Generally, shorter waits at busy times the higher the level of check-in you use.

The clerks at higher level desks act as casino hosts of a sort and will do all kinds of things for you if you ask. Dinner reservations, shows, limos, etc. all according to the color of your card.

Maybe some tip the desk clerk, but I never have.

I don't know whether the Frazier tv show gets to G.B. or not, but it's like the lure of the forbidden 'platinum door' in the spa [g].