Total rewards

[Suicide King]

What's the best way to get points? How did you degen your way to seven star druff?

[Dan Druff]

Video poker.

Has a lot of variance to it.

The question is: What are you looking to get out of Total Rewards? Simply put, what specifically are you thinking you will gain from an increase in status? The answer to this will determine whether it's worth doing for you.

[Suicide King]

Video poker.

Has a lot of variance to it.

The question is: What are you looking to get out of Total Rewards? Simply put, what specifically are you thinking you will gain from an increase in status? The answer to this will determine whether it's worth doing for you.

Cut in lines, free rooms, show tickets to Mariah Carey. You know, the usual.

[sonatine]

[Dan Druff]

Video poker.

Has a lot of variance to it.

The question is: What are you looking to get out of Total Rewards? Simply put, what specifically are you thinking you will gain from an increase in status? The answer to this will determine whether it's worth doing for you.

Cut in lines, free rooms, show tickets to Mariah Carey. You know, the usual.

The most common misconception is that Seven Stars will get you great comps. It won't. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I know Total Rewards Gold (lowest tier) members who get better offers than I do.

Your offers (free play, show tickets, free food, etc) are related to your semi-recent play, and NOT your tier status.

The best benefit for Seven Stars is the guaranteed 4-5 night (usually 5) free room at any property, no matter how much or little you've played recently.

You might want to read this, especially the second post in the thread: http://pokerfraudalert.com/forum/sho...s-vs-MGM-Mlife

You also might want to consider just going for Diamond (it's 10x quicker to get there), though that doesn't come with the guaranteed free rooms.

[Reno]

I got the Total Rewards VISA about 6 months ago and automatically got bumped to platinum. Then after I charged over 10k, They sent me a VIP pass.
I used the VIP pass at the RIO diamond hotel check in line and also for the buffet on my last trip.

Here's the copy:

When you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, you’ll receive unlimited VIP access in Las Vegas for the following calendar year, which includes:4

• VIP Line access at participating buffets and restaurants
• VIP Line access for hotel check-in
• VIP Line access for taxis
• Preferred entry into participating nightclubs and entertainment venues
• Access at all resort pools

When you spend $5,000 in current calendar year and continue to enjoy all the benefits of being a Platinum Tier member, such as:4

• 15% discount at our casino gift shops
• Monthly 2-for-1 tickets to participating shows in Las Vegas
• Up to a 10% discount on select Norwegian Cruise Line® vacations
• Preferred pricing at participating Total Rewards restaurants
• Room discounts at Caesars Palace and other Total Rewards destinations
• Exclusive pre-sale access for select shows

[Dan Druff]

Platinum is pretty worthless nowadays.

The VIP pass you describe isn't bad, but keep in mind that if you can run up $10k on your credit card fairly easily, you are better off credit card bonus whoring (a different subject) where you can get back like $500 or so in value (sometimes direct cash back) for spending $3k-$5k.

It's also important to know that the TR Visa doesn't move your tier score up. You stay at the same tier score and just get promoted to Platinum, so it's no easier to get to Diamond.

BTW, the room discount thing is BS.

[Suicide King]

Platinum is pretty worthless nowadays.

The VIP pass you describe isn't bad, but keep in mind that if you can run up $10k on your credit card fairly easily, you are better off credit card bonus whoring (a different subject) where you can get back like $500 or so in value (sometimes direct cash back) for spending $3k-$5k.

It's also important to know that the TR Visa doesn't move your tier score up. You stay at the same tier score and just get promoted to Platinum, so it's no easier to get to Diamond.

BTW, the room discount thing is BS.

If you use the visa on properties you get 5x the points

[Drexel]

Cut in lines, free rooms, show tickets to Mariah Carey. You know, the usual.

The most common misconception is that Seven Stars will get you great comps. It won't. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I know Total Rewards Gold (lowest tier) members who get better offers than I do.

Your offers (free play, show tickets, free food, etc) are related to your semi-recent play, and NOT your tier status.

The best benefit for Seven Stars is the guaranteed 4-5 night (usually 5) free room at any property, no matter how much or little you've played recently.

You might want to read this, especially the second post in the thread: http://pokerfraudalert.com/forum/sho...s-vs-MGM-Mlife

You also might want to consider just going for Diamond (it's 10x quicker to get there), though that doesn't come with the guaranteed free rooms.

Even after all these years, I truly don't get how the TR system works.

Was 7star for 3 years and I did get decent offers as I was +ev playing there a considerable amount of coin in.

I got as Druff mentioned the 5 free nights and a bunch of other offers i.e free tablets, gift cards, freeplay etc that all included rooms.
I stopped playing at Caesars late last year and am now only diamond.

HOWEVER other than not getting great offers ( I get like $50-$100 freeplay, gift card offers, per getting $500 and up before) I still am able to either comp myself 5 nights either online or through the 800 number without ever once being denied.

