MLife Experts: Which Option Hurts My Future Offers More?

[thecarve]

Ok MILFicionados, help me out, please.

If I were to double book an MLife room - while staying at Cosmo - in order to take advantage of resort credits (as well as use up some ECs), and play at a much lower level than my "historical average", which of the following options would hurt my future offers less, in your opinion?

A. Bellagio for ONE night, with a rack rate that night of $669 (CES)

B. Aria for TWO nights (site won't let me book less than two nights for that offer) with a total rack rate (for two nights) of $348.

Regardless of which offer I used, I'd probably still only play at that MLife property for one day. And I wouldn't be dedicating a significant portion of my total bankroll to that casino. Unless I had some really good luck, this would be a low-play situation.

I'm willing to kill my future offers. But if one option will hurt them less, that's definitely a consideration.

Thanks!

 

[Geogran]

Just a few questions, @thecarve:
. Did you choose Bellagio and Aria because of close proximity to Cosmo or because you prefer higher tier mlife?
. Do you have comparable comped offer with RC etc at say a place like NYNY which is fairly close to Cosmo?

I don't know the answer to your original question as to which would hurt your future Bellagio or Aria offers less or more based on your low play scenario, hopefully others with experience have a good answer as I'm curious as well!

IMO, if proximity isn't the sole factor, and you have a comparable offer (corporate or other) at say NYNY and somewhat low played them while still getting to use Resort Credits, (you can the use your EC's at any mlife property), you might not damage future property specific offers at Bellagio and Aria in case you have a change of heart or circumstances.
(I'm always careful not to burn bridges just in case...).

If you are double booking primarily to take advantage of Resort Credits on an mlife offer, perhaps staying at a lower tier property on an offer won't affect your future property specific offers at a higher tier property but you could use the RC's at another property. I know at Aria you have to use your Resort Credits at Aria (my experience anyway), but not all mlife properties are like that, for example while staying on a Mirage offer, they allow you to use Resort Credits at other mlife properties. I believe there are others that allow this as well - not sure about NYNY - just used it as an example.- you would need to verify the property in advance.

 

[thecarve]

Thanks for the reply, @Geogran!

So...certainly, proximity is a consideration. But for the most part, the issue is that I'm not sure (and I'm pretty confident that no one else is either) whether or not I can use my RCs at any MLife joint or just the place I'm staying. And I'm 100% sure I'll enjoy a meal or two at Aria or Bellagio.

If I knew for a fact that I could use my RCs anywhere, I'd definitely book one of the lower tier MLife places as those come with more RCs.

 

[Geogran]

A phone call to some of the places that interest you would probably be your best bet although I've read here sometimes even the reservation folks aren't consistent - any host on duty, if you can reach one, would know for sure.

On our recent early December stay, we definitely were able to use our Mirage resort credits at other properties - afternon tea at Petrossian/Bellagio and dinner at Javier's/Aria - although I always double check with Mirage ahead of time and when we check-in cause mlife policies seem to change frequently.

Earlier in year staying at Aria, were told by phone when I asked and again at check-in all RC's had to be used on property.

Agree with you on dining at Bellagio and Aria - favorites of ours too when it comes to mlife dining.

BTW mlife has changed out bathroom amenities etc to an across the board 'mlife' brand - and consists only of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and soap. No more personalized brands by each property anymore - no more mouthwash, toothbrush/paste, razor, shower gel, bath salts etc - so bring those things if you have relied on the extra's in the past.

 

[Multifarious5]

A phone call to some of the places that interest you would probably be your best bet although I've read here sometimes even the reservation folks aren't consistent - any host on duty, if you can reach one, would know for sure.

On our recent early December stay, we definitely were able to use our Mirage resort credits at other properties - afternon tea at Petrossian/Bellagio and dinner at Javier's/Aria - although I always double check with Mirage ahead of time and when we check-in cause mlife policies seem to change frequently.

Earlier in year staying at Aria, were told by phone when I asked and again at check-in all RC's had to be used on property.

Agree with you on dining at Bellagio and Aria - favorites of ours too when it comes to mlife dining.

BTW mlife has changed out bathroom amenities etc to an across the board 'mlife' brand - and consists only of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and soap. No more personalized brands by each property anymore - no more mouthwash, toothbrush/paste, razor, shower gel, bath salts etc - so bring those things if you have relied on the extra's in the past.

HI Carve!!!! (Owner of my beloved cat-posing pic)

I'm totally with Geogran on this. If you want to stay at Aria or Bellagio down the road again, I would NOT risk a low play at either property.

Like Geo said, I would also suggest calling some of the lower tier hotels and just ask about RC rules for your offer. Most mlife resort credits are universal, depending on the fine print of the offer. Ironically, the one Mlife prop that consistently is known NOT to let you use RC outside, is Aria. (As in many aria offers give you RC, but they can ONLY be used at Aria.) But for most other properties, it's not an issue. But I would double-check when you book, to be safe.

Even better with lower tier? You usually get a good chunk MORE RC at the lower properties. And remember, most can do mobile check out.

I honestly am consistently over-comped (no complaints here), but I think it's in part because I am so reliable on my play levels. Aria overcomps me consistently (front end), but I always play the same levels/coin-in, so I'm very, very reliable revenue for them.

