Las Vegas Casino Comps
No matter where you are from nor where you live, chances are that you are a fan of receiving things for free. Whether it be free samples, free gas, or just about anything else, free stuff is always great. When it comes to casinos this is especially true.
Whether you know it or not, casinos are always offering free things to players both new and old. These free casino items are known as casino comps and come in a few different forms. At their core, casino comps are nothing more than a casino’s way of enticing you to spend more money by basically giving you money for free. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the fact of the matter is that they work for casinos and can do a lot of good for you if you know what you are doing. In the following few sections, three different varieties of casino comps as well as how they are earned are explained.
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Posted in Advantage Play, Bankroll, Comps, It's Personal, Luck, Memories, Non-Vegas Casinos, Taxes, Video Poker 6 Comments 35 Years of Advantage Play – Part 12 Posted on July 25, 2020 by queen of comps. Seven smart ways to land a Las Vegas casino comp. Oct 30, 2019 By: Marc Meltzer You don't have to be a high roller to score some juicy comps from Las Vegas casinos - although it does help. Almost all casinos in Las Vegas have a slot club card to do this. Search out the slot club booth in the casino, they will ask you for an ID, and to fill out a card with your name, address, phone and social security number and they issue you a plastic, credit card sized card with an ID number on it.
How They Work
Casino comps do not work in any single way. In fact, though comps may exist at most every brick and mortar casino, they do not exist in the same exact way from casino to casino. To put it simply, comps are nothing more than free things casinos give you in order to encourage you to stay longer, come back for an additional stay, or any number of other reasons. Most frequently you will see that casino comps are given to players in the form of free stays. In Las Vegas especially, casinos regularly give out free nights in a hotel room in hopes that you will come back for an additional visit sometime in the near future.
A very real example of how you might be subjected to casino comps is that they will be mailed to you a month or two after you visited the casino. Before you know it, your mail will include an offer that allows you to go back to a casino and stay there again, this time for free. These free night stays may seem too good to be true, but they really are as straightforward as they seem.
Casinos are so eager to give out free nights because they are hoping that you will return to the casino and spend more money. If you take advantage of a comped offer but do not spend any money on the casino floor, you can bet that you will not be on the receiving end of any additional comps. If, on the other hand, you are staying at a casino for free and you do spend time on the casino floor, you can bet that the comps will keep rolling in.
Do not be confused, however, because comps come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Though you will most frequently be offered free stays at a resort casino for a given number of nights, you may also be on the receiving end of free tickets, meal vouchers, and/or free casino play. Free casino play, as its name implies, offers players the ability to play at a casino with real money without having to use any of their own money.
Not Only for Big Losers
One of the biggest myths that is perpetuated every time someone mentions the existence of casino comps is the fact that the only ones who receive comps are those that lose a lot of money. While it is true that casinos are eager to invite back and lavishly treat the big losers, casino comps are not exclusively for these types of players.
When it comes down to it, just about anyone and everyone that is playing at a brick and mortar casino will be eligible for receiving comps. Of course, how well you are going to be treated is something that varies from casino to casino and city to city.
How You Receive Them
The best way to ensure that you are on the receiving end of casino comps is to sign up for a player’s card at a brick and mortar casino. Player’s cards are able to track your play and this is how the casino will know how well to treat you. Another advantage of signing up for a player’s card is because it allows for the casino to know all of your personal information, allowing comp packages to be dispatched without you ever having to say anything.
Another clear-cut way of receiving casino comps is by simply asking for them. Resort representatives and pit bosses alike are able to grant you meal vouchers and even tickets to shows, so you are always urged to ask. The worst that will happen is that you will either be told no or be told to talk to someone who can better assist you.
There are so many other ways by which you can be given casino comps, but it is really something that varies from casino to casino.
Free Offers
The most popular form of casino comp comes in the form of free offers. Free offers are typically reserved for players who have just visited a casino and signed up for a player card. They exist as a way for the casino you just visited to lure you back for another stay.
Free offers are often dispatched in the mail and will arrive at your door in the form of a post card. It all depends on who you are and how much you gambled with during your initial stay, but free offers can include anything from free rooms, meals, show tickets, and even free money with which to gamble (also referred to as casino credit). In some cases, free offers will include all of the above.
An example of an attractive offer would be a free 3-night stay, $100 in casino credit, and vouchers for a few free meals. Now, you may be thinking that this type of offer is only reserved for players who gamble with thousands and thousands of dollars, but the fact of the matter is that it does not take much to qualify for a casino comp similar to the hypothetical one described above. When it comes down to it, free offers can vary dramatically and really depend on where you earned them. Naturally, big-name casinos tend to offer more attractive comps than those lesser-known casinos.
