Noir is MGM’s elite level for ‘whales’. My understanding years ago was that it took a $250,000 theoretical loss, and that official benefits included roundtrip airport limousine transfers. Noirs used to receive guaranteed best table in any restaurant without reservations. (It’s now merely guaranteed restaurant reservations with 24 hours notice.)
Of course the real benefits go beyond what’s published, and the Las Vegas-based chain wants to treat these customers very well. Michael from TravelZork shares that the Bellagio hotel now gives black plates and black napkins at the buffet to Noir members to identify them visually to staff for better treatment, as shared with him by Noir friend Ana. As she tells it,
The server gave us the black plates and the black napkin setup, they removed the white napkin setup. The white plate came from the cook that made me eggs. No one else got [black plates]..every table had a white napkin setup including ours but after we were seated they were removed then gave us the black plates and setup
This makes it easy to spot the best customers in a way that’s easy for every employee to understand.
Some people would prefer discretion rather than being visually identified as whales in the casino, though most customers won’t know what black plates mean at the Bellagio buffet.
When United Airlines first created its 1K level they ran a database query for all of their 100,000 mile flyers and wanted to offer them additional recognition. Specifically the ideas was that “if an employee was only going to smile once a day, it should be for them.” So they created a system tag to identify these customers to employees, and the space in the system had room for only 2 characters — it was meant as an internal tag, not to be public with customers, but it eventually stuck.
Now, sometimes you don’t want your guests treated differently. One hospital used special color blankets for patients the hospital believed to be potential major donors. They were doted on, and given every test, but that led to their receiving too many surgeries and worse health outcomes – so the practice was ended.
What color napkin do I get for being Noir solely as a result of my WoH Globalist status?
American Express does something similar at the Centurian lounges. Centurian members are given balk napkins at the table. I rarely remain in the lounges because they are too crowded and the food is not very good. However, the LAX lounge has two dedicated rooms for Centurian members.
With Marriott’s secret Cobalt status, the person is supposed to get a cobalt blue napkin. But, alas, the property owners deny them even that benefit.
So the casino employees can identify the people who love to set money on fire.
Got it!
At Golden Corral, elite members get a red spork, and can jump ahead of other guests at the food troughs
Noir is elite but definitely don’t have to be a whale to qualify. Just like Caesars Seven Star level there are thousands of members at that level and very few are whales.
Years ago I read about how casinos treat whales. At that time it was someone that was prepared to bet at least $1 million over a weekend stay and I’m sure it has gone up. Casinos compete heavily for these customers and the benefits they get are way beyond what any regular Noir or Seven Star receive. First of all everything is comped with no limits. Next they typically have a loss payback arrangement where the casino refunds a percentage of losses. Finally gifts are common like if the wife of a whale liked a $10,000 necklace it would be given to her. All based on bet level and theoretical house win of course.
However the downside is a whale can go on a heater. Kerry Packer (Australian high roller) won so much once it impacted MGM/Mirage’s quarterly earnings and had to be foot noted in their financial report.
So, you have to LOSE $250,000 to get the black napkin at Bellagio? I’ll take a white napkin, thank you.
What kind of whale goes to the buffet?
I’m as big as a whale now if that counts as I’ve sat home during covid eating away to hide from the virus
Is that worth anything in Vegas? Besides dining @ the Heart Attack Grill? I need to be identified
It’s more important to know the high spenders by sight & name. Many hotels require this.
Also some Airlines try to use Sir names. (With the frequent flyers in the front of the plane)
@KP and it is proper form to always address the high roller by only an initial (Mr J instead of Mr Jones for example) so their actual name is never spoken
At Chick Fil A, the whales are rolled to a corner and hand fed special slop.
@BC\: you’ll get a Brown plates and napkins.