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Suggestions wanted for comp program strategy for 2015

Discussion in 'Comps' started by DaiLun, Feb 23, 2015.

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  1. DaiLun

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

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    It's still early enough in the year to pose this question . . . .

    OK, I completely realize that I'm breaking some primary tenets here:

    1)Don't play for comps
    2)Play only where you feel lucky
    3)Play only where you'd want to stay
    4)Don't spread yourself too thin.

    So, my plan was:

    1) mLife Platinum (nice properties on the Strip)
    2) V/P Gold (Gold lounge at Venetian)
    3) stay preferred at the D (very good comps, rooms/suites almost anytime)

    But now, CET has crept into the mix. I've made Platinum and Diamond is within reach. If I put in a little effort and have decent luck, I could make Diamond by the end of the year.

    I am primarily a slot player. I only play table games if I have match plays and only to fund my slot play.

    Las Vegas and Reno are my primary gambling destinations, so CETs vast array of properties has little appeal.

    When I go solo (most of the time), I only need a room to sleep, which is why I try to stay preferred at the D.

    I only need a room on the strip if I'm playing for a level or entertaining a guest.

    Also, CET, V/P and mLife had end of the year Gift promotions. I live close enough to attend all three.

    So, armed that that information, what would you (suggest I) do?

    Right now may strategy is:

    1)Regain Platinum at mLife
    2)Regain Gold at V/P
    3)maintain preferred status at the D
    4)Make Diamond at CET

    Should I really be adding a 4th?

    Oh, and last year's history.

    12 trips to Las Vegas
    14 W2-Gs
    All tolled, not including comps, down about $3k, but if you include comps, I didn't pay for any rooms and very few meals, so I figure that I am up $3k (or more)

    My next trip to LV is schedule for 3/11-3/12, a 16 hour trip for Silver Strikes. I don't plan to play

    Thanks for reading, any suggestions welcome.
     
  2. newmans

    newmans VIP Whale

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    Don't forget that CET is offering a 50% promo. You'll get a 50% tier credit bonus on your tier credit balance on March 31. If you're Platinum now, you may be closer to Diamond than you think.
     
  3. ajp

    ajp High-Roller

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    The one nice thing about Diamond is the Diamond lounges. You can stop in for free drinks and a bite to eat. If you spend enough time in Vegas this may be worth it if you are close.
     
  4. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    If all you care about is a room to sleep in then you should be fine with CET already and not need to go after Diamond - even when we were "high Gold" with Total Rewards we were able to get 5 nights comped at most Las Vegas properties and then when we made Platinum it was 1-3 nights at their better properties.

    Otherwise you are saying 12 trips last year so you are definitely going enough where you can handle 4 different loyalty programs: there are a lot of people that only go once a year and are able to get in good with MLife and Total Rewards or two to three times a year and manage to still get comps from 3-4 different programs.

    Mind you that spreading yourself out does limit the quality of the comps (IE: how much free play you get, how good is the free room) but you are probably close to the ceiling already for what you can get in comps now and would have to step up to the whole next level to move up to better comps (IE: Noir with MLife or 7 Stars with Total Rewards) and to do that you'd probably have to cut back on what programs you can use.
     
  5. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I think its kind of obvious. Prioritize which levels are most important to you. It appears you may have already done this. And play in that order. Once you hit Plat at mlife, move on to Venetian and play til you hit gold. And so on. If you end up with enough play left over to try and make Diamond at CET, then go for it
     
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  6. sindustry

    sindustry VIP Whale

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    I think you can easily get Platinum at mlife and Diamond at CET, by spreading your play over a few trips. If I remember correctly, you seem to play dollars slots or higher, which is what I play, when I do play slots. I re-uped CET Diamond and mlife Platinum over two trips to Vegas in January...double booking CET and mlife both times and spreading my play between the two, both trips. I made just over 15k TCs at CET (with bonus TCs) and over 300k TCs with mlife. The important thing with CET is to always keep track of your daily TC. I always stopped each day once I hit 1000 TCs, so I would get my 1000TC bonus. If you can do 2500TC each day, it will only take you 2 days to get diamond. I think with your slot play, you can leisurely play both properties and reach these tiers over a few trips.

    If you want to get CET TCs quick, I went my local Harrah's recently for a quick trip. I played $1 multiline Quick Hits at $27 a spin and fed a $5 Cleo2 $800 for 8 spins. I did not keep track of TCs because I did not think I would rack up much for the short time I was there...1 hour. I apparently reached 1000 TC in that hour, since I got an email later on saying I earned a 1000TC bonus from that quick trip. So, if you can handle the swings and actually like multiline $1 machines, you will rack up TCs fast.
     
  7. pphold

    pphold pp Park Place Degenerate

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    OK Sindustry, I'll be in Vegas march 4-7 and 24 to28th. I'm going to hit the Quick hits. going for CET and Cosmo slots this trip and maybe some V/P or milfe.
     
