Since my last visit to Las Vegas, I’ve been receiving emails from MGM Rewards offering comped or highly discounted rooms. While those emails can be a little annoying, they’re a reminder that there are perks to being a member of casino loyalty programs — and signing up for them can provide extra benefits.
One example is Caesars Rewards. I first enrolled decades ago, back when I was just old enough to gamble in Atlantic City. Over the years, I’ve also visited Caesars properties in Reno and Las Vegas. My account has been around so long that I still have my original Harrah’s card (which I found in the drawer with my credit cards) — and the number matches my current Caesars Rewards account.
On my last trip, I needed to pick up a new Caesars Rewards card, so I stood in line at the loyalty program counter. The casino agent took my Florida driver’s license, typed for a bit, and then asked if I still lived at my old New Jersey address. I laughed — that was from when I lived with my parents. Then she asked if I still had my old landline number.
After I gave her my updated info, she noted that my first enrollment was in Atlantic City, which must have been soon after I was legal to gamble in NJ.
Because I’m not a frequent visitor — more like once a decade — I’m not expecting Caesars to offer me massive comps. That said, my membership did help me score a discounted room at the Nobu Hotel in Las Vegas, which made it worth keeping the account active. And oddly enough, that same “once-a-decade” history hasn’t stopped MGM Rewards from offering me a free room.
I’m just not the kind of guest casinos roll out the red carpet for. I play a little video poker, maybe a few slots, and call it a night if I break even. No wonder I’m not a prime customer for casino loyalty programs.
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1 comment
Agree completely. I like to gamble and give the bulk of my action to Caesars (with MGM second). I play enough with Caesars to get mid tier elite (Diamond Plus) which gets me almost always comp rooms plus some junkets and other free/discounted items. However, whenever I play I sign up for the account. Not only do you get offers sent to you but many have sign up bonuses (like some free play or a meal comp) and others status match which can get you even better offers.
Just yesterday I reached out to Winstar in Oklahoma (huge casino about an hour north of DFW area). I played their last fall and will be back in the DFW area in September. Even though I didn’t get them a lot of action (and actually had a small win per the win/loss report) I got a comped room overlooking the pool that would have gone for over $250 a night (I checked the base rate from a different browser). I do have to pay the $10 resort fee but beats paying $150 at a Hampton Inn that night (will be back in the metroplex for following 4 nights) and can gamble then play their golf course early the following morning before heading out.
As you noted, it is always wise to sign up for casino programs and check them. Even very infrequent gamblers will get incentives to come back especially mid week.