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How to Ask for a Comp?

Again, the important thing here is to NOT act like you deserve the comp. Arrogance isn't the best way to win friends and that's exactly how you need to treat employees and how you want them to treat you - like a friend. Be polite. Ask if, "it would be possible for me to receive a comp for xxx". This either gives them the option to issue the comp or to take you under their wing and tell you exactly what additional play you'll need to do to earn it.

Don't be shy to tell someone that you are in town for a special occasion such as your wedding, anniversary, birthday, bachelor's party, etc. But be honest, as many hosts will note this in your file. If you told a host in July that you were there for your birthday and you go back in November with the same story, this may be noted and could prevent you from easily earning future comps!

If you are denied a comp that you truly feel you've earned, explain to the person why you are hoping they'll reconsider. Perhaps the play you just put in at another pit hasn't been recorded yet. Perhaps they don't know someone else told you that you'd be eligible for a comp at this time. Perhaps they were not aware that you played for hours at another local casino that is owned by their parent company.

Also, if you have the name of a host from another property owned by the same parent company, don't be afraid to tell them. For example, if you're at a casino in Las Vegas and you know the name of a host at their sister casino in Atlantic City, mention that host's name and how they've taken care of you in the past for the same or less play. Again, hosts don't want to upset guests who have a relationship with another host and they'll do their best to work with you.

You should always start big when you ask for a comp. Let's say you just want to get dinner. Why not ask for dinner for two to the Steakhouse? If the host says, "I can only give you dinner for one", then you could suggest dinner for two at the coffee shop instead. This works great if you only wanted to eat at the coffee shop all along! Either you'll get the two steak dinners, which would exceed your expectations, or you'll get your coffee shop dinner for two. But if you had started out asking for the coffee shop and the host offered you only one meal, you are in a much weaker bargaining position.