value of comps?

[notes1]

i don't think there is an absolute right or wrong answer to this question, it likely varies among players.

I never consider comps, other than the results of free play, when calculating my session results or posting here.

once, when in vegas, got a suite at the paris, listed cost was $750/night, at the time. to me, it wasn't worth $750, not even $350, but it was worth more than the free room we used to get at the fitz, when we first starting going there. a free buffet, is it only worth what it would cost to get a meal at a fast food joint? free valet, separate lines at check in/restaurants, no resort fees...these have a value, but how much is it worth?

if one needs to travel to play, what is a plane ride worth or ground transportation, instead of a car rental? I have had spa offers and never used them, but my wife has taken advantage of them.

how do you value this stuff, if at all?

[alpax]

The Vegas Strip, it is what it is. Those resorts will either get their money from the gamblers, or else they'll overcharge people willing to stay if they do not want to play. These bachelorette parties who want to go to clubs always find a high roller that they know so their stay is free/cheap. So of course you have to value their face value price if you want to stay at their place at their rules.

As for the fast line, rumors have it they will reward the high end gamblers with shorter lines so that they can spend more time playing.

There is still a lot of value in Vegas, you won't find it on the Strip.

Edit: One more thing to add because you are talking about a Caesars Property. The gaming is so horrible and that is the reason people attain status OUTSIDE of Vegas at another property so that when they go to Vegas, they will have all those entitlements of no resort fees, express lines, etc. without having to play horrid games.

[Bobbi]

Wish Ceasars or Mlife would come out to Colorado - here I would be able to acquire high status..

[alpax]

Wish Ceasars or Mlife would come out to Colorado - here I would be able to acquire high status..



Both of them are going downward fast in terms of player value these days.

Caesars is paying the price for over expanding at the wrong time long story short. Same with MGM.

Mlife States: Nevada, Mississippi (Gold Strike-Tunica, Beau Rivage-Biloxi), Michigan (MGM Grand), New Jersey (Borgata), and Massachusetts (MGM Springfield)

[notes1]

who said anything about comp value discussion, only pertaining to the vegas strip or cet. as far as I am aware, although I do not have your expertise, nearly every casino offers comps. it was a general question about comps.

b/t/w, are you saying you would rather spend your time, standing in line?

[notes1]

one of the posters on this site, do not remember who, talks about how they spend much of their retirement traveling from one casino to another. 100 nights in a casino, I can only assume, many/all of them comp. if that is the life the desire, there is a real value in getting free rooms, maybe some free food. if one were not into gaming and they wanted to travel around the country, they would have to spend money for rooms/food.

[Lionqueen]

Comps probably mean more to me than they should. I love living like royalty for a few days but mine was mainly because I stuck to one property, sent a lot of business their way by recommendation and was (am) 'nice'. Plus I had an incredible host - he did so much more for us than any other we had before him. I was one of those that treated a group of girls to a bachelorette party weekend. 😂😂
The shows, spa, food and penthouse suite mean a lot to me but since it's come to a screeching halt then my playing and staying there is no longer viable and I've pretty much decided to stay away from Vegas. I am definitely not a high roller but was able to live like one for several years and it was a crazy fun ride. Locally, the comps are not even close but still important. I'm the sucker that was born that minute.

[Come Back Kid]

At my local casino, here in Northern Calif. I get a free night once a week and buffet for 2 every day, if I want, that is automatic...Then after I play a few days or so, I ask for gas comps which is really nice. Our casino has a gas station/mini mart...Very convenient. Makes you feel like you're getting something for your money on bad days...LOL

[DaBurglar]

awesome topic, as it really hits on some thought provoking, even "DEEP" subjects, like the true monetary value of many of the things we receive via comps;  the concept of  "Utility"  and which comps are truly valuable to which players and why?        The difference between casino companies in their "philosophies" about comps and how it translates into what gets distributed......For myself, the single most valuable comp (i.e. the one thing I want MOST from each casino I play at)  is no cost/low cost, hassle free ROOMS!       Everything else is almost an afterthought for me (free Buffets?  Nah!!!!  most of the food is garbage anyway.....) I just know that even with many value oriented inns and hotels, including all the chains, places like Holiday Inn, Hyatt and the many Marriott properties usually want at least 100 bucks a night for NON busy, NON peak sunday thru Thursday nights, so it would cost me at least 500 bucks for a 4 night stay, and I would still have to make my way to the casino somehow and deal with that hassle......For me, being able to book 2-3 nights at low to no cost is important, and is central to me having a enjoyable time in places like AC or Vegas or Reno......EVERYTHING else that a casino offers to me as a "complimentary"  is something I can easily do without!

[alpax]

one of the posters on this site, do not remember who, talks about how they spend much of their retirement traveling from one casino to another. 100 nights in a casino, I can only assume, many/all of them comp. if that is the life the desire, there is a real value in getting free rooms, maybe some free food. if one were not into gaming and they wanted to travel around the country, they would have to spend money for rooms/food.

I believe it was case that does something like that.

There is another one by chattycatty on the Harrah's Lake Tahoe, but I stopped following the person as soon as the person claimed there was a right technique to push the draw button to get the 4th card on a trips deal.

who said anything about comp value discussion, only pertaining to the vegas strip or cet. as far as I am aware, although I do not have your expertise, nearly every casino offers comps. it was a general question about comps.

b/t/w, are you saying you would rather spend your time, standing in line?

It is a casino by casino basis depending on the location and how upscale or rundown the casino is, so you will get a broad range of responses from players who roll high or act like fleas. It all depends on perceived value to them, how much action do they give? What type of games do they play? What is the actual win / loss amount on the players record?

I am worth something to Boyd since they assigned me to a casino host for my few hours of play. I am worth nothing to Caesars Entertainmnet, they sent me room offers to Laughlin and Reno, not to Vegas where I want to be. If they need you, you will get the most value out of it. You'll probably be more valuable to more casinos than I am.

For the comps, some of it you can find by lurking online, I read a bunch of trip reports on Vegas Message Board.

If you do not want to find things out the hard way by going blindfolded and finding out, some of it you will have to pay money to people for what gets you what (I'm not kidding).

I keep an eye on at least 15 different casinos in Nevada, most I've never stepped foot on before. Once one casino goes sour, you'll know where to move to next.

Some casinos offer the privilege of fast check-in, line at the cashier, and priority dining reservations, and some do not. For those that do offer it, It takes a great deal of play over short periods of time to earn that privilege. If you value that privilege, you will have to earn it.

I personally have no problem waiting in line, as I have a ton of patience in general. I have the ability to get on the fast line at MGM Resorts and my local casino (used to have), but I still waited 10 minutes for the buffet.

Just like smart consumer buying, it takes work to figure out whats best.