Sydfly

I could find cheaper rates, however, the cancellation policy on these sites was 12noon rather than 6pm hotel time on IHG...I didn't want to risk it because the cancellation deadline had passed already for me, so it would have been non-refundable even on the Best Flexible Rate. But I didn't want to be stuck with a $599 rate at the Venetian in the end. So, points it is for me.

baccarat_king

expand please

Did you link your Grazie account to the room? Seems that you were on a revenue room (not comp). Did they cover part of your revenue room rate (i.e. make some days comp instead of revenue?).

bello

I did link Grazie to room but used my comps on other stuff and check out reflected full room rate.

baccarat_king

Did you check with a host? Usual convention, if the room is booked directly (i.e. NOT a 3rd party booking) is to ask for some $$ off of your room rate, if your play has been strong. It's not unusual for a host to knock off $50/$100/$150 per night from the room rate (for one or multiple nights). This is in addition to using your comps for other (F&B, Spa) items.

Hosts have the ability to 'adjust' your room rate as play warrants; since COMP rooms are basically the 'candy' doled out by casino properties to players. Though, "V/P" is a little bit more draconian than most with regard to 'working off' your COMP-room, when you are brought in as an "Invited Guest" on a COMP-room offer.

bello

this was first visit to this property so not familiar with their comp policies-wasn't too concerned about room rates as trip included business. Did a fair bit of gambling after hours though_ I can PM you on details for an opinon if you have experience here

baccarat_king

I was really just replying/curious about your quote :

since I would be surprised if they did very much 'automatically.'

Your best offers will probably come the form of marketing offers. I know "V/P" likes a solid $250, $350 (dice) average to start getting above and beyond your marketing offer (room+whatever else they offer).

If room rate reductions weren't an issue (business), then pushing for maximum F&B comps was the way to go.

Sydfly

I was under the impression that the Venetian would upgrade RAs to have Prestige lounge access. Re-reading the previous pages it sounds like they make you buy Prestige access even as RA?

Has anyone asked to be upgraded to the Club (Prestige) instead of getting the room upgrade? Don't we have a choice as RAs? I'd rather have Prestige access than a "view" upgrade which to me isn't really worth it if I can see the strip from the lounge.

Also, would someone be able to explain to me the difference between the VIP lounge (which RA's apparently have access to) and the Prestige lounge? Is there still breakfast served in the VIP lounge and they seem to have drinks there as well during the day?

Last time I stayed on the Prestige level they had a small breakfast selection with fruit, cereal, danishes etc and I think at night time they had some snacks...can't remember whether there was free alcohol or not. Is that similar to what you get in the VIP lounge or is this more like a special conciergy desk?

tangey

My understanding is that the Venetian doesn't have prestige, only the palazzo has prestige level. There are many reports on here of people staying at the palazzo as RA, and no one has ever gotten a prestige level upgrade.

In fact I have a 4 night booking, I BOOKED a prestige level suite, and my RA has so far got me an upgrade from prestige luxury to prestige luxury "view", a room type that is NOT bookable, i.e. effectively a 1/2 level upgrade at best. Even challenging this by email resulted in a "maybe" upgrade to a bella at checkin, which is a "maybe" 1 level upgrade...very poor. I wonder is it because it was booked via a 3rd party site ? (which *should* not make a difference)

With regarding to VIP and prestige lounge at the palazzo, my understanding is that RAs (and some grazie members) have access to the VIP lounge which is beside the checkin desks. Only prestige bookings have access to THAT lounge which provides somewhat more substantial food and berverage options.

The above is info I have gleened from the threads here, I havn't actually stayed yet.

Sydfly

Sorry, I was meant to say Palazzo rather than Venetian.

I'd like to know what they offer in the VIP lounge in terms of food/drinks throughout the day. If they have a decent spread I don't think I'll pay the $100+ again to upgrade to the Prestige floor. We stayed there last January and I don't think it's worth that much.

bello

At Palazzo VIP lounge next to front desk-basically small sandwiches, cheese, fruit, coffee and some juice. alcohol if requested- 24 hours a day

boar

Given the free alcohol includes free Moet, I cant believe Prestige level is worth
the extra cost given you are in Vegas. I found the limited offerings perfectly adequate.

I have a question. Given that guests are not normally expected to tip staff in IC lounges what would be the right thing to do in this lounge wrt tipping. As it's Vegas everybody expects a tip even if they are incredibly rude and uncooperative.

baccarat_king

I don't stay at Palazzo/Venetian anymore (since last year); and I never paid for a Prestige upgrade (it was always comp'ed), but
The Lounge was open daily from 5AM to 11PM
- Breakfast served from 5AM to 11AM
- Afternoon presentation from noon to 4PM
- Evening drinks and hor d'oeuvres from 5PM to 9PM

I seem to recall that the evening hours included a selection of alcoholic cocktails including champagne.

I found the lounge very useful for cappuccinos in the AM hours. And, they did make a most excellent cappuccino. I like to take brekkie of cappuccino and fruit, so this worked perfectly for me. Since I didn't pay for the lounge, the 'value equation' wasn't really that much of an issue for me. My guess, is that if you didn't take advantage of the evening cocktail hours, it's probably not worth it.

Susiew237

we stayed at the Palazzo in august (my partner is an RA). No upgrade to prestige but we did use the VIP lounge next to check in extensively. Tea and coffee and sandwiches and cheese pretty much 24 hrs, danishes for breakfast, nothing too exciting. You can get an alcoholic drink (even a cocktail) if you request one. Sometimes the service in here was hit and miss, eg, you'd really have to catch someone's eye and ask them for a drink. I wanted a glass of sauvignon blanc one day but they didnt have any??? They ran out of martini glasses and so the cosmopolitan I ordered was in a tumbler glass. I tipped just because I had got into the tipping mentality (I'm a kiwi so tipping is not the norm for us! ) I would leave my tip under teh empty glass when I left. Dont know if that was how to do it or not.

Land-of-Miles

The RA lounge really doesn't feel like a comfortable place to spend time I think it is intended as a pitstop between gambling activity. It certainly isn't a place you would want to hang around in for a whle.

I paid for a prestige Fortuna suite last month and was upgraded to something between a prestige Siena suite and a prestige largo suite. The prestige lounge is an infinitely more pleasan place to spend time than the RA lounge epecially Sun to Thurs once the crowds have died down. It has a great view over the strip and treasure island pirate show. Now that the minibar credit has reduced the prestige lounge looks like something of a bargain at $50.

I didn't tip at all in the RA lounge and in the prestige lounge left a dollar each time I visited the bar for drinks. Then again I am British and don't believe in tipping for essentially self service at a bar or buffet.

baccarat_king

That's because it's NOT a RA lounge. It's basically a VIP check-in lounge; mostly meant to be used when checking in.

Before the IC program, and still today, it is meant as the check-in lounge for Grazie Platinum; the highest tier in the Grazie program. While they did lower the requirements this year, the overall requirements (of play/gaming) for Grazie Platinum are rather monumental.

With that being said, those who are Grazie Platinum and checking in at the VIP check-in (lounge) would 90%+ of the time be RFB guests at Venetian/Palazzo. So, they can basically get complimentary cocktails at any of the casino and property bars. In addition, they have access to a multitude of beverages and such while gaming, especially in high limit. Not to mention, complimentary room service (unlimited mini-bar) and such. So, there really wouldn't be a logical reason for a Grazie Platinum to be 'hanging out' in the VIP check-in lounge other than to check-in, or to deal with some room/accommodation issues.

Now, there is a 'proper' VIP Lounge at the top of Palazzo; which is Paiza Club, but that's a whole different level.