Jean Scott's Frugal Vegas

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Casino Extra Charges Revisited

Posted At : April 29, 2009 2:29 PM | Posted By : J Scott
Related Categories: Stations,Money Matters,Comments

My discussion about a “resort fee” a couple of days ago generated a lot of comments, both here and in emails to me privately. This is a bigger hot point than I had originally thought. 

Many responders wondered why I didn’t call out the casino where this incident happened to me. As a rule, I like to give general advice about a subject as much as possible. I didn’t want people just to be careful about this one casino, but to always go over their bill before they check out of any hotel. Another factor is that I hate to give negative publicity to one person or company when it might be just an isolated honest mistake. 

However, this time I am going to mention the casino. It was Green Valley Ranch. Now I like the Stations casinos. They run some great promotions. Brad and I have played at a Station casino for many years and plan to continue doing so as long as they have good video poker games and good promotions. But I hope someone with decision-making authority there will read my blog entries about this situation and also take note of the comments and realize that dinging players with extra charges is negative PR that is pushing customers away. 

Speaking of reader comments here, there is a lot of helpful information in them. When you read my blog, you may be missing them. You have to scroll down below the blog entry on the left side of the page to see a list of “Recent Comments.” However, some people don’t comment on a particular blog entry right away. So if you are interested in a specific subject, click on the title of a particular blog entry and at the end of it you will be able to see all the comments that have been written.

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It Does Pay to Check

Posted At : April 25, 2009 2:07 PM | Posted By : Administrator
Related Categories: Money Matters

I just had an experience that reinforced my strong belief that you need to keep a very watchful eye on all business you conduct with a casino. Actually this is true for any business matters, but sometimes it seems that casinos may have more tricks up their sleeves – or maybe I just have more business matters with casinos than with other businesses. 

Whatever the case, here is the snafu I just faced. I made a reservation at a locals casino for a relative who was going to be in town for just an overnight stay. I usually make reservations through a host, but this time I just went through the regular reservation system to use a one-night-free offer that came in my monthly mailer. At the time I made the reservation, I asked if there were any extra fees. No, they said, it would be completely free. When I checked in, I asked this same question, specifically mentioning a “resort fee” that I had heard some upscale local casinos sometimes charge. No, that would not be charged. 

You guessed it – what was on the bill when ready for TV checkout the next morning? A $27.49 “resort fee.” 

A simple call to the front desk and this charge was “waived.” But I wonder how many people would just leave their keys in the room and assume that a “free” room night would not have a charge so they wouldn’t check the bill. How many people might not closely check their credit card bills and see the charge for a “free” room?

Did the casino make a simple mistake – or was it a “trick”? 

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Abolishing the $100 Bill?

Posted At : March 8, 2008 5:12 PM | Posted By : J Scott
Related Categories: Money Matters

Interesting column in today’s Las Vegas Sun (originally appearing in the Providence Journal)about how abolishing the $100 bill would be a good tactic to fight crime and terrorism. The article asks the question: “Most purchases of more than $20 that Americans make are in the form of a check, a wire transfer, or a credit or debit card. So who has the need for the $100 bill?” 

Well, I can think of one category – casino gamblers! However, I am willing to make some sacrifices if it would indeed make a major problem for criminals and terrorists. In fact, when I play at the higher denominations, one of my least favorite chores is feeding the bill acceptors. So I would like to be able to write a check or give a debit card to the casino and they would give me a ticket to insert or download the credits I have bought right to the machine I am playing. That is so handy in the casinos that already provide this convenient service. 

I’m sure some “underground” gamblers would not like this system. They don't want a paper trail that the IRS can follow.   

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