Player Rewards
Player rewards are tied to a casino’s player card. By signing up for a player rewards card, you are taking the first step towards earning free stuff just for playing at a certain casino.
The most simplistic way to explain how comps can be earned through a player rewards card is to explain that the more you play, the more you earn. While most people think comps are only earned when a player loses, this is not true. Comps can be earned by winning players too, it just so happens that a casino is more eager to comp someone a few free nights if they just lost $1,000 rather than the person who just walked away with $5,000 in winnings.
Player rewards comps can come in a variety of forms and, in most cases, the dollar value of the comp you receive will be, in some way, tied to your style of casino play and/or how much money you spend/gamble with. For example, if you have two people that both hold a player rewards card, you will find that if one person gambles often and with a lot of money at a time, they will receive more attractive and valuable comps than the person who plays penny slots all day. Casinos are not stupid and are going to want to invite players back if they, the casino, thinks that it will result in more revenue for them. This is why the $5,000 winner mentioned above will also receive a comp; because the casino knows that that person has just won $5,000 and wants to bring them back in hopes that they will give some of that money back to the casino in the form of losses.
Just Ask
Another incredibly simple way to receive casino comps is to just ask for them. Whether it be a pit boss or casino host, by just asking you will likely be given a free meal, tickets to a show, or similar item. This doesn’t always work, but you might be surprised at what you will be given just for asking.
Casino Comps FAQ
How are comps earned?
We discussed this a bit earlier, but there are a variety of ways you can earn comps. First off, losing money at a casino is the perfect way to earn comps. If you lose even $100 during your stay, you can bet that the casino in question will be mailing you some sort of offer within a month or two.
Another similar way to earn comps is simply by playing with a player rewards card. Signing up for these cards typically takes no more than 5 minutes, and by doing so you are opening yourself up to all sorts of rewards just for playing. Even if you walk away having made money, the amount of money you wagered with as well as how long you were sitting down at a table will be recorded, calculated, and given to you in the form of comps.
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that, contrary to popular belief, comps are not earned exclusively through losing money.
Do I need a player rewards card to be comped?
Not necessarily, but by signing up for a player rewards card you are increasing your odds of being comped valuable items by a large amount. Player rewards cards tell a casino how much you are playing and how much you are playing with. With this information, the casino in question will be able to determine how, and in what amount, you should be comped.
It is also important to keep in mind that just about every casino out there has their own, unique name for player rewards cards.
Are comps just an elaborate way for the casino to trick me into spending money?
In many ways comps do exist as a way of getting a casino to make you spend more money, but that does not always have to be the case. If you use comps wisely you will receive free items without ever having to spend your own money.
Do online casinos offer comps?
Yes, they do, but of course they are different than what a physical casino can offer.
Online Casinos can’t offer a meal or free stay in a hotel room, but they can offer bonuses and free play.
Usually the online casinos will start by offering new players a match bonus or even free spins. The match bonus gives you more playing credits in the casino by matching a certain percentage of your deposit with bonus credits. For instance, you could deposit $100 and get another $200 in credits added to your balance so that you have $300 to play real money casino games.
Online Casinos will often also have a loyalty program which rewards players for their real money play. You usually will earn points with every spin of the slot machine or hand of Blackjack and these points can be exchanged for cash once you have enough.
In addition to these forms of player rewards, online casinos will often send free chips or free spins to their most loyal players and VIPs. If you have been playing regularly at an online casino, you can contact their customer support to request some bonus or free credits.
At BestUSCasinos.org, we have reviewed dozens of online casinos to find the most reliable options and the most generous ones when it comes to bonuses and comps. You can trust that our top 3 online casinos recommendations are particularly attractive in terms of comps and other casino bonuses.
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Bellagio was the brainchild of casino mastermind Steve Wynn. He famously imploded the Dunes to make way for the massive casino, resort, and lake on the Vegas Strip.
The luxury casino opened in 1998 but it feels as though it’s been a part of the Las Vegas landscape forever. Bellagio is now owned and operated by MGM Resorts.
This casino is still the height of luxury in Las Vegas. While there are other high-end properties in Las Vegas, few have the air of sophistication of Bellagio. When you enter the hotel lobby from valet you immediately see Dale Chihuly’s Fiori di Como art installation. This art piece is displayed on the lobby ceiling and is comprised of more than 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers. You’ll find beauty like this all over the property.
