Which property/program?

Myself and 2 buddies will be staying at a timeshare in January, and we're budgeting a combined $25k gambling budget. We have no intention of "chasing" comps, but we're curious as to which players club offers the best comps? Are they all basically the same? I've been to Vegas before but never gambled the amount I intend to on this trip. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

To start off with, i would assume you might spend the most time playing "closer" to the timeshare than further away. Where will you be staying?

Next, what sort of games will you be playing the most?

 

This question very ambiguous and will receive a multitudes of opinions. So I will start with mine. I am a Total Rewards guy with Caesars Entertainment. I play mostly blackjack and pai gow at the $25 level and bet sports. I like CET because even though I am not a High Roller I have comped rooms as most of their properties for most days. That leads to the ambiguity in your question because I personally believe CET is much more likely to give you comp rooms for future visits and a few Reward Credits towards dinners and shows, while MGM's MLife program from my experience will be more like to earn you Express Comps for food and shows and less likely to give you comps rooms. So it depends on what comps you prefer, to me 4 nights comped in a $80-100 room at a CET property is worth more to me than paying for 4 nights at $80-100 and getting $200 in Express Comps at MGM properties. But you will find others on the board that are big fans of MGM and will choose to disagree. Both companies have casinos I enjoy playing at but for my needs CET better fulfills those.

 

We are staying at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on the strip. It's on the north end. Distance isn't too great of a concern, we rented a car. I AMA craps and bj player, the other guy plays mostly roulette and some craps. I think the third guy plays mostly bj. I am sure we will throw in some 3 card along the way.
Personally, I think comps that we can take advantage of sooner than later would be best as its not likely we will be back within the year.

 

So, three guys with an ave of about $8500 each at an mlife casino would get you a room and a reasonable food allowance if you were staying there. Since your not, I don't know what you expect. Sure you will get express comps you can spend now, but your giving up all your main comps unless you get a host to buy you supper after gambling there all day. You guys could all stay free next trip, but as far as current comps, if your not staying at harrahs or mirage or wynns, I wouldn't expect your going to get very much this trip.

 

You'd be better of trying to manage your money yet taking advantage of a 3-4* hotel's offers...

 

I notice you mention you will not be returning within a year.

Combining the length of time before your next stay with the unpredictability of comps lately, I would completely forget them and try "comping yourself" in cash by playing at the locations where the odds are best for the games you are playing.

That said, if you want to maximize your possible comp return, I would recommend the following.

First off, I would completely ignore CET properties as they give below average comps to table players and generally have horrible rules.

With your groups primary games of BJ and Craps, with some roulette thrown in, I would probably concentrate my play 100% at Aria. Craps rules don't vary much, unless you like some carny bets, but they have nice crews at Aria. They also have good BJ rules and single zero roulette which would fit your $8,000 budgets nicely. I also like the atmosphere. I would recommend getting a relationship with a host, just in case the length of time before your next trip precludes you from getting the corporate marketing offers.

At Aria, even if they end up screwing you on comps, at least you have gotten your money into play with the best odds on your choice of games. And odds are for that level of play, they'll give you something this trip and extend offers in the future.

 

Some good advice above.

Play where there are decent odds, and you enjoy it. Most comps are to get you BACK and they hope to get more of your money on the return trip.

No matter how much you play on this trip, they can NOT comp your room. With enough play, you might get some meals, but doubt it. Main reason? Usually folks charge meals to the room, then the host/staff will look at your play and consider comping it off. Unable to do that here. Still, if you get well known at a casino, you might still get a meal comp, but don't count it.


Side note: CET reward points expire after 6 months of no activity.

 

Sounds like you're a table player. Got with Mlife/MGM hotels or Wynn. I think they treat table players better than the alternatives on the strip. If you're looking to build comps for a future trip, go with Mlife, since you don;t have to play as large as you would at Wynn to get comps at their mid and lower properties

 

Great advice! Thanks everyone!