what is the average amount played in order to get comps for rooms and other charges? as far as slot does time on the machine matter more than amount being played? which is easier to get comped at slots or table games? is there any hotels known for being generous with there comps? any one get comped at excalibur? how much played?

Each properties rating system is differnt. The nicer strip properties are going to take more play to get anything worth while, the older properties take a bit less to get something. By something I'm talking a room night or a meal comp. Every property is going to have a differnt point total needed for the goodies. For example, a buffet at Terribles takes a lot less play then say a buffet at the Belagio.
When you say slots, are you grouping in video poker? Video poker on average takes about double the money through it takes on slots to get the same comp. While table games, I have not had very good suscess gaining anything other then buffet comps & coffee shop comps at the $25 a hand level.
I'm not familier with the Ex, so I can't help there. I don't like the people to children ratio, so I stay out of that property.

Please keep in mind, don't chase comps! That is the bait the house is hopping you'll go for! Play at a comfortable level, and then see what, if anything, your entitled to. There is nothing worse then loosing 3 grand for a free buffet, that might have cost you $10.
Don't laugh, it happens all the time!
With that being said, and your looking for a good starting point for hotel offers, invites to tournaments, free meals and alike, start with the smaller houses, and the older ones, and even the locals casinos (specially if your intrested in food comps). (A local is more interested in food then lodging most times....after all, they already live there!)
Suggestions on places to start???
I'd start downtown. If memory serves me correctly, a low amount of points at the Golden Nugget will get you casino rate of $39 weekdays. It's under 60 points, but can't remember the amount, sorry. The Boyd properties can be easy to, sometimes. On the strip, you'd want to go to the older properties, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Tropicana.
Hope this helps

Like Lee said every casino has their own system. some examples of slot comps; Lady Luck 1 point is $1 play, Colden Nugget 1 point=$75 play, IP 1 point = $10 play, some casinos points are by time on machines.I can give the scoop on the IP, room comps are 600 points for 1 night which is $6,000 through the machines, for casino rates for a room all you need is a slot card, booofay comps don't cost any points as long as you have played that day, Good meals will cost points, you also can get good junk, like jackets, shirts, etc. Now Park Place has one card for Bally's, Caesars, Flamingo, The Hilton, & Paris. Mandalay Bay has one card For M.Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus, Slots-A-Fun, Colorado Bell, and Edgewater, These cards all the points are put on one card and can be cashed in at any of the casinos covered on the card. Hope this helps some.

[ 12 March 2002: Message edited by: Larry Sowinski ]

[ 12 March 2002: Message edited by: Larry Sowinski ]

Generally the better strip properties want to see 4 hours per day on the machines, either slots or vp. And they take into account the speed that you play at, although that is also reflected in the throughput you do during the 4 hours of play. They also want to see $1 machine players in order to get room and food comps. You might do better just playing at a property using your slot card and see what kind of offer they send you in the mail that you can use on your next trip. Quarter players get offers also, so don't feel you have to play at the $1 level.