Bellagio is a full-service resort catering mainly to luxury customers. The best restaurants and nightclub dot the lake in front of the casino. Yes, you can dine and party outside with a view of the fountain show. Bellagio has been featured in a number of movies and will make you pine for a return visit whenever you see it. The best thing about Bellagio is that it keeps the glitz and glamor of old Las Vegas alive without feeling dated.
Hotel rooms
In an effort to keep Bellagio feeling fresh, the hotel recently saw a major renovation. MGM Resorts International finished upgrading all 4,000 hotel rooms and suites in 2015. Both the Bellagio and Spa towers feature wood and lacquer for a more modern look. There are multiple new color palettes to keep with the fresh feeling.
There are two basic hotel room options – Fountain View and Resort Tower. Both rooms are ample in size with Fountain View rooms being the smaller of the two options. Resort rooms are 626 square feet while the Fountain View rooms are 510 square feet. The view of the fountains should make up for the smaller room.
Both rooms come with 40″ flat screen Samsung HDTVs, modern entertainment centers, iHome systems, an ergonomic workstation, seating area and more. Even though they have similar amenities each room has its own distinctive look.
There are a large variety of suite options to choose from if you’re looking for something more than a traditional hotel room. The entry level Salone suite is just under 900 square feet and is a single large, well-appointed room. The largest suites at Bellagio are actually the 6,500-square-foot villas with two bedrooms. The villas include 24-hour butler service and transportation to and from the airport.
Every suite comes with entry to The Chairman’s Lounge. In addition to offering private check-in, the Chairman’s Lounge also features different daily snacks available all throughout the day.
Dining
Bellagio has some of the best dining options on the Vegas Strip. The best of the best restaurants surround the beautiful Lake Bellagio and many offer lakeside dining. Since this is a luxury casino resort, you should expect that most of the restaurants are fine dining and require at least business casual attire for entry.
- The Buffet – One of the best buffets on the Vegas Strip
- Cafe Bellagio – Traditional casino cafe offers all the basics until 1am
- Fix – Modern takes on classic American dishes
- Harvest by Roy Ellamar – Fresh modern American dining
- Jasmine – Asian restaurant with lake-view dining
- Jean Philippe Patisserie – Chocolates, cookies, cakes, crepes, salads, sandwiches and more
- Lago by Julian Serrano – The first Italian restaurant from the James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-decorated Chef Julian Serrano
- Le Cirque – The finest French cuisine in Las Vegas
- Michael Mina – The signature restaurant of the world famous chef features dishes with Japanese and French influences
- Noodles – Traditional noodle dishes from Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China and Vietnam
- Picasso – Awards from AAA, Michelin, James Beard, Wine Spectator, and Forbes should say enough
- Prime – Premium steakhouse with gorgeous patio views of Lake Bellagio
- Yellowtail – Contemporary Japanese cuisine
- Snacks – 24-hour restaurant near the sports book offering burgers, pizza, wings and more
- Quick Bites – Cafe Gelato, Palio, Palio Pronto each offer a quick option if you’re on the go
Casino
Bellagio has a massive casino with over 2,300 slot machines, 40 poker tables, a sports book, and just about every table game you could imagine. Like most MGM Resorts casinos, they offer the newest games or all kind. Bellagio recently installed a host of electronic table games. These dealerless versions of table games are a low pressure offering for newer casino guests who might be intimidated by a traditional table game setting. Since Bellagio is a luxury casino, you’ll often find higher limits for traditional table games. That said, if you play the electronic table games or visit during the day you might find a few lower limits tables.
The gaming area is broken into different segments with bars placed throughout so it doesn’t feel like you’re walking through a giant box. The major attraction in the casino is the Poker Room. You’ll regularly find the big name poker pros playing here regularly. When they are playing you probably find them in “Bobby’s Room.” The high-stakes games poker game have limits as high as $4,000/$8,000 per hand.
Nightlife
Bellagio is known for its nightlife. However, the casino offers a nice variety of things to do in the evening. You can find mellow entertainment with pianists at Petrossian Bar and fine one of the biggest parties on the Vegas Strip at Hyde.
- Baccarat Bar – You’ll be surprised to find a mellow bar right in the center of the casino
- The Bank – This is a favorite nightclub of Las Vegas locals and tourists alike
- Hyde – Hyde’s first Las Vegas location opens up to the beautiful Bellagio Fountains
- Lily Lounge & Bar – Upscale bar and lounge
- Petrossian Bar – Piano bar set just of the main hotel lobby
- Sports Bar and Lounge – Set just off the sports book and offers a nice selection of beer
Entertainment
This might be the one area where Bellagio fall a little short. There isn’t much more entertainment beyond the two of the best free entertainment attractions in Las Vegas. That said, “O” is a unique Cirque du Soleil show and one of the most popular.
