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Loyalty card dilemma - thoughts??

Discussion in 'Comps' started by VegasChic-, Oct 25, 2014.

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  1. VegasChic-

    VegasChic- VIP Whale

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    The last year I've made 4 total trips into Vegas after a long hiatus, these trips being the first using loyalty cards. I've played a wee bit around the strip to get an idea of what accommodation we like, the casino floor differences, offers etc.

    Here's the dilemma -

    - I now am Gold at Cosmo, and low Diamond at CET, and get some free nights offers from Venetian, the Palms etc but very little play at those.

    - I wonder how much difference it would be in my comps if I were to attempt giving all/most my play to one property - but -


    - I LOVE everything about COSMO, only thought is the casino floor is a wee bit small to not leave it for 3 days at a time. Maybe I could, but so much temptation to leave for a while everyday.
    - Quite sure I could get top level of loyalty program, but would have to give most of my play. Only go to Vegas MAX 12 days a year.
    - Cosmo has by far given the richest offers to me, as well have a very good host relationship going here.
    - Tend to be more lucky at Cosmo
    - Cosmo has been sold, question as to what new owners will do to future offers?

    - I like CET for the Casino floor size between multiple properties, restaurants and decent headliners that I usually get comp tix for. Have little interest in their rooms - but have not ever stayed or even seen any of their higher level rooms. Do regularly find ourselves at CET for the other reasons above. Really like the line cuts in Vegas because we use their restaurants etc, so we do place value there.
    - Even with all my play, I don't think I would ever hit 7 stars.
    - Offers are more fun & often experience based, but not nearly as generous as Cosmo, not even close, and I have similar THEO at both. Not good host experience here at all.
    - Usually lose most of the BR at CET properties, though we have fun losing it, don't get me wrong!
    - CET's financial situation also begs the question of what comps will look like into the future - will they declare bankruptcy, will they tighten up more on the comps? etc -

    What would you do? As the year end is approaching and CET will re-set to zero, I'm questioning where to put my play next year. Although I don't entirely mind double booking a trip, it gets borderline silly if I ever want to do something outside of these hotels with teaser offers from elsewhere, and wonder if it's worth it at all since i won't underplay an offer.

    Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. BTW, since making Diamond, I haven't yet used any of the benefits since it only kicked in (bonus) after I arrived home. Can't yet speak on the value of Diamond lounge or celebration dinners etc.

    Just to clarify, I'm not changing my betting habits, or bankroll, just questioning where to give that business to.

    Debating the idea of only targeting Platinum Status for the line cuts at CET next year......but that still feels strange to me. Would you continue splitting play? Leave it to one property??

    Thanks for any help on this!
     
  2. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Thanks for any help on this![/QUOTE]

    Exactly the dilemma I am facing, considering:

    1)Gold at Vernetian/Palazzo
    2)Platinum at mLife
    3)At a very high comp level at the D

    What It boils down for me is:

    1)Where do I like playing (feel lucky)
    2)Do I really need the amenities that the company's properties provide
    3)What is the regular comp value

    Since I am a slot player, there is alos the "tangible intangible" of rewards points for the end-of-year gift events. This year I am split between V/P and mLife, but I think about how much better it could have been if I had focused on one casino chain.

    If it were just "me" all the time, the D would be perfectly fine, however, one the once in awhile when I have a "female guest" accompany me, the Strip usually plays out much better.

    I gave up on the Cosmopolitan because the only attraction there for me (I'm old and don't drink alcohol) was the Wicked Spoon. It's only a single property.

    Another question would be: "Do you travel to destinations other than LV?", for that, CET might be a better option. mLife has other properties, but they don't count play for comps as well.

    I'm planning on letting my Gold level lapse at Venetian/Palazzo this year. The rooms are nice, but the casino is just too tight, although I broke through and got (2) W2-Gs there this year.

    Hope that gives you things to think about.
     
  3. skinsfan

    skinsfan Tourist

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    If you love everything about Cosmo, you should focus your play there. Especially (1) if you are lucky there and (2) you have better offers there. I am not sure what Gold at Cosmo gets you - I matched a couple of years ago and am still Platinum without giving them much play. I would play there but I need to find time to establish myself so that they can give me offers worth staying for, and usually when I am there it is to go to Marquee, not to gamble. That said, if I was only in town for 1 or 2 weekend nights (or Monday night), I think Cosmo would be a great option.