  8. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Excellent replies. You also get a $100 free meal, and two free show tickets per month, available for many CET shows and also the High Roller.

    I obtained Diamond last year, and should obtain it this year (finished Platinum in a Day, one more session needed), by playing 3 line $1 9/5 JOB at PHo. As a slot player, CET offers many comps to the low / mid gambler, but you may be more comfortable at V/P and MLIFe properties. CET will book you on the Diamond Floors and give you decent rooms, free play and other offers ($150K tournaments, show tickets, etc.). I played at MILFe properties, but I receive far more in comps for my play w/ CET. I still play BJ at times at Bellagio/Aria and MGM because of their rules. Bally's has decent rules in their HL room at the quarter level.

    You have many trips and options, only you can answer whether you have enough Vegas variety, but there are many perks as a CET Diamond, some of which cannot be found elsewhere.
     
  9. DaiLun

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

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    Excellent advice. I did get 2 consecutive 1000TC bonuses this weekend at Harrah's Reno but left early because I "chickened out" and didn't want to put any more at risk after the 10K jackpot. I'm going down to LV for 16 hours on 3/12 and might spend some time there to accumulate 2 1000TC bonus days.
     
  10. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    chasing levels is pretty much a sucker game.

    the perks of the levels are nearly worthless.

    what you should be "chasing" if anything in the comp game is generous offers with FP/promo chips or invites to tournaments and other big events - things of real value.

    and the best way to accomplish that is consolidate all your play at one company/casino.

    unless you have a Nate-level BR, you don't have a enough to spread it around and still get the best value.
     
  11. sindustry

    sindustry VIP Whale

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    Damn...I'll miss you by a few days. My next trip is not until the first weekend of April. You and Plee can tag team the evil red and blue Quick Hits at Cosmo.
     
  12. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    I've only recently become a serious slots player. You say over 12 trips you've only lost $3k. I would consider $3k to be very cheap entertainment for 1 year.
     
  13. boogaloobboy

    boogaloobboy Tourist

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    Also an unsustainable win rate, but thats what happens when you hit a 10K jackpot that represents 3 or 4 times your per trip bankroll. That is an amazing year for a slot only player.
     
  14. DaiLun

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

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    Oh trust me. I have no expectations of sustaining this level/win rate. In fact I am "behind" last year's pace. Last year at this time I had 7 W2-Gs. This year I "only" have 3. I keep waiting for the "other shoe to drop".
     
  15. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Everything you listed in the things you get from these cards is basically free rooms and lounge access. Is there anything else you get from the card?

    I ask this because I feel you make be thinking that the reason you get free rooms at MLife is because you are Platinum. This is not the reason though. The reason is because you gamble so much within a day and they are willing to give you a free room for that. They are also willing to give you other perks that come along with the card.

    My main point on something like MLife is that if you go there 3 times a year and gamble just to maintain platinium, you should receive similar offers if you only played there 1 time at the same level you do now. Even if you are only Gold, your offers will not decline. ADT matters a lot more than what level card you have.




    So for MLife. If you only want status because you like the rooms for when guests come with you, just gamble there when you have guests. Don't go more often because you think you need to hit platinum.

    V/P is up to you. If you really want that lounge access, that is your choice. It doesn't sound like you are getting much out of that card though to me.

    Sounds like you like the D, so no reason not to continue playing there. :)

    CET - Same thing as MLife. 1 day of large play will get you room offers for a year+. When you do use a room, play there a bit and the offers remain. Getting Diamond status isn't going to suddenly increase your offers and not getting diamond won't decrease them.



    Now I go back to the question on what are you getting out of the cards. CET has things like the diamond dinner and other perks. I'm sure other cards have their perks as well. Just make sure you are going for the perks.
     
  16. sindustry

    sindustry VIP Whale

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    There are some very minor advantages to having diamond and mlife plat. At first thought, they may seem inconsequential, but when it comes in handy, it is a great thing to have. For mlife plat, there are two things that I consider life savers. First is cutting the taxi line. I find myself using the taxi more and more now and if you have ever tried to get a taxi on a busy weekend or during a big convention, the lines can be ridiculous. Being able to walk right up when the line is 20+ people deep is well worth it. The second is the free tix to some of the hotel attractions. For me it provides something for my kids to do when I bring the family. For CET Diamond, the separate checkin and taxi line cutting is the life saver. Would I gamble for the sole purpose of trying to reach these levels? Of course not, and I do not think Dailun is either. I believe those who pose questions like Dailun, already play enough, and at a level, where they can attain these tiers at mlife and CET. Trying to get status at 4 or more players clubs may be pushing it, but again, if you are already playing a lot, those tiers are just going to come naturally. If all you need is free rooms and enough FB to cover solo trips, then I see no problem in spreading play around. I actually like having the option between CET and mlife, although I much prefer mlife hotels.

    Now, if PH would have continued serving Voss to Diamond players, I would have TC-comp-tier chased diamond, just for that alone...lol.
     
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