Once you get one or two bad trips, it's like a bad date, it's on their books and in their minds.

I know many say you can do this Scot-free, and maybe you can, but I never want to bite the hand of places I like, and risk a good thing. If you're going to risk it, do it at a place you don't care about.

Now, Chuck, Geogran, Nittany, Nostress, JeJas and others have more "time in the field," and might have better advice, but I personally would advise anyone to avoid low-playing spots they might want to visit again, ESPECIALLY the nice ones. But that's just me.

Enjoy, and have a great trip!

 

[Chuck2009x]

I had a surprising result on my last trip.

I was ready to burn the bridge on offers from MLife, so I double-booked a single night (Friday) on a property-specific offer from MGM Grand, just to use the freeplay and resort credit. I was staying at Cosmo, so would have preferred to use a corporate offer at Aria or Bellagio, but they both required two-night bookings and my reasoning was that even though I was willing to burn the bridge, no-playing a single night was less bad than two nights.

So I played my $150 freeplay and then recycled some of what remained. It still basically amounts to a no-play. I did intend to earn at least 1 TC in order to keep Express Comps alive



So trip finished and I waited to see what would happen to offers, and the next round of offers was unaffected. And the round after that was a little better than the last few.

I'm not ready to say my offers improved because of the no-play; that could just be seasonal. But it appears that I got a free pass. My instinct is that it's safer to no-play a single night stay than a two-night, regardless of the aggregate retail price of the room.

I'd also say commit yourself fully to the no-play - whatever you end up with from the freeplay, recycle a tiny bit of it and use the rest to pad your bankroll at Cosmo.

Also I guess, be prepared for a different result. I was willing to burn the bridge and still am, it doesn't sound like that's your intent.

 

[thecarve]

Thanks for the replies.

My instinct is that it's safer to no-play a single night stay than a two-night, regardless of the aggregate retail price of the room.

This is what I figure as well. So unless someone can tell me otherwise, I'm probably going to do the one night option.

As far as my situation with MLife goes: I've actually already low-played them once (booked a room for my sister and BIL at Bellagio while I stayed at Cosmo this summer) and a few trips ago, I ate at one of their restaurants (while staying elsewhere) and paid with ECs - I can't remember if I played or not, but if I did, it wasn't much. So, I wouldn't be surprised if my offers dried up next quarter regardless of whether or not I lowplay next month.

Combine that with the fact that I might not get a chance to get back to Vegas for a while and I'm becoming more and more annoyed with PGP, and I'm not terribly concerned about burning this bridge.

 

[paperposter]

if u have a host at the b book it say u got sick so u didnt play much its only one nite no biggie

 

[Multifarious5]

I had a surprising result on my last trip.

I was ready to burn the bridge on offers from MLife, so I double-booked a single night (Friday) on a property-specific offer from MGM Grand, just to use the freeplay and resort credit. I was staying at Cosmo, so would have preferred to use a corporate offer at Aria or Bellagio, but they both required two-night bookings and my reasoning was that even though I was willing to burn the bridge, no-playing a single night was less bad than two nights.

So I played my $150 freeplay and then recycled some of what remained. It still basically amounts to a no-play. I did intend to earn at least 1 TC in order to keep Express Comps alive

View attachment 29829
So trip finished and I waited to see what would happen to offers, and the next round of offers was unaffected. And the round after that was a little better than the last few.

I'm not ready to say my offers improved because of the no-play; that could just be seasonal. But it appears that I got a free pass. My instinct is that it's safer to no-play a single night stay than a two-night, regardless of the aggregate retail price of the room.

I'd also say commit yourself fully to the no-play - whatever you end up with from the freeplay, recycle a tiny bit of it and use the rest to pad your bankroll at Cosmo.

Also I guess, be prepared for a different result. I was willing to burn the bridge and still am, it doesn't sound like that's your intent.

This is a great post Chuck! And Mlife has been shifty with you on a few occasions, so I am happy to see this worked out as a pleasant surprise for you!

While I personally wouldn't risk burning a bridge at a propert I really like, I DO always have one foot on the ground with MLIFE, and make sure to "seed" other properties in case Mlife tightens up.

Not to make a crass reference, but it is like a drug dealer that might give someone a freebie, but tightens up if they think you're locked in. I CAN see them sweetening your pot Chuck, if they think they're losing you.

I'm enjoying the gravy train while it lasts, buy I am also fully prepared to have to avoid MLIFE one trip if they get tight. I just want to ensure that, when that does happen, I don't tick off my Mlife homebases, so that when I DO return, I still have a welcome mat.

Very cool post Chuck, as always. Great tip on one night probably doing less damage than 2.

Carve, if you're already in the dog house and riding residual offers, AND probably won't be going out again, then there is definitely less room for worry. Definitely let us know how whatever you pick turns out, as it always interesting to see how our little Mlife experiments turn out!

 

[Jejas]

I always double/triple booked so I do have some experience on doing this.
In general, for the non-stay reservation, if one night can get you FP/RC, don't go for two nights.
If for the same number of nights, go for a lower tier hotel.
For resort credit usage, Bellagio allows you to use any Mlife properties, but Aria usually only allows you to use it on-site.