Freeplay question

[Wyldemaverick]

I wasn't sure where to post my questions, so I decided to start here--if there was a more appropriate spot, please let me know.

My wife and I (we primarily play slots, no table games) went to Vegas about 1 1/2 years ago and have been getting all sorts of mail offers to come back. We are finally going back 9/14-9/19. Our host at MGM Grand has given us an offer of 5 free nights, $400 food credit, $800 in free play and limo to and from airport. We have accepted her offer and booked our trip. To me, it seems like a good offer but having only been there once, I really have no idea whether it's pretty standard, pretty good or not so good (although I doubt the latter).

So, first question for the veterans--are we receiving a decent offer?

On our first trip, I really knew nothing about comps and such. In fact, it wasn't until our next to last day when I went to the players club for some reason that I realized we had any. The fellow looked at me funny and immediately comped us I believe $400 for food. I have no idea what kind of coin in we went through at the time.

Second question: Is there any way to estimate that, or would the casino just tell you if you asked?

Lastly, I'm wondering if when using freeplay the casino gives you, does it count towards accumulating points the same as if you're betting your own money? And what about machines where you win free spins? Do those spins count as money bet?

I would love any answers or advice you folks have to offer--it would be nice to have a clue what I'm doing on our next trip :)

[VegasLuvsMe]

Hello Wylde and welcome to the Las Vegas forum.

It has been a few years since my last visit to Las Vegas, but I'm sure comps and free money play hasn't changed too much since then.

I may not be a "veteran", so to speak, but I know my wife would have more input about Las Vegas than I do since she's been there about a dozen times now and I've been there half that.

First question: I think you have a great deal and most of the comps and free stuff you get from a huge casino like MGM, usually comes from a lot of game play at their casino/s.

My wife and I use to get three or four free nights at the Palazzo and that's from playing anywhere from one to two grand on the different games at their casino, and linked casinos like those at the Venetian.

Second question: The players club personel will tell you what the exchange rate is for coins played vs the return; and I think the numbers are shown to you, in a small screen by the card insert, when you put your card into a slot machine.

Third question: I remember playing my free money on slots, I think it was $100 or $150 free play the last time I got free money. I'm pretty sure that anything over the free money that you play turns into real money, and you can take to a ticket machine to cash out into real money.

Or perhaps it was a play-through requirement, on the "free money" machines that they direct you to to play on, and after you played over the free money amount, then that is what you can cash-out at a ticket machine.

Like I said, it's been a few years since I've played in Las Vegas, so my memory has somewhat escaped me on how precisely the casino systems work these days.

I hope this info helps you Wylde, and perhaps after your next trip to Las Vegas you can update us on how things work in Vegas these days.