Checked in at the MGM Grand this Sunday night for five nights. I had booked the $69 member rate.

The lady at the counter saw my $20 and typed and typed for 10 mins and found a celebrity spa suite. She went for approval and was denied because the hotel was sold out and there was a convention with 3000 attendees.

She then gave us a room on the 28th floor with a view of the strip. I gave her $10 for her efforts anyway, she really did try hard to get us the room. Tough when the hotel is tight and I am staying 5 nights.

The bonus is that we get free wireless because we are one floor down from the skylofts which have complementary wireless and my laptop caught on to the signal. At least I saved $10/day on internet access.

The clerk was a young girl. She giggled at me and my GF and said “no, there aren’t any upgrades” and handed back to me my $20. She then checked us in and gave us a room with a View, but it was a horrible view. Only good thing was that it was semi close to the elevator.

I would try again but not with a young girl.

When we first arrived the hotel was completely booked up (airport checkin even shut down early). It remained that way for nights one and two. On night three we talked to a nice young man at the front desk who was willing to help, but unable to that night, he said to look for him the following morning. We did just that, and he was able to do just that. We had three in the party and needed at least two beds, so only bungalow or marquee suites were options, and he said he wasn’t able to get us in a marquee. Although it was only for 2 nights, the suite was worth it from my perspective. Since we were already checked in, I wasn’t able to give him an ID or CC for verification, so I just did the old $20 handshake to make the transaction (he knew I had it though because I had it under our old room card with the money facing him.)

I just recently returned from spending 4 nights at the MGM. I checked it at the airport, and made sure to put the $20 visible underneath the card. When I asked about the upgrade, she didn’t look at the bill, I’m pretty sure she didn’t even notice it. She said flat no to an upgrade, and no to a strip view.

After getting to the room, I went back downstairs to give it one more try. I put the $20 out and asked about the upgrade. He started working away at the computer, but then once he saw how much I was paying ($69.99/night), said that there was no way I could get an upgrade because I had the casino rate. He said he hadn’t ever seen a rate that low. I asked about the strip view and he said that there were none available. Then he noticed the $20. He asked if that was for him, I said it was. Then he took that, looked back to his computer and started typing away. He still couldn’t give me a suite, but he did get me a 22nd floor room overlooking NY NY, Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. For 4 nights, that was worth it to me.

On a marketing deal for $50 plus some comps. Turned out to be a fightnight Sat the 15th. also my birthday. The $20 bucks cost me about 10 minutes of typing and phone calls. Then talking to Marketing. I was told my rate for $60, $120, and $60 was aleady consideraly low. Nothing could be done for a fight weekend or with my play. I let the chick keep the $20 for her efforts. Then about an hour later, in the room, a knock on the door. Champagne, and strawberries compliments of the hotel, and a gift basket from my host, with a bottle of Wild Turkey 101, my favorite and some snacks and a neat card. Thanks MGM for taking my money, and me enjoying it.

Stayed at MGM on June 29th & 30th. Went up to a young lady and slipped her my CC and ID with the $20 visible in between and asked her if there were any complimentary upgrades. She quickly smiled and said “No, I’m sorry.” She took my CC and ID, and gave me back my $20 saying “Here, this is yours.” So I’m pretty much embarassed at this point and just wait till she pulls up my room. She tells me she has a room with a view for me, so I thanked her and tipped her $5 for her effort anyways. The room had an OK view.. it was a view of the city area, not the strip.. so yea. But anyways..I’ll try it again next time!

Arrived at the Vas Vegas airport on June 18th for 4 days at about 3 pm. Checked in at MGM Desk at the airport. Flashed my $20, and asked if he had any complimentary upgrades. The guy just smiled and nodded. Upgraded us from basic room to a Suite, with a strip view, and close to the elevator.

I was traveling with two other couples, all three of us staying at MGM, and all got upgraded to Suites by the same clerk. All tipped him $20.

I slipped the $20 under the credit card and got the 26th floor in a celebrity spa suite free of charge! We ended up paying the $59 for 1 night and $69 for the other 2 nights thanks to the SLM048 promo code.

However… a few things that irritated us: room service carts were constantly left outside of the room. One was there all three days we were! Ick! The doors under the sink at the wetbar didnt shut. Its like they were hung on the hinges incorrectly. Closet doors didnt open or close easily. Oh, and we think a maid stole a $100 giftcard out of my luggage (that was IN the closet). Spoke to head of security before we left and was told “sorry, nothing we can do.” Called today and spoke to several people and got the same answer. Oh, I can file a report, but it will take 8-10 weeks and I was told “you have to call them. They WONT call you.” So, yeah…

Overall, positive experience, but I think we will stay elsewhere from now on.

Just got back from Vegas…..2 nites @ MGM, booked the 69 per nite deal (club players deal) with 25 food credit and 2 free bar drinks. Slipped the guy @ check in a 20 & asked if any upgrades were available, he smiled and said, “I like your style, I;m sure I can find you something.” We got a suite with a sitting room and huge bathroom, and wet bar. He acted like this was his first tip! Great room, great hotel, great time in Vegas. Saw the Fab Four show and “O”. Both WELL WORTH THE MONEY.