As I type this from my suite at the bellagio, I made earlier a reservation online at Caesars for 5 nights this coming week and I receive a free Android tablet. I also booked 5 nights back in March at Caesars from december 29 until january 3rd.

Also I use a local address so they know I live here. Not sure why I am still able to get free rooms, great shows (got seinfeld, shania twain and rod stewart this year) plus britney every month and many others.

The only thing I can think of is when I am at a CET property I usually play $20-50 at most in a machine just so they don't see months and months of inactivity on my part.

I will do diamond in a day again this year before decmber 31st.

It's excellent to have these perks as when friends and family come visit, I can ALWAYS get them comped for at least 5 nights at one of 9 properties of their choice.

Now with platinum at Bellagio, thats almost 20 properties to choose from with very little spent gambling to get these benefits.


GS

ZoD

[TheXFactor]

As I type this from my suite at the bellagio

Did you have to go through a host to get a suite at Bellagio?

If so what do they look for besides your platinum status, are they looking at your total play or big losses?

[WillieMcFML]

I'm elite plus at best buy.

[Drexel]

As I type this from my suite at the bellagio

Did you have to go through a host to get a suite at Bellagio?

If so what do they look for besides your platinum status, are they looking at your total play or big losses?

Lol nice picture.

When you reach Pearl level (thats the one below platinum), you are automatically assigned a host randomly. In fact they seem to be a stickler about this. Jeanne has a high school friend from NY who believe it or not is an executive host at Bellagio. I tried to change to her. Not because I dislike my host (he is actually great) but she would be able to give me the max but she told me Mgm/Mirage cooperate has a strict policy of not allowing this to be fair to all the hosts. If you're a random gambler (high or mid stakes without a host) you are randomly assigned. Of course if a host poaches a customer from another property or had a prior relationship, than that is fine.

I found out by walking into the hosts office (behind the rewards center) my assigned host, his hours, and got his phone number. We in the past have just texted when I needed something and he has come through every time. Twice I needed a room on his days off. I just called the hosts office and talked with whoever answered and had them book me a room (they briefly will look at your play and then confirm your room). Then when I arrived I showed VIP services my platinum card, stated I needed a bigger room (suite/parlor suite etc) for entertaining/business etc and both times no problem.

I believe M Life has a VIP only reservation number but I have never used it and am not sure if they could book suite's or better for you without a host/shiftboss approval.

Also, you can login online and review your express comps (those are comps you earn that you can use for food, giftshops, bars, mom/mirage owned shops at all their properties worldwide). You can also view your free play, point play, holiday gift shopping points as well. There is a tab that says "show me my offers" but I have yet to see any comped rooms offers when looking. Even at mutt places like the excalibur.

For me I like that fact that TR lets you book your rooms (no suites) online without having to talk to anyone. I again booked a luxury room in the Augutus tower for 5 days from online. Caesars seems to also offer more rewards i.e. shows, freeplay, gifts, gift cards etc

However, MGM/Mirage has much better rooms to choose from (which is important to me). In order for me its Bellagio, Aria, Vdara, Mandalay Bay, Mgm, Mirage etc are all fine well maintained and renovated properties. After Caesars the drop off is huge. Even NYNY, Monte Carlo are nice. Just excalibur and luxor are mutts.

Also, MGM/Mirage will give you comps for meals/or pick up your room charges WITHOUT using your express comps. Which Caesars isn't allowed to do.

A few years ago I lost a small fortune at Caesars after a bender back when I use to play the pits ( I don't anymore). I charged a $600 meal from nobu, and a few room service charges. It totaled less than a grand.

When I checked out my host told me they would use my Rc's (which were like $900) and comp the extra $100. I was fucking livid. I had just lost 20kish and they wanted to use my points I had earned over the last year to comp me with? After creating a big stink and making threats about never coming back and blogging about this, my host got approval from someone and i got to keep me RC's. But she ended the conversation by saying this was a one time deal and it would never be done again!

Lastly, MGM/Mirage top card NOIR use to be gained by reaching one million tier points, then 2 years ago it was extended to 2 million tier points. I was told (by Jeannes friend who is a host) that snobby longtime NOIR members were getting pissed that too many people were entering their elite club. Some by just grinding it out at small stakes throughout the year. So they went ahead and changed the threshold to 2 million minimum and your host must recommend you to a committee that votes on new members once a month. Lol I kid you not. A players card committee.

I have 1.8 million tiers since January but there is no fucking way I will ever see the light of day of noir for the same reason Redrock 86'ed me from playing by labeling me an advantage gambler and permanently DNI'ING (DO NOT INVITE) both me and my fucking 70 year old dad. Pops only crime was that he was my dad. Pops has lived out here since he retired since 2006 and never gambles other than my free play and a occasional $10-25 sports bet.

