some points about Venetian/Palazzo after Grand Opening

[Barry_Glazer]

7c. some points about Venetian/Palazzo after Grand Opening
Date: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:00 pm ((PST))

> Enjoyed reading your report on the Palazzo. My husband and I were
also at the show. Our tickets cost $250 total and for that we got to
sit on small plastic chairs in the bleacher section way in the back.
There was literally 4,300 people in front of us (My hustband
counted). Our guess is that they were all comped. This made a bad
show even worse...and it was 3 hours long. By not having the TV
screens on, Diana Ross looked like a little peanut to us.
>

I haven't been to any Vegas shows in quite a while now, and I know that many of them now have differential pricing for better seats and assigned seating. But "in the old days", it was expected to tip the guy seating you to get a better seat.

I know many people object to this, but I always looked at it as being the same as paying a higher price for a better seat in an assigned-seating event.

My favorite was once when we were entering a show, and were told to follow the usher and another couple, so I didn't get to slip him the money. He walked us up and up and up into the nosebleed section, much like what you just described. When he started to seat us with the other couple (who obviously didn't tip), I handed him the money and asked, "can we get something closer". We then walked down and down and down, and got great seats.

It used to be about $10-20, which you were supposed to discretely slip into the usher's hand, or the person "greeting" you at the door and assigning you to an usher. I really don't know how much, if anything, works now.

--BG

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[Harry_Porter]

b.glazer wrote:

I haven't been to any Vegas shows in quite a while now, and I know
that many of them now have differential pricing for better seats and
assigned seating. But "in the old days", it was expected to tip the
guy seating you to get a better seat.

I know many people object to this, but I always looked at it as being
the same as paying a higher price for a better seat in an
assigned-seating event.

It used to be about $10-20, which you were supposed to discretely
slip into the usher's hand, or the person "greeting" you at the door
and assigning you to an usher. I really don't know how much, if
anything, works now.

Well, for a major show at a casino on the Strip (e.g. "O") my
presumption is that you're pretty much limited to the assigned seating
on the tickets, whether purchased or comped.

However, at most AC casinos where shows are heavily comped, the
situation often has been as you describe. Seating is generally
assigned to a given section, but not specific seats; the
usher/attendant have considerable discretion in where to seat patrons.

In such a case, a little grease of anything from $10-$40 (or more ...
I always set the amount based upon the relative retail value of the
tickets and how badly we wanted "up front" seating) could greatly
improve your view of the stage. Often, just $20 could get you stage
front seating for even some of the strongest headline acts the typical
casino would bring in.

However, in the last 2 or 3 years I've found more and more casinos
have moved to pre-assigned seating and the ushers typically no longer
have the discretion they once had. However, on a couple of occasions
where we really wanted better seats, I've palmed a $10 saying, "if
there should be an opportunity to move us to stronger seating, we'd
really appreciate it.

Both times the attendant refused the money, but I pressed it anyway
saying, "no, this'll be in appreciation for your consideration,
whether or not something becomes available". Each time we were
approached about 15-20 minutes into the show and moved into prime "no
show" seating -- of course, we were told there was the risk we might
have to return to our former seats. I followed with another $20 in
appreciation.

In the second instance, the seat holders did indeed show almost half
way through the show. The attendant apologized to us and then
proceeded to show us to even better seats.

YMMV. I might have the guts to try this with a show on the Strip next
time.

- Harry

[jontunl]

However, on a couple of occasions

where we really wanted better seats, I've palmed a $10 saying, "if
there should be an opportunity to move us to stronger seating, we'd
really appreciate it.

I have actually had some success with a similar tactic at shows with
assigned seating. After you pickup your tickets wait until seating
begins. Then take your ticket envelope with one or two $20 bills to
the ticket office and ask if there might be some better seating
available. It has worked both times I've tried it.