Gaming Loyalty Programs - Harrah's Online Reservation System- Slightly unusual

I am doing some reservation planning for Nov-Dec for the wife and myself. The property I will be at is Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City. I logged in and checked for any comp room offers (am a new Harrah's Diamond Card holder now!) but from the Nov-Dec time period, some towers claimed they were all sold out, for the whole calendar month. Today, when I checked the site without logging in, those towers were available, albeit at a higher price. At first, I had thought that Harrah's was undergoing renovations at this property, but that seems not the case.

I remember there was a Harrah's person lurking on this forum. What's the deal here?

I've noticed this too. My friend is having a birthday at Caesar's in Atlantic City. When I'm logged in all the rooms are listed as "not available", however when I log out I can book the room at the absurd weekend rate.

What's the deal with that? Why not even show at least the retail weekend rate when logged in?

I also notice that ever since I stopped reserving my own comped rooms and crash at a friend's room while gambling down there I'm getting less and less room comped.

Even if you are a Diamond they could walk you from the property you thought you reserved to the Claridge, which is a gritpile. Ruined our getaway.

Even if you are a Diamond they could walk you from the property you thought you reserved to the Claridge, which is a gritpile. Ruined our getaway.

Horrific. I cannot say that I've had that happen to me.

Since my wife and I are staying from Sun thru Tues, the hotel should not be full.

I don't know if I'd let that happen to me. I would just hop over to Trump Marina for a cheap room.

(had a bad experience at The Borgata and I won't be back living there in the close future)

I'm going to be calling the 800 number for some info.

What's the deal with that? Why not even show at least the retail weekend rate when logged in?

That's a quirk of the harrahs.com reservation system. Basically, what they are saying is they don't want to give you a discount or comp room, but you are more than welcome to pay full retail. Of course, why they don't just display the full retail instead of UNAVAILABLE makes no sense. (but, with Harrah's a lot of things don't make sense)

I also notice that ever since I stopped reserving my own comped rooms and crash at a friend's room while gambling down there I'm getting less and less room comped.

Everything is based on your theoretical (or ADT). If you gamble just a "little" you can be hurting yourself, as that will lower your average, in a general sense. So, while the casino will encourage you to "ALWAYS USE YOUR CARD" it's actually NOT the best idea to get rated (or put your card in a machine) if you are going to have very minor play. (of course, if you ALWAYS have minor play, then it doesn't really make a difference ;);) )

Often, especially with regard to weekends (fri/sat) and also with regard to LFB and RFB, it's best to have a Harrah's or an independent host book your trips. (There are quite a few good hosts in the Harrah's Atlantic City market) Often times, Saturday night will NOT show up comp'ed at my preferred property (Caesars in the summer, Harrah's in the non-beach months), but I have yet to have a problem when I request that a host book the room.

Even if you are a Diamond they could walk you from the property you thought you reserved to the Claridge, which is a gritpile. Ruined our getaway.

You were NOT walked. The Claridge is considered Bally's. (Well, unless you DIDN'T BOOK BALLY'S!) If you are booked on a COMP room @ Bally's, you can wind up @ Claridge. This is especially the case if you don't have a high theoretical and have booked on a Friday or Saturday night. There is a reason why Bally's often shows up COMP (or at the lowest price), when the other properties are more expensive. That reason is that Bally's has some of the worst rooms in Atlantic City.

My advice to folks, always book away from Bally's, even if it's going to cost you a bit more.

It sucks, but it's common documented knowledge with regard to Bally's. Diamond 'should' help, but your theoretical is king. Though, often times, a lot depends on what has been blocked by VIP and the time you check in.

I know for a fact, that it is near impossible to get corner kings in Centurion and Ocean Tower Luxury rooms at Caesars on a Friday or Saturday night (in addition to any of the Ocean Tower Suites or Junior Suites). Everything is blocked by VIP. It doesn't matter if you are Diamond, if you have haven't personally been 'blocked' into a 'preferred' room by a host or VIP on the weekend (or holiday) you won't get it at Caesars AC (unless, perhaps, you wait till very late at night for check-in after no-shows and cancellations).

