Just call ahead. I called a host that Quiet Lion recommended at Mandalay Bay. I am not a big time gambler, mostly just poker room and $0.25 poker video slots.

We had a check-in problem. Called the host. He put us in the VIP lounge and fixed up the check-in problem for us. We also got a free night due to a plumbing problem. All I did was slip him a twenty. As for the gambling, I think I won $100 at the poker tables, and lost about the same on the video poker slots. One doesn't have to be a whale to be treated well by the casino hosts. The host was very polite and helpful.