A story for giggles:
I played at Golden Gate Casino over New Year's Eve weekend just to get enough points to get their very cool 2008 calendar (it has pictures of GG taken since it opened in 1906 as Hotel Nevada, most cool!).
I played a whooping $20 and not only got the calendar, but since I was playing Video Poker - walked with $28
(an $8 profit, which we proceeded to spend on shrimp cocktails ).
Now I receive a 2 free night offer (and piddly free slot play) from them every month.....
Woooo, I'm a high roller now!!!

Darrell and I will be in LV soon as guests of The Orleans. No, we've never played there, but have nights suddenly comped as former Stardust guests.....

Boyd casinos downtown bent over backwards to accommodate us last month, and we suddenly have a host. We've been told to call for anything we need before our next trip to LV.

I personally believe that LV casinos are nervous enough that they are trying to "secure" as many steady customers as possible before the you-know-what hits the fan.
One thing I keep noticing in all the offers that are flooding our mailbox is the phrase "make our casino your home base for ALL your trips to Las Vegas".

I don't know if I should call them up and fess up that we are "The Lynch's - my husband falls asleep by 9 pm and I play lousy quarter video poker all night....who have you got us confused with?".

But not too soon.....for now, I guess I'll enjoy the special treatment!

I believe that AC is cutting any and all waste (and that includes comps) now. Sad, as it appears to me that they will only be hurting themselves in the long run.
LV on the other hand is throwing comps at you in hopes of firmly securing your business for the next several years (despite possible economic downturns and new casinos (both in Vegas and in California) opening and competing for limited customers).
Think of it this way....say I live on the east coast (quit laughing Barry!)....I am quoted $500 for a 3 day hotel stay in AC....Las Vegas calls and gives me free room, hence letting me justify a $500 plane ticket to fly to where it's warm and sunny....hummmm...where do I spend my gambling dollars.....tough call huh?