We've been betting over a quarter million dollars coin in for Video Poker in each of the last few years.... We get the room comped (normally 3 or 4 night stays, 3 times a year, at the Venetian (Venetzia)), and all the meals we eat in-house are picked up when I check with the host stand at check out.

We never ask for anything else (limos, shows, airfare, meals off-property etc.). I think we're getting a fair deal, so I don't worry about asking for more (espeicially since we tend to win). Just curious from the veterans -- what else do you think we can get at this level of play?

wow quarter of a million are you that lucky?

wow quarter of a million are you that lucky?

Lots of churn on VP, if you play well. We've been pretty lucky (and good) so far.

qtr mill on VP translates to 50K in Players club points and platinum status. I'd say you can ask for more unless you've been splurging on the food :p Seriously, I would ask for more.

qtr mill on VP translates to 50K in Players club points and platinum status. I'd say you can ask for more unless you've been splurging on the food :p Seriously, I would ask for more.

Actually, the food bill is pretty reasonable, since we're not big eaters or drinkers and never order a whole bottle of wine.

I'd definitely request first class air fare, your level of play warrants it.

I was playing at the Venetian and they had a computer left on near my table that displayed a player's stats. The screen showed the dollar amount of comps earned by the player and the amount used. I am sure this player doesn't know he used thousands less in comps than the computer said he was entitled to.

You probably could get airfare(I don't know about first class)limo,in house shows,upgraded accomadations now and then,full RFB.
Now I would ask once on a special occassion for all of this from the host.If they say no then call someone at the Wynn.
Do you have an assigned host?Does he ever call you-or write with a personal initation(not a mass level mailing)an invitation?Does he remeber your B'days and aniversary?If not he(she)is a lazy host-you can do better.
One thing about asking for stuff from host-they can badger you to increase play to justify expenses.But you seem like a level headed person who will not asj for the presidential suite for themselves and three more suites for family every time you visit so this should not be a problem.

You probably could get airfare(I don't know about first class)limo,in house shows,upgraded accomadations now and then,full RFB.
Now I would ask once on a special occassion for all of this from the host.If they say no then call someone at the Wynn.
Do you have an assigned host?Does he ever call you-or write with a personal initation(not a mass level mailing)an invitation?Does he remeber your B'days and aniversary?If not he(she)is a lazy host-you can do better.
One thing about asking for stuff from host-they can badger you to increase play to justify expenses.But you seem like a level headed person who will not asj for the presidential suite for themselves and three more suites for family every time you visit so this should not be a problem.

I have a few cards from hosts (a few introduced themselves after I hit a $10,000 hand!), but I normally reserve through a person in casino marketing. She will call with invitations, but nothing to do with birthdays and anniversaries. When checking out, I call her (never met her in person), or I just check with the host stand -- it's seem hard to actually find a particular host (I've tried), so I don't bother anymore.

I have a few cards from hosts (a few introduced themselves after I hit a $10,000 hand!), but I normally reserve through a person in casino marketing. She will call with invitations, but nothing to do with birthdays and anniversaries. When checking out, I call her (never met her in person), or I just check with the host stand -- it's seem hard to actually find a particular host (I've tried), so I don't bother anymore.
How about calling your host and say you're not happy and see what he/she gives you. I was plesantly suprised when I got a lot more than what you're describing for a bit less play.

You can ask for and probably get limo transfers but they will hit your comp account for $45 a pop or so and may impact your food comps. At the end of the trip, strut up to the host desk with your airfare receipt and ask if they can reimburse you. They will punch a few numbers and say yes or no. Venetian requires 12 hours of play on a trip to consider comping airfare, making them the toughest ticket in town next to Bellagio, who laugh in your face when you ask for airfare.

If the $250k coin in is all in one trip, you can probably get $500 in airfare or so if your room and food are not too much. If it's spread out over more than two trips you probably won't get any airfare unless you have a big loss. Any time you have a big loss, always ask for airfare.

Make sure you play enough each year to qualify for the .4% cashback.

Consider moving your business to Wynn, which has a better comp rate for video poker players (but lower cashback).

QL

You can ask for and probably get limo transfers but they will hit your comp account for $45 a pop or so and may impact your food comps. At the end of the trip, strut up to the host desk with your airfare receipt and ask if they can reimburse you. They will punch a few numbers and say yes or no. Venetian requires 12 hours of play on a trip to consider comping airfare, making them the toughest ticket in town next to Bellagio, who laugh in your face when you ask for airfare.

