Tropicana offer

 I received an e-mail offer from the Tropicana this morning offering me 2 free nights starting from today thru September 30. I tried to see if rooms were available for 2 nights, but the calendar provided showed "no availability" for August and September. I then called the Tropicana on the provided number and spoke to a reservation agent. I was told that the online calendar was controlled by computer and would show "no availability", but he could over ride the computer to book rooms. I then asked if the rooms were free, which he said they were, BUT I would have to pay a resort fee. I then said the rooms, therefore were not really free. He then asked if I had read the "fine print", to which I replied that I had gotten my microscope out and had read the "fine print". He asked for my player's card number, which I gave to him. He then told me that even though my play was high, it was not enough to get the rip off "resort" fees waved. Then he asked if the offer could have been from the "M" resort, which is a sister property, because the offer could have been from them. I told him that I had not played at the "M" for at least 2 years and read to him what the e-mail said - to wit, "Your Exclusive Tropicana Rewards Have Arrived". To be perfectly clear, I then told him that the "offer" for 2 "free" nights was not really free since I would have to pay the rip off "resort" fee, to which he said was correct. I told him thanks, but no thanks.I then sent a reply to the Tropicana stating that I would not set foot into the Tropicana again, unless they stopped using this deceptive marketing "free" room ploy or until they were sold to someone new who knew how to market truthfully. I currently have offers from 8 different casinos that I frequent, all offering free rooms without having to pay the rip off "resort" fees. I have been visiting Vegas for over 30 years and remember that comped rooms meant COMPED- exclusive of any additional fees. This "free" room (+ "resort" fee charges) bastardization ploy used by casinos today should be illegal, but the scummy casinos are utilizing it to gouge the unsuspecting - and they are getting away with it, with more casinos jumping on board. I suggest that all who receive such offers peruse the offer with a fine toothed comb or microscope, and to reject any "free" room offers that charge a rip off "resort" fee. 

It's nothing new. I've gotten many such "free room" offers. You're correct, in that "free" used to and still should mean "free." But I remember back in 2005, I think it was, I checked in to the Palms on a "free room" offer and was surprised to be charged $50 a night.

Another assumption people make that is no longer valid is that comped rooms include comping the resort fees. I reacted to that by saying "Since when does 'comp' mean..." But of course. I got nowhere.

So your advice is sound: read the fine print. In a couple of instances, that fine print has been a notice in 4-point type at the very bottom of an offer email.

I haven't set foot in the Tropicana in 15+ years and don't see any compelling reason to go back.

I did get a totally free offer for one night at Binions or the Four Queens if I book one night at 25 percent off. I'll probably take them up on that offer in December since Friday and Saturdays are included.

Regarding that one night at 25 percent off, beware of what happened to me (not at either of those hotels but...).

I had an offer for three free nights, Strip hotel.  The freebies were of course for Sun-Thurs.  We wanted to come in on a Saturday as well and were willing to pay the discounted rate available for that one night.  To my shock I found out that because I was PAYING for the one night, the Resort Fee was applied to all four nights.  I was sent here and there to "talk to" somebody who might fix that.  Nope.  Finally a Host comped me for some meals or something that helped a little money-wise, but she said nothing else she could do.  I was not a high roller, but neither was I a low roller, and I was a regular at the place.  Grrr.

Just be sure that paying for the one night doesn't override the offer for the free night.  That's all.

Candy

  The real plus to the offer for Binions and the 4 Queens is that neither of those casinos charge a rip off "resort" fee. I recently used the same offer and ended up not paying a cent since I had/have several hundred dollars in my comp account at the 4 Queens.

Sounds like you'll be fine.  I'm sort of snake bit about that sort of thing ever since my experience, so I bore folks to death repeating my story even though it was years ago.  Good for Binions and the 4 Queens for not charging a RF.  

Candy

Candy,

I guess the object lesson is, don't ever assume you'll be treated fairly; don't tell yourself anything like "of course they won't charge me for that," and most of all, don't let the terminally bored expression and dull monotone of the deskling deter you from asking a lot of questions, including--particularly including--the ones you shouldn't need to ask ("Is there any additional charge if I use the toilet more than twice a day?").

I do feel that the casinos will move back to a business model of customer service, away from their present stance of "Be glad you're here, peasant."

Seems to me that the current Vegas resort / casino gouging mindset can't be sustained. When visitation numbers eventually dwindle (once the current hysteria subsides), these companies will have to revert to reasonable enticements to draw in consistent visitors / players. We might then eventually see them return to a competitive stance regarding their most important resource..the customer base. I'll admit that currently, that might totally appear as wishful thinking. Currently, it probably is wishful thinking. We'll see.

Charles, what they're doing now can't be sustainable. I think people have only tolerated the gouge because of the feelings of deprivation lingering from the pandemic and the large savings many built up when they couldn't spend it on fun.

In addition, there's that magic factor that's supposed to level out price gouging in situations like this--competition. The casinos have done their best to become a colluding cartel, but there will always be defectors. I mean, somebody will inevitably say, hey, they chop off both a customer's  arms, what would happen if I chopped off only one? And the glorious spirit of American capitalism will bring back 3:2 blackjack and the $8.95 buffet. And the hookers will charge less!

--Pollyanna