Guest freebies - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Guest freebies," is a straightforward puzzle entry that points to a common piece of jargon, especially prevalent in the hospitality and entertainment industries. The answer is a short, snappy term that's an abbreviation of a more formal word. If you've ever been to Las Vegas or received a little something extra at a hotel, you've likely encountered this concept.

Clue Analysis

The clue can be broken down into two key parts:

• "Guest": This word sets the scene. We're talking about someone being hosted, likely at a hotel, casino, restaurant, or special event.
• "Freebies": This is the core definition. It's a colloquial term for items or services given away for free.

Putting them together, we're looking for a word that means "free things given to guests." The answer, COMPS, is a perfect fit. It's the standard industry slang for exactly this.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, a solver might use a few different strategies:

1. Word Association: Brainstorm words related to "guest freebies." You might think of perks, upgrades, swag, or gifts. While these are in the right ballpark, the answer is a more specific term.
2. Industry Jargon: Consider the context. Where are guests most famously given freebies to encourage their patronage? Casinos are a prime example. What do they call the free rooms, meals, and show tickets they give to high-rollers? The term COMPS immediately comes to mind for anyone familiar with that world.
3. Abbreviation Hunt: Many short crossword answers are abbreviations or shortened words. The answer COMPS is short for "complimentaries." If you think of the root word complimentary (meaning free of charge), you can logically shorten it to the five-letter answer.
4. Using Crosses: If you had a few letters from intersecting clues, this answer would likely fall into place quickly. For instance, with C_M_S, COMPS is the most probable fill for this clue.

Background Context

COMPS is the abbreviated form of "complimentaries." A complimentary item or service is one provided free of charge as a courtesy or marketing tactic. In the hospitality industry, 'comping' is a strategic business practice.

For example:

• A casino might comp a high-stakes gambler's suite and fine dining to keep them happy and gambling.
• A hotel might comp a night's stay to apologize for a service issue.
• A restaurant might comp a dessert for a regular customer's birthday.

It's a fundamental part of customer relationship management in service-oriented businesses.

Conclusion

"Guest freebies" is a classic example of an easy, definition-based clue that relies on the solver's knowledge of common, everyday slang. Once you connect "freebies" to the hospitality world, COMPS becomes a clear and satisfying answer. It's a great entry-level clue that helps build a solver's confidence.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think about perks or benefits offered in the hospitality industry.
2. Hint 2: These are often given to high-rollers in a casino or to make up for a service issue at a hotel.
3. Hint 3: The term is a shortened version of a longer word meaning 'free of charge.'
4. Hint 4: It's a slang term derived from the word 'complimentary.'