If the $250k coin in is all in one trip, you can probably get $500 in airfare or so if your room and food are not too much. If it's spread out over more than two trips you probably won't get any airfare unless you have a big loss. Any time you have a big loss, always ask for airfare.

Make sure you play enough each year to qualify for the .4% cashback.

Consider moving your business to Wynn, which has a better comp rate for video poker players (but lower cashback).

QL

Thanks. The $250K is the sum of about 3 3.5 days trips. I'm gold, not platinum (I think you need 5 times what we bet to get that!).

I like the Wynn casino, we played quite a bit there last trip & won. I've had a room offer from them. My wife doesn't like their casino, she thinks it has poorer ventilation than the Venetian, so the smokers bother her more there. We've also had nice offers from the Hard Rock -- we really like that place, but it is pretty remote from everything else.

We do way more than 12 hours of play per trip. I think what we get from the Venetian is fair (we normally get around $500 in cash back per trip, in addition to the comps). I was just curious if we were asking for way too little. Doesn't sound like we are.

"We do way more than 12 hours of play per trip. I think what we get from the Venetian is fair (we normally get around $500 in cash back per trip, in addition to the comps). I was just curious if we were asking for way too little. Doesn't sound like we are."
There are plenty of very nice(much nicer than the Venetian IMO)that will treat you a lot better than you are being treated now.
Having a personal host will open many more doors for you-If none at the V are looking after you that tells me they are lazy.
Why should you have a host?Because they can arange comps for you so your players club points or comp balance is not touched.
Give the Wynn a try-just for a weekend.If you really do not like go back to the Venetian.
Also,since you like the Hard Rock have you considered playing at the Palms?They treat high level players like royalty and are much more liberal with comps(but do not offer cash backI believe) than the Big strip Joints.I also like The Green Valley Ranch-they treat me extremly well and I do not play at anywhere near the level you are talking about anymore.

Opus 17,

I have a GREAT host(ess) at the Venetian; she is the main reason we keep returning there. We get phone calls several times a year, birthday/anniv cards, and follow up "thanks" on every visit. I have no idea what our actual play amount is, but I know she treats me better than anywhere else on the strip (and we only get to the Venetian once or twice a year right now). PM me if you would like her name (perhaps she is who you are already using), I am sure she will take great care of you!

Robin

Fisbait-for the elucidation of the board here would you please tell us what the above hostess does for you at the property itself.I think this would be a good example of why having a personal host(rather than casino marketing)is a good idea.Also a ball park of your gambling budget would help to put things in perspective,thanks.
PS-If any of you are playing enough to warrent this kind of attention a profit/loss statement from the casino is probably a good idea for when tax time comes around.

PS-If any of you are playing enough to warrent this kind of attention a profit/loss statement from the casino is probably a good idea for when tax time comes around.

Especially if you have W2-G statements and need to back up your own records on win/losses!

Doesn't sound like we are.

ask until someone says "no" --- personally, I feel the goal is to "exceed" what the computer says you should get, and then hopefully get authorization for additional discretionary comps (which would have to be authorized by a host). Of course, one can only eat and drink so much; and I would never ask for something I wouldn't use. Also, a good host might be able to secure some off property hard comps for shows or other events --- these things might be of more interest, if you are not high spend for food and beverage; since some folks can easily drop $500 on wine at dinner.

I like the Wynn casino, we played quite a bit there last trip & won. I've had a room offer from them. My wife doesn't like their casino, she thinks it has poorer ventilation than the Venetian, so the smokers bother her more there.

Interesting. I always smell the smoke as soon as I hit the first set of double doors at any entrance to Venetian but nothing as strong elsewhere. Or maybe my sense of smell is so numb from Venetian that everywhere else smells clean.

Fisbait-for the elucidation of the board here would you please tell us what the above hostess does for you at the property itself.I think this would be a good example of why having a personal host(rather than casino marketing)is a good idea.Also a ball park of your gambling budget would help to put things in perspective,thanks.
PS-If any of you are playing enough to warrent this kind of attention a profit/loss statement from the casino is probably a good idea for when tax time comes around.

