• Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Would getting a Total Rewards credit card be worth it for me?

Status
Not open for further replies.
AceRothstein80

AceRothstein80

Low-Roller
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
410
Location
Wichita Kansas
Trips to Las Vegas
19
So, I go to Vegas on average, I'd say 1.25 times a year(some years 1x some 2xs)

I primarily play poker, craps, video poker, blackjack, and very rarely will play a slot. I have never been platinum. Generally I can get 1-2 nights midweek free, and relatively good prices on weekends, for the lower tier properties in Vegas. I never get any kind of free show or food credits ahead of time.

I read the info on the TR visa. I feel I can easily hit the parameters to remain platinum through the card(no annual fees and I'd pay off balance monthly, so no costs to me)

So, would it get me better room rates on the front end, maybe even at Planet Hollywood or Caesar's? Platinum would save me parking fees in the garage once they kick in right? What other bennies would I get? Maybe combining the points + whatever play I do, maybe more free food credits?
 
The card will not improve your offers. But you would get platinum benefits.
 
Another good thing is that you wouldn't lose any reward credits due to inactivity, as long as you use the card at least occasionally (I think that you have to earn/use reward credits at least every six months to avoid losing them).
 
Yes that would be a key, not losing my points.

I just was wondering, if adding the CC points, to my current gambling activity, would together add up to better offers.

For me, my main thing, is I like the come on for room rates. I'm never concerned with show tickets or back end stuff...I rather gamble to win than to earn comps. But I just like getting into a room as cheap as possible.
 
Getting TR Visa card has no effect on room rates you receive or your offers. COMPed and/or discounted rooms are based on your play or gambling activity.
 
AceRothstein80 said:
Yes that would be a key, not losing my points.

I just was wondering, if adding the CC points, to my current gambling activity, would together add up to better offers....
Click to expand...

Offers are based on play.
Not on tier.
Not in Reward Credits
Not on Line of Credit

Offers are based on play/theo/adt.
 
Any CET OR MLIFE CREDIT CARDS BENEFITS are big joke.... sorry for those who has it and may disagree with me but matter the fact, there's another credit cards out there has much better benefits - such as chase freedom or citi double I can't imagine risking my valuable FICO score to get that credit card. So do not get the cards....offers will be based on your play maybe enjoying some benefit. Again I'm sorry for those who has the cards who disagree with me.
 
If you are paying out of pocket, the RCs you earn from using the card can then be applied to that. You would also be ahead by the parking fees if you definitely have a car.

I have not picked up the card myself. I have a few Chase cards - SW Airlines, Sapphire & Marriott. The best 'bang' by far is the SW card. My last 3 trips have been 17,000-19,000 miles each for a $350 or so fare. So getting close to a 2% return on that. My standard daily is the Sapphire which is only 1% but just straight cash back. I normally save that up until I have 400 - 600 and then redeem. Using that for vacation etc. Won't give up my Marriott card either, although it is probably the least bang as far as return value.
 
I am also in the boat if avoiding Mlife and CET credit cards. The points are good only at their casinos, and then at only 1%. Get cards with big signup bonuses and/or at least 2% cashback.

We actually get a new card every 3-4 months, earn the 50,000 points and then move on to another. We then fly for free, usually in first on multiple trips a year.
 
I signed up with TR back in March of '16. I think I'd get more out of it if points were accrued more in line with CapOne or Citi (e.g. availability and non-expiring) rather than purchases within the network. Since we only get to LV about once per year, it's not really worth for us. Sooo...I transferred my TR balance to another card, got a fistful of airline miles and am going that way. I just feel that we fly more than we specifically visit Vegas, and as such, the TR perks are not as valuable as miles. If we visited Vegas more often, I might feel different, but ... :cool:
 
So many reward CCs out there. Hard for anyone to judge the relative value to you, however. Air miles are the bomb for us, for instance, and specifically Alaska.
 
Love my TR Visa. We don't pay a dime for meals, snacks, drinks, spa and other things.
 
shokhead said:
Love my TR Visa. We don't pay a dime for meals, snacks, drinks, spa and other things.
Click to expand...

That is true. Just realize you are basically getting a 1% cashback on that card. If it works, then great.

If you spending enough to get meals, snacks, drinks, spa and other things free, then I have to assume you are spending LOTS of money on that card. There are lots of cards that will give you more than 1% back.
 
you get what is the equivalent of 1% cash back. The only instance where the card makes sense is if you use it to book rooms, as you'll get 5% cash back. However, if your play already allows for comps, the benefit is negated (save for earning 5% on resort fees). Personally, I see no value in the card and there are much much stronger reward / loyalty cards out there. Truthfully, Commenity Bank (the underwriter) has some of the least competitive cards and the highest rates
 
Benefits not worth it compared to the vastly superior earning power of other cards. Between my four Chase cards (sapphire reserve, freedom, freedom unlimited, ink), I am earning points faster than I can spend them.

Also, if you are considering a SW card, go with the above combo, or at the very least, a chase sapphire reserve or preferred. Either of those cards blows the SW card out of the water.
 
I do a lot of mile/points/cashback cards. Total Rewards does have a place for us. I use spreadsheets to determine the best return on my spent money.

Here are some pluses for this card in addition to what was already pointed out.
  • 2% back for groceries and gas.
  • They regularly have bonus spend offers if you use the card regularly. This month we had an offer to spend $600 outside of total rewards and get 3000 bonus points in addition to our regular points. Oct through December had 3% back on dining.
  • When you use your reward credits at a total rewards restaurant directly you don't pay taxes since it is considered a comp. I may be wrong, but aren't the taxes around 8%. $8 of additional savings per $100 is worth considering. Not sure if you save taxes on room stays or spas. I never looked at those to see.
 
Last edited:
nostresshere said:
That is true. Just realize you are basically getting a 1% cashback on that card. If it works, then great.

If you spending enough to get meals, snacks, drinks, spa and other things free, then I have to assume you are spending LOTS of money on that card. There are lots of cards that will give you more than 1% back.
Click to expand...
It's our main CC with auto bill pay. It works for us.
 
It might be leaving money on the table but let's face it, some of us are lazy; I know I am. Doing the this card/that card rollover game ain't in my wheelhouse. It works great for others. Who knows the many ways we all might step over a dollar to pick up a dime??
 
Well I use cash way, way more then a CC. Never owned a debt card and never used a ATM.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top