maintaining historical level of play (?)

We fairly regularly recieve offers with similar fine print. These offers are not based on historical play but on our zip code or my wifes office address. The disclaimers will stipulate a certain level play to qualify, usually around $200 average bet over 4 hours per day, we are Anthony C fans and coupon hounds so this is way more than our usuall play. We have taken advantage of a couple of these offers, most noteably the SkyLoft at MGM. We had a great time but we certainly did not meet the host's expectations and we have not recived any further offers. The fine print was there on that offer but we were not charged for anything other than tips that we added to bills that we signed.
We have just recieved a four day offer from the Bellagio, again not based on any previous play but from a friends host who gathered our info when we stayed with our friend at his comped villa. There is no "fine print" on this offer as it is a personal letter from the host (perhaps I should look for hidden watermark disclaimers). He will be disapointed in our level of play as well.
The previous advice is very sound. Ask the host exactly what is expected.

I have run into the upfront comp warning outside the US: on Norwegian Cruise Lines & in The Bahamas both Atlantis and Crystal Palace reserve to right to charge you if your level of play falls below your expected play. They look at your upfront comps (air &room) and make sure you've played enjoy to cover it Before they consider comp'ing off your room charges for food, etc. I've never had a problem with this playing $1 VP and Slots at night while enjoying the sun and fun during the day. Think the problem is some people take it as a free vacation with family and friends and never give the casino much if any action on the trip.

I got a letter offer last night from Wynn 2-3 nights, "$150 in FREECREDIT".

Now instead of the fine print, I am directed to a Wynn web-site with all the rules and restrictions, etc.

It's pretty deep with the info, etc, with rooms, holidays, upgrades, free buffet, extra nights, etc, etc,
but even within that, is a sentence about the "FREECREDIT" on Wynn or Encore slot machines,
which states "certain exclusions apply. Please inquire with the Red Card Desk for details."

So on certain things included in the offer, the letter didn't tell me everything, AND the web-site didn't tell me everything.
I have to go to the "Boothling" to find out (after I book and arrive there)


Rick

Have you considered telephoning the Players Club and just asking whichever boothling answers?

No. That's just too many hoops to jump through.
Besides, if I did call I'd probably get 5 different answers on 5 different days from 5 different Boothlings


Rick

This has been going on for many years. When you first sign up for a player's card they might send you offers for free nights, basically to get you in the door and gamble at their place. When you do stay and gamble then they rate you accordingly, if you don't gamble to their levels you won't get any more offers. If you do gamble to their levels then you will get offers for free rooms but the stipulation is that you keep up with your "historical" level of play. Again if you don't keep up your play you will be rerated and no more offers.

Unfortunately it isn't an exact science, as others have said, if you happen to put in a lot of play they would think you would be worthy of comped rooms based on your play. Sometimes they do offer free rooms with no strings attached but as soon as you don't put in "acceptable" play you are off their list. It happenned to me, I was getting free offers, free nights for my bd with comped meals. Once I established my level of play at the hotel I never saw freebie offers again.

I think the hotels are more reluctant to give out comped rooms to people so what they do is to put a stipulation that you have to gamble what you have been "historically" playing at their casino to qualify for the rooms. Not sure if anyone here has encountered the situation upon checkout where they didn't qualify for comped rooms and had to pay for the rooms, I think most of us are realists and won't take them up on the offer knowing that we won't be gambling enough to qualify for comped rooms. I also think the hotel might eat your stay (If you don't gamble enough) but never send you a comp offer again.

Many offers from hosts are again risky, the host gives you the comped rooms with the hope that you put in enough play to qualify for the rooms. I think the host could get fired for taking too many risks and giving away free rooms to guests who don't put in acceptable play. I think the hotel probably tracks the hosts "guests" to make sure that they get their money's worth for giving you the free room.


Unfortunately in this day and age the hotels don't really give out free stuff unless they get something back in return. Unlike 10 or 20 years ago the casinos aren't willing to take a chance and give you a free room without knowing your gambling.

But as others have said, might be best to not worry about gambling for comps as there are plenty of low cost rooms available. I learned to not worry about comps (meals, rooms, etc.) and just gamble what I normally want to play. I won't stretch my gambling just for a freebie, in the long run I would end up spending way more than if I paid for it myself. but that's JMHO.