I apologize, I haven't visited this board in a while. The best way to describe the difference in my host is a "gratitude vs. attitude" thing. She is a lovely person who seems to go out of her way for us, even when we aren't visiting as often as we would like. She isn't pushy, but when we are in the hotel, she will come out and see us if I call her (I often bring her a gift). We really don't ask for much, but when we do, she seems to get it done. And the best part is, we aren't really big gamblers (at the Venetian anyway). The last couple years, we have only been able to get there twice a year and only about 36 hours each visit (Fri night to Sun morn). Best I can figure off Grazie points alone, we run between $10,000 - $15,000 thru slots each 24 hours. I also play the tables, maybe 2-3 hours per day average, but rarely over $25 per hand. Definitely not a big stake. In a good year, we visit the Venetian 4-5 times. We even lost our Gold status last year, due to timing of visits, etc, but she made sure we had a line pass for the coffee shop anyway. Her personal service, the follow ups, phone calls and birthday cards, etc make it hard to go anywhere else. We don't qualify for RFB, but we never pay for a room, and pay only about 1/2 our meals (we eat VERY well lol). We don't really ask for much else because we rarely have other expenses (except airfare, which I would never expect anything for). Its the little things like this: She always leaves a message for us on our hotel voicemail, welcoming us and giving us her availability while we are there, and another contact name in case she isn't. Last year on hubby's birthday, she had a robe wrapped and sent to our room as a gift. Stupid little things, but we appreciate the personal service and it keeps most of our money there.

To best compare: Last summer, we wanted to rent a cabana (its a big deal to me as I cannot be in the sun at all). I mentioned it to my host on the night of our arrival, who secured a reservation for the next day, and at a substantial discount. Compare this to Mandalay Bay, where I have only spoken to my "host" on the phone, and usually through the desk personnel. Not only do I not qualify for a discount on a cabana, I haven't even been able to reserve one in years, even calling ahead as a regular person under their regular reservation service. For the same level of play (actually probably more, since our visits there are with the kids and usually last longer), we don't even qualify for a buffet line pass as guests of the hotel, and get only discounts on our room. It feels like we are asking for the world with even a simple request, and its usually refused there, and often with a snippy attitude.

The funny thing is, we probably gamble 8 to 10X that amount in A.C. as day visitors, and don't even HAVE a personal host there! I gotta get to work on that one, but don't expect anything at all down there!

Let me know if you need any more examples. Its kinda hard to put the attitude thing into words, but if you have been there, you probably know what I mean.

Robin

The funny thing is, we probably gamble 8 to 10X that amount in A.C. as day visitors, and don't even HAVE a personal host there! I gotta get to work on that one, but don't expect anything at all down there!

THE BORGATA (http://www.theborgata.com/main.cfm?Section=home00&TabType=H&SideNav=root&Content=home00)

I've heard great things... though, IMHO, even if it is for 2 days, I much prefer my options in Vegas.

Compare this to Mandalay Bay, where I have only spoken to my "host" on the phone, and usually through the desk personnel. Not only do I not qualify for a discount on a cabana, I haven't even been able to reserve one in years, even calling ahead as a regular person under their regular reservation service. For the same level of play (actually probably more, since our visits there are with the kids and usually last longer), we don't even qualify for a buffet line pass as guests of the hotel, and get only discounts on our room. It feels like we are asking for the world with even a simple request, and its usually refused there, and often with a snippy attitude.

I recently received an offer from Mandalay Bay for free "VIP" tickets to Cheap Trick. We were psyched. But when we called them, the tickets were free, but the rooms were quoted at $429.

The funny thing is, we probably gamble 8 to 10X that amount in A.C. as day visitors, and don't even HAVE a personal host there! I gotta get to work on that one, but don't expect anything at all down there!

Try Harrah's Marina.

I go to LV about 4 times per year. Usually stay at MGM where I have a personal host. It is definitelty worth it (IMHO) to stay loyal to a certain host if they treat you nice. To throw my 2 cents in and to add some perspective......I onluy play BJack, avg bet of about $200-$250 per hand, playing about 4-8 hours per day. I may lose 10K per weekend (my stop loss) or win 50K. (or usually somewhere in between). For this I get RFB, spa treatment, and most recently ---which has been an extremely happy surprise especially for the GF was free U2 tickets and next weekend 2 great tickets for Madonna.

My host calls me occasionally to let me know about things such as the concerts and invites me.

I have also had occassion to stay at the Wynn and TI (where I also have hosts). I am only considered a low-avg player for the Wynn and am usually offered 3 nights in a room and partial FB. TI offers full RFB, but no spa comps. Wynn nor TI offer concert tickets which have become a great bonus for us. I suppose it helps that the Grand Garden Arena is a part of MGM.

Cheers..