Holiday weekend craziness at the Wynn buffet. Prices almost doubled, lines running 3 hours and I can't use any of the comps I earned or exchange them for line passes.

Short of playing $100 hands for 3 hours, does anyone have any tips on getting a line pass or does someone have extra passes to share?

1) If you're there on Amex FHR it's a "VIP" benefit.
2) When I was there there was a slot promotion where you got a VIP pass & comp buffet after a reasonably small amount of slot play. New redcard players only - and I think $10 comp coin as well. IIRC, two buffets + line pass was doable about cost of one buffet.

Host won't just write you one?

I've heard from many new Wynn players who were disappointed because their intro slot comp did not include a line pass, unlike the regular buffet comp. Dunno if that's changed recently.

Unless you're a mega player, all buffet comps are blocked for holiday weekends...apparently every holiday weekend, not just Xmas and NYE. I have 2 comps from play that I haven't been able to use for a year because of this rule.

Hosts aren't writing line passes during the holiday unless you're a huge player. I did see they are charging an extra $10pp for the VIP PKG including line pass, champagne and 10% off buffet the next day.

I will say one thing - the place is empty and most of the game tables are closed and the slots deserted. The only crowd is around the buffet.

You can get a great lunch at Red 8 or Wazuzu, rarely a wait. I much prefer it to the buffet.

My wife was able to obtain one for us during check-in at the Encore this January. She built up some good rapport with the clerk and asked if it was possible to get a line pass. The clerk said that they normally don't have any (or didn't give them out) at the front desk but said she'd check. She then disappeared to the back for a few mins and reappeared with a line pass (this on top of the mini-upgrade to a panoramic suite). The wife responded with a nice tip of course.

I guess my point is that:
1a. If you want something in Vegas, you can't be timid to ask (standard protocol)
1b. It can't hurt being polite and friendly
2. You can obtain line passes from non-standard channels but YMMV as it's dependent on whether or not the person you're asking can and is willing to pull some strings/favours for you.

I'm surprised by this, because I've never had a problem getting line passes at Bellagio during holidays - even years ago (I'd hardly consider myself a mega player even now, much less back in those days). I guess I don't get why Wynn decides to alienate gamblers with play history over holiday buffets. What's really the expense here, making non-gambling buffet-only visitors wait a bit longer? I could understand them wanting to assign a higher value to comps to reflect the often-increased holiday buffet pricing, but not eliminating comps entirely. That just seems silly.

Not all comps - you could still play big ($50-$100 BJ hands and up) for an hour or so and ask for a buffet without a problem, but any buffet promo comps or comps earned through lower-limit play were blocked.

Stay in the Tower Suites! Your room key serves as your line pass!

This is not true. I was told "no it's not a line pass" today at the Red Card counter and I'm in a Salon suite. The lady said it was a RFB comp only.

I would ask in order of preference the buffet cashier or a casino host, not the players' card desk employee. In every hotel in Vegas that I know of an RFB comp entitles you to cut the line at the buffet. If they won't, there is always the gourmet room or the steakhouse!

You are totally correct. I just called the front desk at the Tower Suites to confirm, and YES, your Tower Suites room key IS a line pass at The Buffet and Terrace Point Cafe.

The players card desk lady was WRONG. Pisses me off too because I missed out on a comp buffet because I thought the line was too long. Serves me right for not double-checking...

So, again, as of April 2011, the Tower Suites room key CAN be used as a line pass.

I would have just tried it. What's the worst that'll happen? "Sorry sir, that doesn't work as a line pass."

Too late now. I read the sign and it didn't say anything about Tower Suites getting line pass. Makes me think they purposely don't tell even Tower Suite guests... when I checked in they said nothing about it either and there are mixed reports about it all over the web. Kind of a semi-secret semi-comp, if you want to call it that.

My fault for not following through and I missed out. Oh well, won't be making that mistake again.