Trying to claim my 7 Stars Experience

I have more than 260,000 tier points so far with the Total Rewards program and yesterday I went to Rincon to try to claim a 7 Stars Experience. I have "two credits" towards the "purchase" of an experience (50,000 tier points equals 1 credit over and above the 150,000 required for 7 Stars.) I chose "gas for a year" which is a maximum of $80 per month for 12 months.

I went to the Total Rewards desk and the first person I spoke with didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about... but a second person said "gee, they were talking about this this morning." She called a supervisor and they found a new pamphlet which explained the 7Stars benefits.

In it was info about how to claim the 7Stars experiences: get your host to do it, or call a special phone number 855-977-7827. I asked for a host, and the host came by and said "call." So, I called right from the TR desk.

What I reached was a voice mail that asked for my name, number and info and they would call me back. I was advised to wait two days for the call back.

I will let you know what happens. I was told that I was the first 7 Stars player who tried to claim an "experience." This is an experience.

That's both sad and hilarious -- and expected.

Caesar's does an incredibly poor job at informing employees regarding the TR benefits, especially ones concerning Seven Stars.

In fact, had you asked me to guess what would occur when you went to redeem your Experience Credits, I would have predicted something exactly like this.

Don't wait by the phone, either. I bet you'll never get that call back.

Bulletin news. Just got off the phone with the "experience office" in Vegas and my free gas money starts April 15. Yes they called me. I get $4/gallon credit on my Fuel Rewards Network account at Shell which I use. And unused credits carryover to the following month. This is a GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I am confused how it works. I take it you mean not so great? How do you keep track of the $80/month? How much is gas in southern California?

The Fuel Rewards Network acts like a "pre paid gas card." In this case, Caesars will add a discount of $4 per gallon up to 20 gallons per month. So the first 20 gallons of gas I buy each month starting April 15 will have the price discounted by $4 per gallon. Here in LA pump prices are well over $4 a gallon and I have to use premium which is about $4.35 a gallon.

If I don't use all 20 gallons (unlikely) whatever is unused from the $80 credit carries over and can be used the following month.

The only drawback is that I must buy Shell gas which may be priced higher than other brands. But the Shell station is nearby and very convenient for me to use and the price difference isn't that great -- and it's actually lower than nearby Chevron and 76 and Mobil stations.

And I do think this is really a great use of my "experience" credits.

Yes, I have a fuel reward network card I have used. I have a 90 cent discount available now. My Ford Focus ST has an 11 gallon tank and gas here is still under $4/gallon. Knowing how I think the program works I am not seeing how they would track your unused benefit for the following month or even the next fill up in the same month.

In other words my 90cent discount once I use it for the 11 gallon fillup, I can't come back the same month and get the 90 cent discount on the remaining 9 gallons.

The tracking is done by the fuel rewards network. Caesars simply pays $80 (20 gallons at $4 per gallon) to the FRN for me (and others) to use.

It's as if I sent my daughter a pre-paid Visa card for $80 each month but she could only use it for gas. I load the card with $80 and she uses it. If she doesn't use all $80 she has the remaining balance to use the following month. Same concept.

Ok, that works. But is different than a normal fuel rewards network card account. I guess you wouldn't want to register that card either on the FRN website and have your fuel rewards bonus added to it (for play at CET properties). I expect that would get really confusing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by supermaxhd

Ok, that works. But is different than a normal fuel rewards network card account. I guess you wouldn't want to register that card either on the FRN website and have your fuel rewards bonus added to it (for play at CET properties). I expect that would get really confusing.

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It's the same card... your credits from casino play are also on the card as well as the "experience" bonus.

Actually supermax may have a point.

It's a bit hard to believe the the FRN cars works so differently just in this case.

But maybe it does. Wouldn't surprise me if Caesar's crapped the bed on this one.

I don't know what you mean by working differently?

The FRN card gives you discounts on gas purchases based on your play in the casino as well as other purchases. I have the FRN card linked to my BofA debit card and when I go to certain restaurants, for example, I "earn" credits that give me discounts at the gas pump. When I play at CET casinos I get credits that earn me gas discounts. The discounts are combined. One month I got $1 off per gallon on the price of gas; another month I got 80-cents off per gallon.

