Room Comps

[FloridaPhil]

On our last few visits to the Hollywood Hard Rock we noticed something different about their billing.   When we used to play in Biloxi the rooms were always comped, but fees and taxes were added to the bill that we had to pay out of pocket.  They weren't a lot of money, but after a week they could easily add up to over $100.  When we check out in Hollywood they thank us for visiting and never ask for any additional money.   We use our player's card to pay for food and to shop in the gift shop.  We tip the servers with cash, but there's never any additional fees or taxes added on.  What is your experience?

[billryan]

Each casino seems to have its own rules and it also depends on your player status.
Platinum players at Harrahs Laughlin get the resort fee waived on comped rooms. It takes Diamond status in Vegas.

[OTABILL]

When we have been comped at Red Rock there are no charges when we have checked out. Resort fees were waived and no taxes, etc.

[case]

We stayed in hotel rooms just over 100 nights last year and never had to pay anything for a comped room. No taxes, no resort fees, nothing.

[Sea Lion]

We've never been hit with any charges when we stayed at any hotel that was comped. One thing to watch out for is that if you purchase a room upgrade (some hotels will try to get you to bite on this if you have a comped room booked), and the upgrade is not comped, then the upgrade price would trigger the resort fee and taxes.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=case]We stayed in hotel rooms just over 100 nights last year and never had to
pay anything for a comped room. No taxes, no resort fees, nothing.[/quote]100 nights?   This is an eye opener for me.   I approach the game differently when I play on week long trips vs. playing for a day.   If we lived at the casino for almost 1/3 of the year, I would look at the entire year as one seamless game and would be trending toward the "grind it out" strategy.  Playing once a week my goals are different and my strategies are also.  Either one works for me as I'm playing for the fun of it.   The majority of the time I'm conservative, but there are times when I like going all in.  I realize this may not be the best long term strategy, but I get my money's worth.The free play system at the Hard Rock is also different.  In Biloxi when you play your free play the machine takes it off your card one hand at a time making a funny noise as it does.  There was no way to cash out your free play as it never gets to the machine unless you win something.  At the Hard Rock it's loaded right into the machine just like cash and you can do whatever you want with it.  I haven't tried cashing out my free play, but I suspect I could.  The comp points at the Hard Rock are generous, but they expire quickly.  We like this system as we visit often.  We've played at some casinos where a days worth of play wouldn't buy you a sandwich.  

[case]

Our home casino is a Caesars but we are two hours away so we spend a lot of nights there. The odds are not as good but we milk the comps as best we can.

We drive across the USA each year and get free rooms in Harrahs Jolliet (Chicago). We might stay a couple days or just the night. The next night we get a free night(s) at Harrahs Council Bluff. We pay for a room in Wyoming and the next night get a free room in Wendover NV at Peppermill . Then on to Reno and Lake Tahoe where we get free rooms at Harrahs properties. Then it is off to Las Vegas for many free nights at Boyd properties. Then down to Laughlin where we rent a house for a month or two. Also we can stay some free nights at Laughlin casinos. Coming home we stay south and only have one night we need to pay for.

It is not for everyone but my wife and I enjoy seeing the country and obviously gambling. We fly to Vegas many times each year as well. Biggest problem is limiting the free food so we don't put on weight. We had 109 nights on the road last year and are on about the same schedule this year.

[FloridaPhil]

Sounds great to me.  I thought my wife and I traveled a lot to play VP, but you have us beat by a mile.   We are starting to think seriously about doing more of it.  Just curious, what games and denominations do you play and how much is your average annual net cost not counting extras like golf or fancy dinners?

[Lionqueen]

Case you are living my dream. So happy someone is actually doing this.

[notes1]

the financial commitment to a casino play schedule as described would be larger than most could afford and/or be comfortable with.