Gaming Loyalty Programs - Newbie Vegas Questions...

Well technically I'm not new to Vegas, but typically haven't treated my time there as an opportunity to maximize loyalty program goodness. I've had the occasional comp and such, but I'm going on a trip next month and would like to do it right.

There is a large group of us going, but I've reserved two rooms for four of us at the Wynn Tower Suites. One is a Parlor Suite with an adjoining Tower Double. Two of us will probably gamble quite a bit (in terms of time). We'll probably average betwen $50-$100 a bet a BJ for 6-8 hours a day, and then play slots for another 2-4 hours with a $25 pass line bet, odds, and some extra cash thrown around on various bets. We'll also place some bets at the sports book if it matters. The other two will probably not gamble as much.

So the question is really, what is the best strategy here for comps? The most interesting thing is getting the rooms comped or heavily discounted. We'll probably be doing nice dinners (which we'll charge to the room), so not interested in buffets. Should we split the reservations between the two players or can they apply play for each to the single reservation?

What is the strategy with hosts. I've never used one before and I've seen suggestions about contacting them beforehand. How would I go about that or short of that when should I introduce myself after arrival?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Someone correct me if I am way off base here, but I have every rewards program on the strip so I have a pretty good idea how this works.

In general, you aren't going to get "the best comps" during the SAME period in which you are staying at the hotel -- you gain activity by using your card (more so with slots, less with table games), and the Wynn will award you the appropriate number of points which, yes, could be used towards paying for your current room at the end of the trip. How much to gamble? Well it is fairly simple, you just have to ask the Red Card booth how much it will take to earn 1 point, and you can figure out the conversion there. I assure you, for a room like that we easily talking $10,000 of coin IN.

However, the best comps will be sent to you via email/mail AFTER your stay. Unfortunately, there is no (public at least) algorithm for how they decide what you are going to get. Likely it's based on your demographics, and of course, most importantly how much you gamble. Someone in their 30's/40's throwing a lot of money into slots is a guaranteed future lifer to the casinos. A person right out of college in his 20's who played $50 on the roulette table over three days is worthless to them. You get the idea.

So, point is --- focus on the individual whom you think the casinos will invest in, let them do all the gambling with their card, and then let the offers come. Some will likely be free weekday stays. Free slot play up to $400 is likely, even if only a couple thousand was gambled (not lost mind you, gambled).

Unfortunately though, you are not going to earn enough to comp your current stay --- the casino isn't able to research you all quickly enough to be able to offer valuable free stays. You will need to wait for offers, and go again next time, hopefully comped.

I disagree. With your level of play at bj and craps, you guys should at a minimum get a casino rate, plus some F&B comped. Your comps are based on your theoretical loss, Ive gotten room comps at the encore with an average bet of $200 for 4 hrs per day (lower if staying during the week).

Don't know if there is a best strategy for splitting the rooms. You should be able to tell a host or VIP services the two players and the two rooms and they can comp based on your level of play.

With regard to a host, they typically find me, but if you have any history at the Wynn it would probably be useful to contact a host prior to your visit as he might be able to get a better rate before you arrive. PM me if you want contact info for my host.

and then play slots for another 2-4 hours with a $25 pass line bet, odds, and some extra cash thrown around on various bets.

Do you mean craps? just asking because of the terminology your using.

Actually that is not completely true. You will get comps based on your play DURING your stay, as long as you ask. Do not go to the desk where you first signed up to get a card, it is the equivalent of going to the top of the Wynn and screaming for someone to hand you free stuff, nothing much will happen. Just like anything involving business you need to make face to face introductions with a real human being. I do not stay at Wynn, but find a way to meet with someone who is behind the scenes at the casino host level, and talk with them. Having a personal relationship with them will absolutely help you in getting any comps that might be coming your way. Also charging to your room is the best for EVERYTHING you spend on property, because it gives them more options to delete or discount items already on your bill (excluding any goods purchased like clothing, make up, etc and tips) Also there is a algorithm they will use, and if you find the right person they will tell you just how much you need to spend to get X. They generally do not want to hide it and will be very upfront about it if you ask. Also putting all the effort into one person is not the best, make sure the two gamblers names are on the hotel reservation and when talking they should combine your offers to give you a total. I.E. if they offer you $400 F&B credit/$200 Room Credit and your friend $500 Room credit they should combine both to give you a total for the trip. Mind you all this info may not be true since you are going to the Wynn Hotel, but in theory it should all be the same.