- Conservatory & Botanical Gardens – The beautiful flower arrangements are updated seasonally and for Chinese New Year
- Fountains – The iconic fountain show takes place every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the day and time
- “O” by Cirque du Soleil – The only Cirque show in Las Vegas performed in, on and above water
- Gallery of Fine Arts – Classic fine arts gallery has featured Picasso, Warhol and more
Pool
Unless you’ve experienced the Mediterranean-inspired pools you might be surprised by what you find. The Bellagio pool complex includes five different pool courtyard settings. In addition to the different pool areas, there’s a cafe and a bar. You can even enjoy poolside massages.
This pool complex is so popular that it’s recommended that you reserve lounge chairs or a cabana to ensure you have a place to enjoy the Las Vegas sun.
Bellagio Loyalty Club
MGM Resorts International owns and operates Bellagio. Their loyalty club, M Life Rewards, is one of the largest casino loyalty clubs in Las Vegas. M Life Rewards is also accepted at MGM Grand Detroit, Beau Rivage (MS), Gold Strike (MS) and MGM National Harbor (MD). The club will expand to Borgata (NJ) soon and MGM Springfield (MA) when it opens.
These casinos outside of Las Vegas make M Life Rewards one of the biggest casino loyalty clubs in the country. You can earn points and credits at any M Life Rewards casino to use at Bellagio in Las Vegas. M Life Rewards has an array partnerships that allow you to both earn and use rewards outside of the casino.
M Life Rewards can be slightly confusing since you earn different types points at two different rates. Tier credits are earned and allow you to climb status to earn specific benefits. Points accumulate for Express Credits that can be redeemed for shopping, dining, etc., Free Play that can be used in slot machines and gift shopping points.
Tier levels
Here’s a look at the different Tier levels and how many credits you’ll need to achieve the coinciding benefits for Las Vegas:
- Sapphire – Entry Level, everyone starts here
- Pearl – Earn 25,000 Tier Credits
- Gold – Earn 75,000 Tier Credits
- Platinum – Earn 200,000 Tier Credits
- Noir – Invitation only
In addition to gaming, you can earn Tier credits, express comps, free play, and holiday gift shop points from spending money on gaming, dining, entertainment, hotel rooms, shopping, spa treatments and golf at any MGM Resorts property. Here’s how Tier credits and points are awarded:
- Slot Machines – 1 point and 10 Tier Credits for every $3 you play (You also earn 1 cent in Express Comps and 1 cent in FreePlay).
- Video Poker – 1 point and 10 Tier Credits for every $10 you play (You also earn 1 cent in Express Comps and 1 cent in FreePlay).
- Table Games (blackjack, three card poker, etc.) – Varies on the type of table game you are playing, your average bet and how long you play.
- Non-gaming – 25 Tier Credits for every $1 you spend.
Different tier levels earn points at a different rate:
- Sapphire – No bonus
- Pearl – 10% bonus
- Gold – 20% bonus
- Platinum – 30% bonus
- Noir – 40% bonus
Tier Credits earned from October 1 to September 30 qualify you for your tier beginning each October 1. If you advance to a higher tier at any time, you’ll enjoy those benefits for at least one full year.
Benefits
Each tier you reach with M Life Rewards brings greater benefits. The benefits are only incrementally better since you have 5 tiers. M Life Rewards offers discounts and presale ticketing opportunities for all levels. Being a member has benefits even if you’re just visiting to see a concert and staying elsewhere.