AC and Harrah's is a big game. The properties are way too small (especially with regard to suites) when it comes to the weekends. The one exception, being Harrah's which now has decent capacity due to the new Waterfront Tower; and IIRC is the current largest hotel property in New Jersey.

Theo rules all inour system. Diamond is agreat thing to have for the lounges but getting a the best room is all about theo......adt-average daily theo. I would love to help anyone thay is looking for assistance but I cant promise anything. I am way better that the coputer system when making reservation so just give me a chance.
King thanks for explaing the stystem and being so right on.
"lurking host"
Mike
mgrills@harrahs.com

Theo rules all inour system. Diamond is agreat thing to have for the lounges but getting a the best room is all about theo......adt-average daily theo. I would love to help anyone thay is looking for assistance but I cant promise anything. I am way better that the coputer system when making reservation so just give me a chance.
King thanks for explaing the stystem and being so right on.
"lurking host"
Mike
mgrills@harrahs.com

I can attest to the fact that Mike Grills is a 'real' Harrah's AC Market Host. I've conversed with him a few times, even though he is NOT my assigned host.

As Mike says above "just give me a chance" --- he's not making any promises, but I know from others that he does better than what you can get with the harrahs.com online reservation system. Of course, YMMV.

Good Luck!

Theo rules all inour system. Diamond is agreat thing to have for the lounges but getting a the best room is all about theo......adt-average daily theo. I would love to help anyone thay is looking for assistance but I cant promise anything. I am way better that the coputer system when making reservation so just give me a chance.
King thanks for explaing the stystem and being so right on.
"lurking host"
Mike
mgrills@harrahs.com

I can vouch for Mike. He came through for me a few months ago and made it happen. Thanks Mike!

Everything is based on your theoretical (or ADT). If you gamble just a "little" you can be hurting yourself, as that will lower your average, in a general sense. So, while the casino will encourage you to "ALWAYS USE YOUR CARD" it's actually NOT the best idea to get rated (or put your card in a machine) if you are going to have very minor play. (of course, if you ALWAYS have minor play, then it doesn't really make a difference ;);) )


Blah, I regret all those times I popped down there for a birthday and only had 1-2 hours to gamble.

Does the Harrah's system dock you a bit if you get a comped room but don't gamble?

My friend recently got a room for us and by the time we got down to AC he was tired and went to sleep. The next morning he had breakfast and then left.

Does the Harrah's system dock you a bit if you get a comped room but don't gamble?

My friend recently got a room for us and by the time we got down to AC he was tired and went to sleep. The next morning he had breakfast and then left.
Harrahs does state (in the fine print) that "some" gambling activity is expected. (Would only 1 cent count?:p) Otherwise they "could" charge for the room?
My guess is that if this occurred on a regular basis one could be penalized.

Only 1 time did I stay at Harrah's Las Vegas and not partake of the gaming tables. It did seem like my offers went down for awhile until I visited another establishment. No matter how much or how little I Play, Harrah's Horseshoe Bossier City is always sending me something ....

I've never had this problem whenever I do an online reservation or call my parent's casino host. I guess having a host who we know for a very long time allows us to get the rooms we want everytime and even at properties like Caesar's even though they play at Harrah's Resort alot.

I feel like the online reservation says the rooms are full because they are looking for another source of revenue along with gambling. People who book the room and gamble gives the casino, double the amount of revenue. However, if you COMP the room to a guest and they gamble, then they lose a certain amount of money too. It also depends on what is going on during that tine also, since I've been very active in that casino for 5 years I've noticed it's harder to get a room when theres a concert, show, huge promotion, or holiday. Being a Diamond doesn't even matter in my opinion unless you reach the 50,000 tier score mark which all comes from past experience.

Does anyone know if Mike Grills is still active at Harrahs and on this or any other forums?

I've been trying to get in touch with him and usually he is very responsive.

Thanks!