Casino Hosts

[smartone618]

I travel on business to Las Vegas once or twice a month for 1-3 days each visit. For some time I've bounced around the various properties, never concentrating my business or play. I finally settled on the Hard Rock and have been exclusively staying there since spring.

I'm not a "whale" by any stretch and will put 800-1,000 points a day on the Rockstar card unwinding for several hours after meetings.

I read that it's important to meet a casino host if you're going to frequent a particular property no matter what level your play and the Hard Rock lists them and their e-mails on their website. I sent a few e-mails in prepartation for my upcoming visit and have gotten no response.

My questions is... what do you folks think about casino hosts and is it a big deal to make their aquaintence? Since my association pays for my travel, a comped room isn't something I'm interested in as much as maybe being considered for a room upgrade once in awhile or a pass into Vanity or something like that.

Do you have to be a high-roller for this stuff?

[BobbyLight]

I travel on business to Las Vegas once or twice a month for 1-3 days each visit. For some time I've bounced around the various properties, never concentrating my business or play. I finally settled on the Hard Rock and have been exclusively staying there since spring.

I'm not a "whale" by any stretch and will put 800-1,000 points a day on the Rockstar card unwinding for several hours after meetings.

I read that it's important to meet a casino host if you're going to frequent a particular property no matter what level your play and the Hard Rock lists them and their e-mails on their website. I sent a few e-mails in prepartation for my upcoming visit and have gotten no response.

My questions is... what do you folks think about casino hosts and is it a big deal to make their aquaintence? Since my association pays for my travel, a comped room isn't something I'm interested in as much as maybe being considered for a room upgrade once in awhile or a pass into Vanity or something like that.

Do you have to be a high-roller for this stuff?

As often as you visit they should definitely appreciate your business, whale or not. You've already been tracking your play so next time you're at a table ask the pit boss to speak to a host and ask about the comp policies.

[Chris77]

Generally at the lower levels of play you are expected to just check-in to your reservation and charge everything to your room (upgrades, cover charges, meals etc.) and then, at the END of the stay, you stop by or call the host office to have a host review your play and then he/she comps off whatever dollar amount from your hotel bill they determine is justified. If you are approaching the big baller level they will also likely give you a business card and invite you to "give me a call next time you are thinking of coming down".

But for the low/mid-range, being comped by a host is a pretty dry transaction and not nearly as personal or glamorous an experience as it looks like on TV.

[smartone618]

Thanks for the info... I finally heard from John K. at the Hard Rock and he thought another host was working with me. He apologized for the mix-up and I'll meet him when I head down in a couple weeks. You're right though, everything revolves around the level of "play" and that's cool. He asked me to always contact him when I book my room and let him know... and I'll do my best to raise my point total.

[alaxander]

One of the most important members of the casino staff you will is the Casino Host. Establish a good relationship with the host can save a hundred dollars. Host of the Casino will try to please the best casino patron, and their best customers will probably have to satisfy any reasonable requests. Additional services will give players the power of the host casino. Comps will be additional meals, drinks to find out, and show tickets casino hotel accommodations for the right impression.

[kimball]

Glad to hear the host got back with you. I would think he'll want to keep you coming to the Hard Rock... since you will be staying there twice a month for a few days.

I would just lay out the deal with him... I picked the HR as my spot... my rooms / food / and whatever else is covered through work... what can you do for me for staying and playing with you twice every month. He should do something to keep your business.

[MikeyTantalo]

I travel on business to Las Vegas once or twice a month for 1-3 days each visit. For some time I've bounced around the various properties, never concentrating my business or play. I finally settled on the Hard Rock and have been exclusively staying there since spring.

I'm not a "whale" by any stretch and will put 800-1,000 points a day on the Rockstar card unwinding for several hours after meetings.

I read that it's important to meet a casino host if you're going to frequent a particular property no matter what level your play and the Hard Rock lists them and their e-mails on their website. I sent a few e-mails in prepartation for my upcoming visit and have gotten no response.

My questions is... what do you folks think about casino hosts and is it a big deal to make their aquaintence? Since my association pays for my travel, a comped room isn't something I'm interested in as much as maybe being considered for a room upgrade once in awhile or a pass into Vanity or something like that.

Do you have to be a high-roller for this stuff?

PM me if you havent made your mind up yet... I have a few in my phone..

[MangoPort]

A good host can make a big difference for some of the smaller issues that you don't want to deal with - restaurants full, no show tickets, etc.

But even at the small/mid level you can get stuff easier if you know the person. If you want a buffet line pass and you know who you're speaking to you'll just get it, no questions asked. If you don't, they ask for your players card, go to their computer, make a note of what they gave you and deduct if from your overall "comps"

[Nakom99]

For the most part, a host won't deal with you unless you get to the $25 a hand on table games (I don't know about slots - don't play them). That is the minimum to get 'rated' by the hotel. No rating = no comps.

One of the best things you can do for comps, is get a players card and use it everywhere no matter how big or small you play. Then open a line of credit at the casino that you prefer to stay at. Open one for around $5000. You don't even have to use it, or bet big, just having it helps your comps a ton. 3rd thing is get a host, and make a point to see him / say hello every trip. After a while you can just email your host before you go down with a list of things you want (show tickets / suite / airport limo / ect).

[jajayao]

If you play slots, always have a club card. You will get comps or at least discount hotel offers even if you hardly play or just do 5 cents a spin.

I have a host at MGM who has been very useful in securing show tickets and comping meals. With the new MLife program, I think the hosts are going to be a bit more stingy since the computer pretty much tells you how much you are getting comped.