MGM Resorts is the first casino operator to charge for parking on the Las Vegas Strip. Those fees are waived for self-park if you’re a Pearl member or greater with M Life Rewards. Valet fees are waived for Gold members and above. These daily parking fees range anywhere from $8 to $18 per day depending on the property and type of parking. The parking discount is one of the best benefits, along with Tier bonuses and increasing retail discounts. Here’s a look at the benefits for each Tier:
Sapphire
- Dedicated reservation line
- Access to M Life Moments
- Personalized offers at MLife.com
- Earn Express Comps
- Special offers from partners
- Earn points and convert to free play or Express Comps
- 5% discount at participating retail shops
- Earn holiday gift shoppe points
- Pre-Sale Ticket Access to Select Events, Concerts, and Fights
- M life flat rate pricing for select MGM Resort shows
- Avis rental car discount (at on-property rental counters)
Pearl
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Same as Sapphire plus the following:
- Invitations to members-only events and tournaments
- Extended expiration for points and Express Comps
- 10% tier multiplier bonus on points earned at all M life resorts
- 10% tier multiplier bonus on Express Comps earned at M life resorts
- Exclusive room discounts or comps
- 10% discount at participating retail shops
- Buffet line pass
- Exclusive seating at arena events
Gold
Same as Pearl plus the following:
- 20% tier multiplier bonus on points earned at all M life resorts
- 20% tier multiplier bonus on Express Comps earned at M life resorts
- Room upgrades (view, corner or suite subject to availability)
- Priority hotel check-in line
- 10% discount at participating retail shops
- Cafe line pass
- Fine dining priority reservations
- VIP line access to nightclubs and pool day clubs for you and a guest
Platinum
Same as Gold plus the following:
- 30% tier multiplier bonus on points earned at all M life resorts
- 30% tier multiplier bonus on Express Comps earned at M life resorts
- Priority access to pool cabanas and bungalows
- Spa / salon priority reservations
- Platinum experience upon check-in
- 15% discount at participating retail shops
- Priority valet service
- Priority taxi service
Noir
Same as Platinum plus the following:
- VIP lounge check-in
- Guaranteed hotel reservations
- 15% discount at participating retail shops
- Guaranteed dining reservations
- Guaranteed show reservations
- Complimentary limousine service to / from airport
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M Life Rewards partners
M Life Rewards offers members many benefits that extend beyond MGM Resorts hotels and casinos. There is a large group of preferred partners where you can earn or use rewards for both loyalty clubs.
Current partners include Hyatt, Southwest, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Avis, Pinnacle Entertainment (casinos), Cirque Du Soleil, Thunder Valley Casino, Reflection Bay, and Morgans Hotel Group.
The Hyatt-M Life Rewards partnership is one of the best non-casino partnerships in Las Vegas. You can you earn Tier Credits at over 600 hotels and resorts worldwide. Even better is that there is a Hyatt Gold Passport matched tier status available for M Life Rewards members. This is a great way to climb status without even being in Las Vegas.
M Life Rewards connects 12 casinos around the country including these Las Vegas casinos:
- Bellagio
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- Monte Carlo
- New York-New York
Las Vegas Casino Comps
M Life Rewards online
The M Life Rewards website was recently rebuilt to look and feel similar to the rest of the MGM Resorts’ websites. This is a welcome change from previous versions of the website frequently had bugs. The new website looks great and is easy to use.
The current version of the M Life app looks similar to the individual MGM Resorts casino websites but offers information for every property. The app is quick, smooth, easy to read and intuitive. You can sort information in the app by each casino or by the category of information you’re looking for (shows, restaurants, etc.).
This app doesn’t assume the user is an M Life Rewards member and offers all the information you could want. In addition, the app links to all related apps such as MyVegas, PlayMGM and easyPLAY. This is probably the best looking and most functional Las Vegas casino app around.
M Life Rewards Best Bets:
Sign up – You receive discounts on hotel rooms and pre-sale ticket purchasing opportunities just for signing up.
Go Pearl or Gold and skip parking fees – The $8 to $18 self-park and valet fees add up every stay. This is one of the benefits you can put a dollar figure on.
Get Bonus Points – Each Tier level you climb offers greater point multipliers. The rich get richer with M Life Rewards so you might as well enjoy it.
Priority Check-In – MGM Resorts casino are among the busiest in Las Vegas. Since the majority of customers are entry level tier status the check-in lines can be massive. Skip the huge lines when you’re Gold or better.
Must see
- Watch the fountain shows – The fountain shows in front of Bellagio are one of the best activities in Las Vegas. Best of all this activity is free. You can, and should, see the fountain show during the day and at night to see which shows are your favorite
- Visit Petrossian Bar – One of the best bars in Las Vegas is just off the lobby at Bellagio. You can enjoy a drink inside for privacy “inside” the bar or “outside” by the lobby. The outside are is where you’ll be treated to a variety of pianists throughout the day.
- Walk through the conservatory & botanical gardens – This is one of the most beautiful attractions in Las Vegas. Bellagio rotates themes every few months to keep interest high. Even if a theme is the same as the previous year, the presentation is updated.
- Grab a cocktail at Hyde Lounge – The nightclub is one of the most popular in Las Vegas, but Hyde might be better before the party gets started. Visit Hyde just after it opens at 5pm and head to the patio for a pre-dinner drink and a unique view of the Bellagio fountain show.
- Look for the world’s largest chocolate fountain – The chocolate fountain at Jean-Phillippe Patisserie is located just past the lobby. This chocolate fountain has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest in the world. Obviously, you must see it.