Contacting a host

Through out the years, I have read several threads on contacting a host. Several hosts are non-responsive and fail to return phone calls or emails. My thoughts are the host does not want to be up front and say past play does not warrant their involvement. Yet, they want the customer to keep on coming back by use of offers, instead of them visiting another casino. What are your thoughts?

My other thought is they are too busy to respond. I am a low roller, but use a host at a down town Boyd casino. Sometimes, it takes up to two emails for a response. Since they do eventually respond, I keep on contacting them. On my last visit, I saw my host and booked reservations for my next trip. She gave me the reservation number and stated she would email me the confirmation. I did not hear from her, so I called the reservation number a couple of weeks later and received verbal confirmation.

Unless your a mid to high roller,A host these days doesn't really mean much. Yes, they are over worked, with far fewer hosts for the customer base.
My own thoughts are that I think upper management wants to seem like they are offering the "status"of a host,and try to make the average gambler feel important.The only problem is that for many a host cannot do anything extra. I feel that I can make my own reservations online, and use my earned comps to reduce my charges.I can go online to see my offers,so...what do I need a host for? Bob

Based on your level of play, there are "discretionary" comps available for many if not most players. The Players Club will not "unlock" those discretionary comps. A host can.

As a "general" rule of thumb, the host can make available an amount about of perhaps 33% of your current action, "losses" or ADT. They can also do so based on your past play history.

In some places, the Players Club CSR can issue "discretionary" comps, a buffet, meal, etc, sometimes only their supervisor, or in many places, only a host. Sometimes the Pit Bosses can also do something. But in most every casino, the host can issue more comps for just about any player, if they so choose. It is up to you to convince them.

As RoadTrip mentioned, those additional perks are why I try to book through a host. Most room offers are for four nights, but the host can allow more days.

At the downtown Boyd casino, a guest may be given a Silver or Gold card on check in. The Silver card allows access at the buffets or low level restaurants/cafes. The Gold card is their top comp pass and allows access to all restaurants.

The meals are free and is not deducted from bonus points. Bonus points can be used for guests at the restaurant or buffet. Another perk is when there are long lines during Seafood/Steak Buffet nights. There is a separate entry line at Fremont and MSS.

getting back to the original post:

yes, hosts are overworked and cater to their assigned higher rollers. you dont have to be a high roller but you have to be "worth it" to them.

at many casinos, the host's annual bonus depends on how much you play. if the host does work for you and you are part of his list, and you bring down the host's "average" the host will dump you or wish you'd go away.

Another point worth noting,your chances of getting benefits from a host are much better at "off strip" properties. Bob

Nowhere did I mention being assigned a host.
My point is that if you go to the trouble of finding a host, they are able to issue discretionary comps you would normally not be able to unlock.

I make it a practice to always seek out the host office, and drop in during a visit, after giving a little action. I am far from deserving a host, but by meeting one, and making a new friend or acquaintance, I am able to find out the basic ground rules, what is required for certain comps, etc. I "learn" the system for that property so I am better prepared to ask for something I am, or may be, entitled too.

The host has discretionary power to issue additional comps over and above what marketing does. Even if you receive a $5.00 FSP in your mailer, you are in the system, and perhaps the host or hostess will issue you a buffet or meal comp.

I am not saying you should "acquire" a host. They all have power of the pen, although "senior" hosts have more leeway. I am saying that it never hurts to take the time to visit the office, make a new "friend", and ask what they will do for you.

I've gotten comps for meals, been offered a room, etc in casino's I'd never placed a wager inside of, because I met a host immediately upon entering.

Believe it or not, hosts do not want to say "NO". They do not want you walking out the door, their job is to develop new players.

MoneyLA and RoadTrip know what they're talking about.

I laugh when I read many who question what more can a host do for me more than just the Players Club / direct Casino Players line and internet can.

It took me months of in-depth research and the kindness of two senior hosts at two different famous 5 star strip properties to find out what the secret workings, and truly how much more above and beyond the Players Club comps they can provide if they want. They have discretionary comp levels they can sign-off on and then there are cases where they will present the case to their supervisor (usually Director of Player Development) to convince them to grant the extra comp for a good player. A good player is one who FREQUENTS the casino often and has a threshold bet size they are looking for.

One Secret: One of the hosts told me they have the power to grant double the comps you generated by your play--If you're not abusing the comps every visit. The Casino Line or Players Club can't do that.

Whenever I've asked my host for two suites comped up front instead of one, he has granted my request. In comparison, if I call the Players Club line, they will say the 2nd room will be charged at xxx rate and can't do it.

Try asking for Ameneties to be delivered to your room no charge from the Casino / Players Club line. They can't do it. Will tell you to call room service, pay for it, and then based upon your play, the host-on-duty can look at your play and see if it warrants comping. A host-on-duty doesn't know you and won't bend over backwards like your personal host will. And your personal host WILL provide ameneties you desire up front, comp'd.

Having a host can also help in so many other ways. Recently the valet service mutilated my car remote key. Only discovered it when I got home. I emailed my host about this, who immediately emailed the head of Valet services and Security Services, who then contacted Risk Management, and the next thing I know I have an email from the head of Risk asking me how much a replacement key would cost, and for me to get it replaced and send them the bill or bring it next time. Effortless!

Imagine what red tape you would have had to go through otherwise, including first off, arguing with the Valet station that the remote key was indeed damaged by them, and was not brought in damaged in the first place!

A good host is worth their weight in gold. And a good--frequent--player is worth their weight in gold to a host.
[Not necessarily a big player, but a FREQUENT player. So, if you aren't a big player, become a frequent player, and the host will value you as it adds to his/her bottom line bonus for $$$ throughput he/she generated for the casino. The greater the $$$ throughput for the casino, the happier the casino is since most big properties look at the theoretical loss on the amount of play as the benchmark.]

I would say all of this is true, so long as you're not a Caesar's Entertainment gambler. That said, I'm NOT a big enough player (although I am a frequent CE player) to warrant much over what I get comped either before my arrival or what my points have totaled up to upon leaving.

As far as Caesar's goes, their reward system is pretty easy to understand. we never use a host because we know our rewars points are going to be used first. In addition, we make our reservations online, and have no trouble getting extended stays in both of our names. I can generally get two or three nights comped midweek at Paris, while my husband can get 5 days, including weekends. The last couple of times, we didn't have to switch rooms.

His assigned host did take the time to come into the diamond Lounge to speak with us and basically conformed what I said above. We charged one meal to the room (we usually just pay with points at the point of purchase to save the tax) and when we checked out, that was removed from our bill. We assumed the host did this after our meeting. Granted, it was a small amount, but it was much appreciated by us.

If we ever had something unusual to request, we would contact him.

Joy