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CET Casino Host at Harrah's Las Vegas

Discussion in 'Comps' started by Military Mike, Mar 11, 2013.

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  1. Military Mike

    Military Mike Low-Roller

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    First off I hope I am putting this post in the correct thread. So I contacted Harrah's about my up coming trip in Oct and I asked to speak to a casino host. I also am calling from AFG so the time difference is just a bit off but I got in contact with a Carlos Barajas from Harrah's. Question One: Has anyone worked with this particular host before? Second he told me to send him an email with my trip plans and what I am paying for the room that I booked. I sent him everything he asked for and this is what I got in return.

    "5nights at $55 per night and 2 nights at $140 per night plus $18 resort fees per night. I will do my best to accommodate you guys with a good room strip view but there are no guarantees since it is difficult to guarantee suites for our 7star players as well. But for the most part when I request up graded rooms, suite committee does come thru. For now I will book you guys at these rates to lock them in. If you have additional friends that may need a hotel accommodations please send them my way and I will make sure to take care of them as well."

    Second Question for this post, Would it be better off if I did cancel the room and have him book it with the rates mentioned or keep the room as is and get the exact type of room I reserved?

    Thanks y'all. I know I have flooded this page with tons of questions but I hope to help out others in the future with the lessons learned from the veteran members of this board.:wave:
     
  2. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    Are you sure you got a host? What was his job title of Carlos? Unless you are requesting a lot of rooms, an M suite, or your play is low (tier status less than diamond and low ADT) it seems he did not offer you much more than your typical marketing offers. Was this a holiday weekend?

    Keep in mind when the hosts book for you, they look at your how much your play is since there goal is to maximize return for the casino, which in turn hits there quotas in expected player wagers. Its a fish eat fish world.

    With the reduction in comps this is getting tighter and tighter. 3 years ago I was dealing with executive hosts at properties, and it was pretty much any room I wanted with limited up front food and beverage.

    I have kept the same level or better play and seen where I now deal with a sales marketing representative, rooms are still free, and food and beverage upfronts are very little.

    CET has shifted their player treatment focus on 7 stars, and even they are getting shafted these days. BTW you did not mention which property you are booking or how many rooms, but I assume you mean Harrahs Las Vegas right?
     
  3. Military Mike

    Military Mike Low-Roller

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    Yeah I am talking about Harrah's Las Vegas. I am only Booking one room but I booked the Executive Suite for about 150 a night Sun-Thur and Fri-Sat at 235. I am not really looking for comps at the present moment but when I close out my week long vacation it would be nice to get something for the play that I have put in at the casino. The only reason why I called and was looking for a host in the first place was I am in the Military and I would be on block leave. The dates I gave him were Oct 7-Oct 14. Theses are subject to change per my chain of command. They could either move right or left. I am currently deployed to AFG so that is why I booked them early. Also I am mostly a craps player at a 5 or 10 min table because I like to play for the long haul not just 50 and then after an hour I am done.

    I just looked at the email from Carlos before my computer crashed and I think I saw his title as CET Executive Host. Also his full name is Carlos Barajas.
     
  4. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    I'm a former USAF vet, send me a PM and I will hook you up. You sound like an okay guy. I have a really good relationship with my executive sales guy in Vegas, and I can get you a better deal. Probally at least two week nights comped on the executive suite at Harrahs. Weekend discounts would be tought since that is Columbus Day weekend.
     
  5. JDinTN

    JDinTN MIA

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    Book those cheaper rates through the host and just re-emphasize that you want the good room and you are cancelling your own reservation because your trusting him to pull through. Make sure to remind him your cancelling the Exec Suite and thats the accomodation you hope he comes through with. He's not really doing anything for you unless he can get you an upgrade to a nice suite. Those look like casino rates on the rooms which are given out pretty freely and if he knows your coming from the military that probably helps. Use that to your advantage!
     
  6. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Even Diamond and 7 Star players sometimes do not get suites. There are only so many to go around. All depends on the current occupancy and who is in town.

    Book the room you want, and do not expect an upgrade. After all, everyone wants an upgrade.

    Keep in mind that many/most suites in Vegas are often just larger rooms and not true suites.

    As to a host - they can all have good and bad days. CET tends to expect people to use their earned points for comps vs getting something from the host.

    Though nobody knows what your final play will be, to help us help you, what sort of bankroll will you be putting at risk for this trip? And, are you a past CET player? Points earned on past trips?
     
  7. Naturaleight

    Naturaleight MIA

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    I'm not sure what I have, but there is a guy who claims to be my host based at Planet Hollywood. He called me a few months ago and said he will arrange all my travel to any CET property from now on. He doesn't respond to email, and telephone during normal hours is the only way to reach him.

    The guy doesn't seem to do much more for me than book offers that I can already book myself either via the website or calling the 1800 number. So I don't really use him. One time he got me a suite when I needed 3 beds, but that's it. What's the point of a host if there's no personal service? What are these new CET "hosts"suppose to do for you anyway?

    That's why I stick with Mlife. Plus CET never does any RFB up front, unless you are Kerry Packer. Another reason to stick with Mlife.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2013
  8. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    CET has moved towards more of these "Executive Sales Representative" which is more of a marketing / bookings / quasi host. My guess is they carry some sort of quota to get people in the door and hit gambling targets, but I don't think its at the same level of a host.

    The guy I always use books my offers, BUT getting me a better grade room comp with a "No Guarantee" clause since he's subject to same avaialbility.

    I have ALWAYS gotten some back end comp for my play from CET besides my TR bonus credits. The level is dependant on what my front end offer was. On average for me, who plays around 4 to 6K in coin per day, over 3 days this means around 3 to 4 hundred on the backend comp. My only complaints with CET now is percentage I am getting back in free play on front end, the MAJOR fall off in service levels I receive as a high level diamond, and the new bonus tiers in 2013 since I think they are devaluing the diamond status level. I believe they are going to have to cut comps and tier benefits to offset the cost with the influx of new diamond players.
     
  9. Naturaleight

    Naturaleight MIA

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    So is there any advantage to booking with this Executive Sales Representative/quasi host?
     
  10. CinnamintStick

    CinnamintStick High-Roller

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    At The slot tournament last month we where booked for a regular room. At check in Harrahs was overbooked on their regular rooms. They gave us the Executive Suite. Two people thanked us for taking the room.
     
  11. Military Mike

    Military Mike Low-Roller

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    PM Inbound. Also I didnt realize that it was columbus day weekend.

    My total bankroll for this trip would be about two or three grand depending on what I am able to get as far as room rates and flights. I was already firguring about 7 grand total for the whole trip to include gambling, a walking club/pub crawl for 85pp; Then a night spent at treasures and doing the 4 course excutive meal with the limo service bottle service and vip for 175pp; Also a day and or night downtown; and a day of recovery at the pool or a message at the spa; and the flight from El Paso and then back to Massachuettes for the rest of my block leave.

    I hope this helps you all out with the advice. Yes I am from Massachuettes and I am a New England Sports Fan I watched them from the time I could sit in the seats at Fen Way Park. So please no boston Jokes.:nono:
     
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