GS


ZoD

[hongkonger]

Can either Caesars or MGM waive your resort fee if you don't plan to use any of the services it covers? I don't need their in-room internet as I can tether my phone. The only service I'd use is the gym, and paying per entry is cheaper than the resort fee. I have had it waived once at a Caesar's property but another time they refused.

I am not a high roller by any means and I'm only in Vegas a couple times a year but I found it somehow easier to make Gold (3rd level if you include the basic player card) in MLife and never made it even to Platinum (2nd level if you include the basic player card) at Caesar's. And that was including the fact that Caesar's gives you tier credits for sports betting which MGM doesn't. I never sports bet at MGM anyway as they have shitty odds on some of the bets I like. But I think MGM gives you tier credits for restaurant and hotel spending whereas Caesar's doesn't. If I'm wrong about any of that please correct me but that's what I remember.

[MumblesBadly]

Video poker.

Has a lot of variance to it.

The question is: What are you looking to get out of Total Rewards? Simply put, what specifically are you thinking you will gain from an increase in status? The answer to this will determine whether it's worth doing for you.

Here's a true story about the Total Rewards program that is consistent with how operations at Harrahs/Caesars is riddled with fail (for the company). But I will premise it with a rhetorical question: Would you believe that it was possible at one time to earn enough Total Rewards points to become a Seven Star member only by playing 2/5 NL regularly at the Harrahs properties in AC for about 9 months? And by regularly, I mean about 50 hours per week.

Well, the answer is "Yes"! A buddy of mine and I each did so in 2008 and 2009
ONLY playing poker those years, and I would have some so also in 2010 if I hadn't taken a full time job away from the poker table for 6 months that year. And with the free rooms over the weekend that I would get from my VIP host, and the others I would get for free at other properties during the work week, I was able to practically live in AC for weeks at a time on their dime, paying nothing out of pocket for rooms and using food vouchers or Reward dollars for meals in the casinos. And I took two trips to Vegas on their dime on the annual trip, with a $500 entertainment voucher. But unlike my buddy, I didn't go on the cruise, as I had no interest to do so.

But by the third year (2010), my casino host realized that I wasn't going to crack open the wallet like an actual high roller, and cut back on the number of free rooms I could get. And like Druff, I had to play some video poker to earn enough points that year to retain my Seven Star status through the next year. Actually through March of 2012, as they gave Reward members a 3-month grace period before you lost your prior year status.

But eventually, the top guy managing the Harrahs/Caesars properties in AC realized that the poker rate was too high (by more than double what the Harrahs properties in Vegas awarded), and drastically scaled back the rate in 2011. But it was good while it lasted!

[Belly Buster]

VIP status is way way way behind NVIP status.

[RegGaymer]

Thread reminds me of the movie Hard Eight. Samuel Jackson was good in that.

[Dan Druff]

Platinum is pretty worthless nowadays.

The VIP pass you describe isn't bad, but keep in mind that if you can run up $10k on your credit card fairly easily, you are better off credit card bonus whoring (a different subject) where you can get back like $500 or so in value (sometimes direct cash back) for spending $3k-$5k.

It's also important to know that the TR Visa doesn't move your tier score up. You stay at the same tier score and just get promoted to Platinum, so it's no easier to get to Diamond.

BTW, the room discount thing is BS.

If you use the visa on properties you get 5x the points

That's correct. The only real value to that TR Visa card (aside from getting instant Platinum and the signup bonus once you spend $750) is getting the 5x RCs for every $ you spend at Caesars properties.

But it's shit for everything else. You should definitely never use it for anything outside of CET properties once you qualify for the initial bonus.

[Dan Druff]

Can either Caesars or MGM waive your resort fee if you don't plan to use any of the services it covers? I don't need their in-room internet as I can tether my phone. The only service I'd use is the gym, and paying per entry is cheaper than the resort fee. I have had it waived once at a Caesar's property but another time they refused.

I am not a high roller by any means and I'm only in Vegas a couple times a year but I found it somehow easier to make Gold (3rd level if you include the basic player card) in MLife and never made it even to Platinum (2nd level if you include the basic player card) at Caesar's. And that was including the fact that Caesar's gives you tier credits for sports betting which MGM doesn't. I never sports bet at MGM anyway as they have shitty odds on some of the bets I like. But I think MGM gives you tier credits for restaurant and hotel spending whereas Caesar's doesn't. If I'm wrong about any of that please correct me but that's what I remember.

Resort fees are never waived for anyone below Diamond.

[Krypt]

Honestly, druff is a business owner's worst nightmare.

[Reno]

If you use the visa on properties you get 5x the points

That's correct. The only real value to that TR Visa card (aside from getting instant Platinum and the signup bonus once you spend $750) is getting the 5x RCs for every $ you spend at Caesars properties.

But it's shit for everything else. You should definitely never use it for anything outside of CET properties once you qualify for the initial bonus.

Plus:
2X REWARD CREDITS for every $1 spent on airlines, gas, and groceries


1X REWARD CREDITS for every $1 everywhere else Visa is accepted