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Thread: Do you tip your host?

  1. #1
    Hello all. I'm new to the forum and have really enjoyed reading the threads. I'm new to the "diamond" world (aspirations I)and was wondering if you tip your host? I have a Vegas trip planned next month and want to meet him since he's in Vegas but also be "appropriate." Thanks for all responses.

  2. #2
    I am not a big user of hosts because I am "overcomped" (or at least I was -- not sure if I am anymore since I played a bunch early in the year).

    However, I will tell you my experience with tipping a host.

    In December 2012, I wanted a second room for New Year's. I had a new host, who inexplicably took over my account after my first host had dropped me. (This actually made little sense, as I was playing actively at the time, and the first host was still at his job.) Anyway, this new host did more for me than the original one. The original one found every excuse to tell me "no". The new host agreed to give me a second room at Caesars without batting an eye.

    I went and found her during my trip, and gave her $100 cash. She thanked me.

    Unfortunately, that was also the end of her doing anything for me, as my play decreased in early 2013, and suddenly I wasn't entitled to anything beyond the standard 7 Stars benefits. Keep in mind that I did play throughout the year, and did rack up 150k tiers, but she never did anything for me.

    So while the second room was definitely worth the $100 tip I gave, she had already done that BEFORE I tipped her, so the tip didn't "buy" that favor.

    Overall here is my advice:

    If you are playing enough for your host to want to do "extra" things for you, but you're not playing like a high-roller, then tipping your host might be useful. I would suggest something like $100 and seeing if that improves anything.

    However, if you are either not playing that much (as it sounds like you haven't that much, if you're only Diamond Aspirations 1), or if you're playing a ton as a high roller, then I don't think the tipping will get you anything. Keep in mind that your host makes money by getting commission from the expected loss on your play (minus the expense that the company feels that your comps are incurring them), so you are already making them plenty of money indirectly if you're actively playing.

    If you are a new player to Caesars and have been consistently running up tier credits, then a tip might be more helpful, as they always do more for "new" players, in the hopes that you will get hooked and gamble a lot there. Once they have a history on you, they know exactly what to expect from you, and get a lot tighter.

    Keep in mind that a host will get in trouble (or at the very least, look bad to his superiors) if he gives unjustified comps, so a tip only will go so far. It more helps you when it's a marginal situation whether or not you get something, pushing it in your favor.

    And of course, be aware that the host is supposed to use all of your RCs before giving you anything that can otherwise be bought with RCs. A few hosts still cut corners with this, but Caesars is getting much tougher about this, so most hosts are scared to do it.
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  3. #3
    Thank you so much for your response Dan. I will definitely take all of what you said into account. It makes so much sense.

  4. #4
    In more than 25+ years of having hosts at Ceasars, MGM, Bellagio, NYNY, Mandalay Bay and others I never tipped. I have given token gifts at Christmas.

  5. #5
    I recall from other non-Ceasars casinos that hosts are not allowed to accept cash tips. But gift cards were OK. One non-ceasar host did give my wife her home address and we mailed some money to her to thank her for going way beyond for us. I do not know what CET policy is.

    FAB

  6. #6
    Thank you all for your advice and experiences.

  7. #7
    It has been several years since the subject came up with me, but at Caesars, gifts to hosts were limited to $20. I usually gave a gift certificate for $100-$200 to a decent restaurant, or if I knew my host's tastes, a good bottle of wine or other booze.

    By the letter of the law, the hosts were not supposed to accept such gifts as they exceeded the $20.

  8. #8
    The folks I know generally give bottles of good alcohol, but they always exceed $20. I did not know about the $20 alleged limit.

  9. #9
    $25 was the limit in the news business for years and I think the $25 limit came from the belief that it was an insignificant amount. But for the most part most newspeople practiced the policy of accepting NO gifts whatsoever. I never did.

    All those years of doing "Best Buys" on WTVJ and KTTV and KCAL I never accepted anything -- not even a tie from a clothing outlet.

    Yet, some of my colleagues would go into the businesses I advertised and gladly accept discounts on furniture, clothing, etc. I never said a word. But one day I just might....

  10. #10
    That's why I don't accept free meals from restaurant clients. Then they will expect free legal service. I'll accept a drink or even a bottle of wine if sent over, but I insist on paying for the meal.

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