    I think going for Platinum at CET would be a mistake. That does not allow you to cut the cab line, get better seating at restaurants (which is not important to me but may be to you) or have the better line cuts (i.e. cage, check-in) at certain casinos. It further does not get you into the Diamond Lounges, which are very useful for me when I want to relax and drink with a friend/watch a game in a relaxed environment or eat without going to a restaurant. There is also the free monthly show benefit but I have only used that for friends so I can not speak as to the qualify of the shows. The diamond re-qualification dinner is $100 to the restaurant of your choice - you can just go to the TR desk next time you are there and ask for it. I usually use it for 2 people to Bacchanal. If you are planning on spending significant time at CET properties, I think it makes sense to go for Diamond or nothing. I even think there is an option to get Platinum by simply getting a credit card if you think it would be useful.

    In my mind, based on what you have described, the Diamond status is nice and all but if you have everything working for you at Cosmo, you should focus everything there and venture out to other casinos (CET, MLife, etc.) as you please (assuming no trips to AC/other locations where Diamond would also be useful).
     
  4. VegasDave

    VegasDave Addicted

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    If Cosmo is working for you and they are super generous (like they have been with me over the last year) I would only worry about the short term rewards of the program. Should any significant change take place, I don't see them dropping the value of their loyalty program dramatically in a day giving customers a reason to gamble somewhere else. I love everything about Cosmo too and went from mostly Aria play to focusing on Cosmo. The atmosphere is unbeatable!!
     
  5. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Do not spread yourself too thin and look like a lower level player at any of the places. At the end of the day, go where you are happy. Saving a few hundred in comps at the expense of being happy is not so great.
     
  6. Gambling Host

    Gambling Host Tourist

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    I like to only play at one casino because I feel that I get better comps with that casino than I would if I spread my money around. I think that’s one of the great things about Vegas for me I can gamble, eat and sleep in one place and not have to move around a lot. The variety of restaurants and games is enough to keep me happy. Like nostresshere said the main thing is play where you are happy
     
  7. Ade87

    Ade87 Low-Roller

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    VegasChic - As a Cosmo player I thought I'd ask for some info!

    I gambled all over the strip on my first and only trip last year but got an email in April to tell me I was Sterling at Cosmo. This should mean I have at least 5k points.

    If I got the email to say I was Sterling in April that should be my anniversary date right? (And not November which was the date of my last trip)

    Do the 2x multipliers on slots count towards status tiers or just towards points that can be used for comps etc? Just trying to work out what play I would need to get Gold. My next trip is 2 weeks today but I want to go for a week in August next year on a guys trip and the Gold comp nights & companion nights could come in handy!
     
  8. PayTriple

    PayTriple VIP Whale

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    Hi VegasChic,

    I would concentrate on the Cosmo, and try to get to Platinum level.
    As others have said, right now the Cosmo is "trying harder" then the other properties and so their offers are better.

    And any extra play you have, you can give to the CET, to keep getting some offers.
     
  9. VegasChic-

    VegasChic- VIP Whale

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    Thanks everyone for the comments. I think I will increase my play at Cosmo and make that the daily priority, and only once fulfilled, I will give the balance to CET. Not prepared to give up on CET entirely but really need to be more mindful of where my play is going.....and the value back I'm getting from the play!
     
  10. VegasChic-

    VegasChic- VIP Whale

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  11. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    That seems like the best play. if you made Diamond this calendar year, you will be Diamond through March 2016. You've got time to make your goals at Cosmo and come back to CET. But you did point out that Cosmo has new owners. For that reason, don't feel guilty about needing to play elsewhere. I don't think 100% loyalty makes sense when you have one casino operator on the brink of bankruptcy and the other big player on the strip that appears to be stable but can't help changing it's players club all the time. Don't give up your options.
     
  12. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    If you are going to try and keep going 4 times a year, finding the casino floor small might be something to bear in mind because its not just for the one trip, but you would have to keep playing strongly in their casino trip after trip to maintain your comps and offers.
     
  13. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Never put all your eggs in one basket.
     
  14. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    I would focus on Cosmo and another property (ex. MGM or CET) since the slot selection at Cosmo is pretty small. I'm a slotter as well and I get sick of the variety after a day of gambling there, which is why I go to a MGM property in the middle of my stay at Cosmo.
     
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