Now, with the 7 Stars Experience I will get $4 per gallon off on the first 20 gallons I buy each month and I also have the other credits from regular casino play plus credits from use of my BofA card to give me additional discounts at the pump.

Should I earn another two "Experience Credits" (100,000 tier points) I would be entitled to $4 off per gallon on the first 40 gallons purchased each month -- plus what other discounts I earn.

As we established -- the "gas for the year" deal is worth $960 cash value which is what two Experience credits is worth on other items. For example, I could have gotten two forum shop shopping trips valued at $500 each, which is about the same as the gas value.

100,000 tier points represents $1-million coin in at video poker. On a game paying 99.17% this means CET had a profit of about $8,300. So "giving away" $1,000 to the players still leaves them plenty of profit.

But if you play at Rincon, then the profit margin for CET shrinks a bit. At Rincon you get combined cash back and free play equal to one-tenth of 1% of your coin in (my estimate on combined offers), and one-tenth of 1% of one million is $1,000. But that still leaves a profit of $6,300.

I earn fuel rewards credits at CET. Usually 50-80 cents/month. When you got your 80 cents per gallon off it was only good for one gas purchase. If your tank was 20 gallon then you saved $16 one time (the maximum benefit). For me my gas tank is just over 11 gallons. If I were to use an 80 cents off my maximum benefit is 80 cents off of 11 gallons (not 20) for a $10.40 savings. The potential savings had I had a 20 gallon gas tank is lost.

Alan

I think supermaxhd is correct.

If I have $4.50 credit on FRN ($4.00 from the experience and $0.50 from the TR daily) and I buy gas for $3.80 I will only have a $0.70 balance. I have never been credited anything for unused fuel.

My tank only holds a little over 16 gallons and I lose the remainder (4 gallons @ $3.80 = $15.20).

CET really promotes the fuel rewards network like it is a huge savings. The most you can earn is $10 cent discount per day (500 tier credits) for $5 days for one gas purchase up to $20. For video poker players this means $5000 coin in per day on 5 separate days. For that I get $10 in gas savings, but wait my gas tank is 11 gallons and I don' tlike to run it down to fumes so at most I get 10 gallons for a $5 month savings.

I'm really happy to see so many comments on this forum about CET's rewards. Here's something you all should be aware of and some of you probably are: many of the TR benefits' procedures are fashioned after the grocery store industry's coupon and shopper loyalty rewards programs, where it is highly expected that the amount of effort and follow through required in order to receive certain benefits just won't match what many player's have the wits or time for. In other words, frustration makes a lot of people quit their effort, thereby saving money for the corporation. CET would be in even worse shape if everyone who was entitled to certain benefits actually stayed the course to receive them.

You may also not be aware of what the Great Gift Giveaway is all about. Say you choose a Movado watch which you "pay" $500 in earned credits for, for example. Well, CET isn't paying much for this item if they're paying anything at all, but the "purchaser" is paying equivalent top dollar for it. It's all about advertising for the suppliers. So CET gets a good amount of play on some of the most negative expectation machines in the industry in which it's all calculated out theoretically in advance to be costing the purchaser an even higher price for these items than they're really worth. Some people do win however, but that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things because CET is actually paying a miniscule amount, if anything as I mentioned, for everything that flies out the door. What I'm saying is that the Giveaway is a profitable even for CET in every five year plan I've seen.

I'm sorry but I don't understand the point you're trying to make. Yes the regular FRN discounts are on one fillup. But the $80 credit can be used on multiple fillups. Is that what was being discussed?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I'm sorry but I don't understand the point you're trying to make. Yes the regular FRN discounts are on one fillup. But the $80 credit can be used on multiple fillups. Is that what was being discussed?

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Yes.

Many, myself included, are doubting that the very basic premise of the FRN system will somehow be modified just for this TR promotion.

FRN always resets your account to 0 after a fillup. (Well, actually you get 3c off, but it's technically zero in their system.)

For it to work as was described to you, they would have had to make a major adjustment to the way a system works -- something I don't necessarily believe has been done.

I am afraid it's actually $4/gallon up to 20 gallons on one fillup, and that's it.

I may be wrong, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if you get a rude surprise on your second fillup, and if these can't be "stacked" like you think they can (that is, maximum of one redemption per FRN account).

I asked these exact wuestions. Why don't you?

