Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

July 11, 2008

UPDATED: Strange MGMGrand.com "Hack" Story

Posted by Hunter

My friend Steve Friess posted a story on his blog about a supposed "hack" at MGMGrand.com that supposedly offered illegitimate low rates to customers.

Based on the email that went out afterwords, MGM Grand handed this poorly.

Also, I agree with Steve - based on all I know from years of building Web applications for e-commerce, this sounds like BS to me... If it is true, they were likely penetrated extremely deeply, which would be even worse. Just own the mistake and honor the rates already!

http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/2008/07/was-mgmgrandcom-hacked.html

Updated: Steve has more details - not a 'hack' - just a promotion that was used by those it was not intended to be offered to. Still, maybe not the best handling?
http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/2008/07/mgmgrandcom-not-hacked-but.html



Comments

Read archived comments (10 so far)
July 11, 2008 10:50 PM Posted by js

Yep, I booked using this code, but have not yet received a cancellation email or call. Various friends who also booked that weekend have reported their bookings canceled. I got the code from the LetsGoKings.com messageboard. There is a rabid fanbase of Kings fans staying at the MGM that weekend for the Frozen Fury hockey game. Many of them had taken advantage of this deal, and even were assured by their reps on the phone that "everything is legit" with their booking. Then 24 hours later they were canceled. Read the thread here to see how it all went down:

http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f4/mgm_hotel_69_night_deal_now-81401.html

Seems to me that in this economy MGM should have written the mistake off and be stoked they sold a bunch of rooms for that weekend. Instead they now have a PR nightmare and a grip of Kings fans who are pretty pissed off.

July 12, 2008 7:44 AM Posted by detroit1051

Were these email offers, or were people checking the website for rates? The closest one I got was an email in May, MKT124, for $68 a night good only 5-26/6-8. It will be interesting to see MGM's response to Steve Friess.

July 12, 2008 11:01 AM Posted by LeoNYC

I didn't book using any code, but a month ago I was checking the rates for the Skylofts and I booked a 2-bedroom for $700/night (from 11/24 to 11/27). I got the email confirming it. I thought it was strange since the 1-bedroom was being sold at the same rate. A few days later, when I checked back I found the 2-bedroom for $1,200. Have any of you seen a 2-bedroom Skyloft with such low rate like that?

July 12, 2008 3:25 PM Posted by mike_ch

js: I just assumed you were talking about George Maloof's Sacramento Kings Presented By George Maloof until you mentioned that this was hockey.

You mean to tell me the LA Kings still have fans? ;D Really though, I've been stuck in the LA sports TV market since I moved to Vegas (which sucks because I grew up in the north so I hate all things SoCal), and as far as I can see they're like the current-day Leafs without all the history.


Mike_Ch
(admits his Sharks choke in the playoffs, but at least they get there.)

July 12, 2008 4:08 PM Posted by Mike E

Leo, yes, I've seen rates that low for Skylofts once in a blue moon. I've also seen one and two-bedroom units running for the same price quite often as well as weekend rates as low as $510.

July 14, 2008 1:55 PM Posted by South Looper

Why don't they just cross-check reservations vs slot club records and forget about promo codes altogether? Or if they want to use codes, since Feldman said they saw many names not in their slot club using that code, why not deny the reservation when booking was attempted? Looks like MGM need to hire me to revamp their CRM system.

September 5, 2008 11:10 PM Posted by Joe

I found some photos of the old MGM grand back in 1978. (2 years before the fire) Who ever reads this let me tell on word: QUALITY! The lobby was covered in beautiful marble designs with gold looking decor. In my opinion, I think it was made with quality AND quantity. Kerkorian was the old steve wynn and thats a fact.

September 7, 2008 5:15 PM Posted by mike_ch

Yeah, Kerkorian really went out of his way to add everything he could think of to the old MGM. That's why it has such a huge athletics area. Anyone who has waited for a monorail there has noticed it doesn't just have the pool, but it has several tennis courts and something like five basketball hoops. There's pretty much everything but a football field back there.

September 7, 2008 5:59 PM Posted by detroit1051

And, a Jai Alai fronton. First one I ever saw.

September 7, 2008 8:04 PM Posted by Mike E

No point in fueling the fire of a 13-year-old Leonard Stern. :-)