it amazes me how Venetian still seems antiquated with how they handle comps.

So then I went to Grand Lux without knowing how I could spend $100 especially after already eating. (I didn't need it at all, but it's the point of it.) So I just got stuff for anyone who showed up until the comp was used up.

Then I get a text from my host saying that she comped my food and beverage charges. But seems the desk already did that? Or maybe Grand Lux popped up?

Anyway, glad it all worked out but man, what a process and time-killer. It sure would be nice if the day before checkout, the system would alert players' hosts when the player has played above their room and upfront comps. Then the host (or even computer) could review and alert the player that some or all charges were taken care of. That would make me loyal to a property instead of having to go through the rigmarole. I would leave with a positive feeling. But I do understand that the majority of players wouldn't think to ask for backend comps, so they save money that way.


--max

 

Ha, it's that cicada-level hum that gets me, I'd think I would start hearing voices after awhile.


--max

 

love it.

If there weren't hoops to jump, we could all have nice things.

 

About 10 years ago, I did follow my host from Caesars to Venetian/Palazzo a couple times.

I found that they didn't have as much tables in action as CP and CP always gave me better offers (way more shopping at forum shops, more free play). They were also comping me less on the backend. Additionally the playing atmosphere was different and I found myself having more winning days at CP so no choice

I must admit, the rooms and restaurants were a lot better. There used to be a VIP check in room on the right hand side of palazzo check-in and place to relax/eat/drink. Does that still exist?

 

That's still there, but no food/drinks because of Covid, or so they say.


--max

 

It is def. something. I started playing lower and now notice that my offers are correct now. My wifes account is much higher than mine and hers are off by 2 offers. I think they're are blocking those that have won or placed high. (just my theory)

 

I think my highest has been $2500 and $1000, but I would slot tournament results would be completely separate from marketing offers.

But interesting about playing lower. Will probably test that theory on my next visit, since I definitely won't be able to maintain my last visit's loss.

Does anyone know the dates of the December dual tourney + drawing?


--max