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I asked these exact wuestions. Why don't you?

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Who should I ask? I will probably get the same answers as you did.

However, what they say and what actually occurs is often two very different things when it comes to Caesar's.

Funny thing--I sent an e-mail to that guy who promotes 7-Stars with some newsletter on vpFree. I told him he might want to be more open in what he is saying and to tell the whole story, and not just what he sees in AC. He came back with a rant about how dumb vp players are and how tired he is of them calling a slots-omly player like him crazy.

Great corporation, and I'm glad I put the big hurt in the big easy on them recently.

Today my gas tank is near empty... so later I will be going to Shell to use my FRN card to see fi the $4/gallon credit is really there (it was supposed to be available on April 15). I have a 14 gallon tank so after my first fill up I will see if the remaining 6 gallon credit at $4 per gallon remains for the second visit. I haven't forgotten and I will report back.

Thanks Alan

I am curious about this and waiting to sign up.

Yes, I filled up my tank yesterday with premium at Shell for a price of 45.9-cents per gallon. I bought 14.705 gallons (and I thought my car has a 14-gallon tank!). The $4 per gallon discount for my "Seven Stars Experience" was there.

The question is... when I go back to Shell this month will I get the balance of the "up to $80 savings" per month?

My savings yesterday was $58.82 but I should be getting a discount worth another $21.18.

Alan

You can use the website to see all activity:

https://www.fuelrewards.com/fuelrewards/

When you set up your account it will ask for your card #.

Never use a debit card at any gas pump.

Just got gas and I did NOT get the discount I expected. I will be calling TR on Monday.

But there is a solution -- buy gas for both cars at the same time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

Just got gas and I did NOT get the discount I expected. I will be calling TR on Monday.

But there is a solution -- buy gas for both cars at the same time.

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Yup, exactly as I suspected. I had a hard time believing that FRN modified their system just for Caesar's.

How can you fill both cars at the same time? Wouldn't that require a second driver?

Also, FRN has a 25-gallon limit per fill-up.

On a side note, if the pump read 14.7 gallons when your tank is listed as 14 gallons, you might have been cheated. I've seen inaccuracies on both sides of the spectrum. Most recently, I filled up in South Dakota last summer, expecting to need about 15 gallons, and after "2 gallons", the pump clicked off. It took a few tries to restart it to realize that my tank had completely filled, and the pump just wasn't recording properly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

Just got gas and I did NOT get the discount I expected. I will be calling TR on Monday.

But there is a solution -- buy gas for both cars at the same time.

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Why not just let it go? Isn't your time worth something to you, and who do you expect will even care about such a problem enuf to fix it somehow?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

I had a hard time believing that FRN modified their system just for Caesar's.

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Actually, the question is why did I get the wrong information? Not whether or not the FRN system was modified or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

How can you fill both cars at the same time? Wouldn't that require a second driver?

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This is not difficult. I already discussed it with my son since I pay for the gas in the "company car." He simply follows me to the Shell station and I put 14 gallons in my car, and 6 gallons in the company car. Actually, many Shell customers do this now with the Ralph's Rewards program at Shell.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Also, FRN has a 25-gallon limit per fill-up.

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Not a problem since the Caesars discount of $4 only applies to 20 gallons per month.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

On a side note, if the pump read 14.7 gallons when your tank is listed as 14 gallons, you might have been cheated.

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I doubt I was cheated. I would not swear in court that my car has a 14 gallon tank -- only that in the past I was able to put in about 14 gallons. I admit that since I was getting $4/gallon off that I did my best to "top off" the tank -- as best as you can these days with the new pumps/nozzles.

I sent an email to the department that handles the sign-up of the "experiences" and a copy to my host. I will give them a day or two to respond and then I will call. The email:

Hi. I signed up for the "gas experience" via the toll-free number, and I received a $4/gal discount on my first fill-up on April 16. Everything was flawless.

But my "fill up" was only for about 14.7 gallons, and I expected the $4/gallon discount to also be available for about 5.3 gallons on my next fill-up. However, when I went back for more gas on April 19, there was no credit.

When I signed up for the "gas experience" I specifically asked about this and was told that whatever "credit" was not used on the first fill-up would carry-over to the next fill-up. I even asked if the credits that were not used in one month would be carried over to the following month. And to both questions the answers I received were "yes."

