A little while ago we had an in-depth discussion with Craig Shacklett, the co-founder of URComped. He gave us great insight into how the company got started and laid out the kind of comps and other benefits gaming fans could achieve. We liked everything we heard and asked Craig if we could speak with a URComped client. He graciously provided contact information and we setup some discussions to learn more about the URComped experience from the player’s point of view.

Meet David Kimmey – URComped Client

David Kimmey is the President of EngineIce, a leading provider of coolant for motorbikes and ATVs. He sat down with us and shared some details on how his relationship with URComped had paid off.

TZ: Hi David. Thanks for agreeing to speak with us. Tell us about how you got started in gaming.

DK: Sure, no problem. I’m a slots guy. It’s my go-to activity to change things up and have some fun. I started at the very low end playing penny and nickel machines. I also really like the old school machines too. You know, single line, 3 reel, bars-cherries-sevens-diamonds, classic machines. I started playing regularly and doing OK. I think my first hand pay ever was at The Hard Rock Casino here in Florida. At that point in time a $200 jackpot was a large payout and a big thrill, all at the same time.

Joining A Loyalty Program – Achieving Status

DK: I didn’t belong to any loyalty programs initially. It took me a little bit of time to learn about them. The first one I joined was MGM / M life. Eventually, I had signed up for most of them, but I really started to focus on Total Rewards. After some concentrated effort, I achieved Seven Stars Status with them and started to receive some excellent comps and benefits. But they were mostly limited to the Caesars family of properties. I really didn’t have that level of status with the other large casinos and independents.

TZ: How did you get introduced to URComped?

DK: As I recall, we first spoke on the phone. Craig took the time to walk me through the program, explain the benefits and asked me to let him know when I was going to take a trip and wanted to play slots, but there wasn’t a Total Rewards affiliated casino in the area. He said he could definitely help in this area and to get in touch.

I looked at my business travel schedule and had a trip coming up to Kansas City, as I recall. I didn’t know of anywhere out there that was a TR casino. Actually, I didn’t know of any casinos out there at all. So I gave Craig a call and gave him my itinerary and asked his to give it a shot.

URComped Delivers

TZ: What happened next?

DK: A little bit of time passed and then I heard back from Craig. He had located a casino in the area where my business trip was taking me. He had it all laid out perfectly. When I arrived at the hotel after my business was concluded, they were expecting me. They knew who I was and they had a full VIP package waiting for me at check-in. Specifically, I received:

• Complimentary lodging in a great corner room spa suite. It was quite large, a living room, dining area, wet bar, and half-bath in living room and then a large master bath with bi-folding doors to the spa tub, visible from the comfortable king size bed.
• A generous amount of free slot play,
• Complimentary food and beverage (I don’t drink so they got off easy there.) and,
• A very nice gift. A good quality portable Bluetooth speaker.

That wasn’t all of it. URComped also arranged for me to have complimentary tickets to a Bruce Springsteen show and limousine service to and from the concert.

It was seamless and a great experience overall. What was going to be a mundane business trip turned out to be the perfect combination of business and pleasure. The comps I received were as good, if not better, than what I would have received if I had stayed at a Total Rewards casino. That pretty much nails the value of having a relationship with URComped – VIP recognition across a much larger number of hotels and casinos.

TZ: So I guess that makes you a satisfied client?

DK: Definitely. I work with Craig and URComped on a regular basis now, and recommend to my friends that are also into gaming.

For more information on URComped and their benefits, be sure to check out these articles:

URComped | Your Independent Casino Host

Interview | URComped | Casino Comps Done Right With A Casino Host