Getting the Runaround at Strip Hotels Check-In

I'm a regular visitor to Vegas, and our family usually travels a week at a time, booking of the big Strip properties (ie. Palazzo, Bellagio, Caesar's, etc).

Because we fly in from the East Coast, we often arrive late at night on a Saturday or a Sunday. Usually when we arrive, we get the runaround "we're full" and we get issued temporary rooms and have a lot of hassle moving the next day. Usually we request rooms close by (or at least on the same floor, or with access on the same elevator bank), but often it means one of our rooms being temporary for a day or two. For our inconvenience, we sometimes get a one night "upgrade", but usually I don't find the inconvenience worth it, unless the upgrade is for the entire stay.

My question is, there's always some mystery back and forth between the check-in clerk and the back room when they assign rooms in this "overbooked" situation. Can anyone offer insight on what is going on back there?? Is there something we can do to either a) arrange a permanent upgrade for the week or b) get the same rooms we paid for for the entire week (yes, we pay in advance) without this major hassle? Should we be asking for a manager? Does sucking up to the clerk help? Are there special times / nights we should avoid flying in (or specific times we should try to arrive at to ensure upgrades?)

Any insight would be much appreciated (specifically Palazzo / Venetian would be most useful).

Welcome to the boards!!!

Paying in advance especially through a third party like Priceline puts you at the bottom of the priority list, you are not the customer but the customer of the customer.

I also fly in from the East but I land around noon. My room is often not yet ready so I always leave luggage in the rental car until I have a room key in hand.

I do agree that after a long flight the last thing I need is a hassle at the desk.

We also come in from the east coast. But take earlier flights.
The obvious answer is taking an earlier flight on Sunday instead of taking a late flight on Saturday night.

I had never really considered that "customer of a customer" business. I suppose that's true, but it's infuriating, especially because they already have my money for a whole WEEK and then they have the nerve to tell me there's no room set aside. I know it's not normal practice, but once they have my money, I feel they should be contractually bound to give me what I paid for (many times we haven't gotten the room type requested... another infuriating issue with Vegas). I just have a hard time with properties complaining they are dying and need customers, yet they treat returning guests like crap

Anyway though, that presents 2 interesting questions - 1) if I complain to my "vendor" (ie. Expedia - we're paying regular rates - I would expect less If I pricelined a room), will I get better service??? and 2) Will I get better service if I book directly with a property? In the past, the third party has seemed pretty transparent, so I hadn't considered if they play a factor in the situation....

As for flying in early, not always an option for us. And this has been an ongoing problem - we've checked in on Sundays, Saturdays, Tuesdays, and still always had the runaround regardless of day or time (best though, was checking in at Bellagio on a weekday - were upgraded to a Penthouse suite for the week!)

should not be this way ----but----casino workers ,all types, count on tips------if unable to get what you want,would suggest pulling out a $20 bill [put it on the counter with your hand covering half and then asking----would you kindly check again and see what you can do for me?-----works wonders--

When you reserve, is there a way to annotate late arrival?

Hotels overbook. The check-in folks are not keeping up with who on the list has already paid in full when there are humans stacked up at the check-in line.

Book through a host or marketing person who works for the hotel, if possible, and specify late arrival. Might help.

Better luck next time.

You always need to tell them you will be a late arrival. I have a flight from Hawaii and will get to GVR around midnight. I made sure the reservation person put a 1:00 AM arrival in several places on the reservation so it would be seen. She was very happy to do this for me.

I have stayed at more than a dozen Vegas resorts and have never experienced what you describe. But I have never booked through a third party - always direct.

Yes, I've also never booked through a third party but if I'm pretty sure that I will be arriving late, I make sure to have them note it. Otherwise, you are left to their whims since I think after a certain point in time, they can at their discretion give the room away.

RecVPPlayer

I also always book direct and have never had a problem and I have stayed at all of the strip properties. I would avoid coming in on a fri or sat.