Host - How's that work?

Yes. Dr. King gave that speech during the march. I'll have to mark August 28th on my calendar. That's the actual anniversary of the march and speech.

Thanks FFlowers, always good to remember the past, even if it's sometimes painful. It's how we make the future better.

Ok, thank you for everyone's advice. I was a little nervous but I went ahead and sent an email to the host. I asked if they would be able to help us with food comps, transportation, or a room upgarde. Here's what I got:

Food Comp - Exactly as smerrian had said, charge to my room and then upon check out the host will evaluate whether or not we qualify for comps. His exact quote was "I will evaluate both play". I was a little curious if this meant both as in last time and this time or if it meant my fiances and my play. We only play on her card (we get two) so all comps go in her name and add up better.

Transportation - Our last play wasn't enough to cover for transportation costs.

Room upgrade - He said he would put in the request but keep in mind this is based on availability. Still cool!

So I guess I just call/email when I leave and hope that I get this host to comp for me? Maybe I should do this a day or two before we leave to make sure I don't miss them?

Thanks again for the help. I imagine I sound pretty clueless right now.

Crap, one more thing I wanted to ask about. The host said "keep in mind even though you have complimentary accomodation for your room, you still would have to cover for those nights." The hell? I guess that might mean they are expecting the same level of play to cover for the nights they gave us...?

I have a bad feeling about that. It's my understanding that you must play enough to otherwise cover the cost of your room BEFORE they'll consider comping you anything over what the value of the room is. So that, in theory, you actually start your trip in the hole in the dollar amount equal to the amount of your # nights stay at TI. Folks who have stayed at TI may have first hand knowledge, but that's my understand, at least.

Agree...rather ominous, or perhaps just a scare tactic to think you must play more. At least he was up front about it.

Hey, don't get caught up in that Host mentality, like they are supposed to treat you just because you stay and play a bit. You'll end up playing $1000 to get a $15 meal.

Just have fun and take what they give you, don't let it spoil your vacation.

I have had hosts for years, first at Venetian, then at Mandalay Bay when she moved over there.

Based on my experiences, here is what I think:

(1) When your new host said "I will evaluate both play", he definitely means both you and your fiance. In the future, you can ask your host to book your room as a "share with", meaning both occupants' play is evaluated together to achieve the level of play he/she is expecting for comps.

(2) Your specific host does not need to be working on the day you check out. Instead of asking an unknown host to evaluate your play at the end of your stay for additional comps such as restaurant charges on your room bill, ask the host desk/VIP lounge/front desk to leave your account "OPEN" when you check out. They will then understand that you want your host to evaluate your play when he/she returns to work that week. Nothing will be charged to your credit card, then, until your host has had a look at it.

(3) Your upfront free night coupons are generated by the Casino Marketing department, not the hosts themselves. However, comps are comps in terms of rooms. In other words, your future offers from marketing are dependent on your previous stay's play. As my host once said, "you wouldn't be invited back" if you didn't meet the expected play on your last trip. It isn't a "scare tactic" or any kind of a threat, since the host is only matching what the marketing department is giving you upfront. It only becomes problematic if the host has taken a chance and "overcomped" you, as in giving you a suite upgrade in advance of your stay.

(4) Even if you continue to receive free night coupons in the mail, continue to always book those marketing department coupons through your host, not the phone number listed on the coupons. Your host does indeed get credit for you play, as his salary/bonuses are based on bringing in players and retaining them.

(5) If you find a good host, stay with them. We once were lured into trying out a new host at a casino where we've never played ---at the Cosmo. It didn't work out well for us. He comped us upfront, basically "status matching" our player's card level at Venetian. We ended up hating the casino for many reasons and so gambled very little in our three night stay. Well, he emailed me and called me repeatedly during that three night stay, insisting he see "more play" from me in the casino immediately. He had "overcomped" me upfront, always a risky thing for a host to do for a new, unknown player, and he "lost." It happens.

(6) There are different comp levels, and you work your way up to levels that include free rides to/from McCarran or food comps upfront. But, I would never ever gamble more than is comfortable for the sake of saving the $12 cab fare to TI or wherever.

A bit of warning. I've used hosts for several years and have had several good ones. But there has also been the ones you have to be careful with. For instance on my last stay I asked a host to make my reservation for the comped rooms and also for the steak house comp. She confirmed making them, but when I showed up at the steak house there was no reservation (so I lost a $150 comp) and no openings left for the evening.
I always call the hotel and double check that the reservation has been made and now I know better than let the host make restaurant reservations for me.