I would like clarification of this.

I signed up for the "gas experience" using two "experience credits" because I was told that I could receive my full $80/month discount in multiple visits each month and that unused gas credits would carry-over to the following month.

If your representative spoke in error, tell me that.

If the representative was correct in what I was told then please explain how this error on the part of the Fuel Rewards Credit will be corrected.

Thank you.

Alan, the current way the FRN system works presents another problem that you may not realize.

I know that you were planning upon "stacking" the Signature Experience gas benefit -- that is, buying a few of them. So if you redeem it twice, instead of $80/month in gas, you will get $160/month.

Unfortunately, it looks like this will be impossible. If they attempt to stack them, you will get $8 off per gallon, which you will never be able to use unless the gas prices go up to $8 per gallon!

It will be impossible under the current system to place a second $4 off discount on your FRN account, as FRN's system is programmed to reset to zero immediately after use.

Like many things at CET, this promotion was poorly thought out, and the reps have no clue how it actually works.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

I know that you were planning upon "stacking" the Signature Experience gas benefit -- that is, buying a few of them. So if you redeem it twice, instead of $80/month in gas, you will get $160/month.

Unfortunately, it looks like this will be impossible. If they attempt to stack them, you will get $8 off per gallon, which you will never be able to use unless the gas prices go up to $8 per gallon!

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I think you're right and the TR Rep I spoke to may have been wrong with the info she provided. I specifically asked if I purchased the "experience" a second time if I would get a total of 40 gallons with a $4/gal discount. I was told yes. But now, I don't believe it. If I do purchase the "experience" again I will want to see the deal in writing.

Just got a call from TR regarding my email. They admit to the confusion about the rules and details and offered a full refund of my "experience credits."

An update: I received a "refund" of the two experience credits I "cashed in" for the gas discounts. I used those two experience credits for two of the $500 "Reward Credits" cards and I picked up the two $500 cards which I was at Caesars over the weekend. These can be used at Caesars hotels, restaurant, shops and the list of stores in the Forum shops that will accept the "credits" is supposed to be released soon.

So are you still going to get the $4 off per gallon next month? They might be incompetent enough to let that happen.

Anyway, hilarious how I knew more about the way it would work with FRN than anyone at CET. Just pathetic how misinformed they frequently are, and how they didn't see the flaws with this "gas for a year" plan from the start.

They could have just given you $960 on Shell gas cards per 2 experience credits, but instead they do this FRN garbage.

Also, some Shell stations don't even take FRN cards.

Big mess all around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

So are you still going to get the $4 off per gallon next month? They might be incompetent enough to let that happen.

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Nope. Already checked. I do have a 20-cent per gallon credit from my regular play, but I don't know which "play" that represents. I am pretty sure there is a delay between casino play and when FRN discounts show up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

They could have just given you $960 on Shell gas cards per 2 experience credits, but instead they do this FRN garbage.

Also, some Shell stations don't even take FRN cards.

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Two excellent points. Actual Shell Gas Cards would have been perfect. And there isn't even one Shell station that accepts the FRN discounts within something like 50 miles of Rincon and many of the players at Rincon have complained about this. Even here in West LA and the San Fernando Valley there are only a couple of Shell Stations accepting FRN. The one I use is the Shell at the White Oak Ave exit of the 101 Freeway which also happens to have a lower price than many other Shell stations because of the proximity to competitors.

Alan

I just found this list on the TR Gift Cards Faq.

It is a nice list and the best use of 7 Star Experiences

Participating Merchants

FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS PALACE

Abercrombie & Fitch
Agent Provacateur
Alfred Dunhill
Ann Taylor
Anthropologie
Antiquities
Apple Store
AX Armani Exchange
Baccarat
Banana Republic
Bath & Body Works
Brighton Collectibles
Brooks Brothers
Cache
Casa Fuente Cigar Shop
Chrome Hearts
Coach
Custo Barcelona
Davante Sun
David Yurman
Diesel
DKNY
Donald J Pilner
Elie Tahari
Emilio Pucci
Escada
Express
Fat Tuesdays
Fresh
Gap
Giuseppe Zanotti
H&M
Henri Bendel
Hublot
Inglot
Intermix
James Perce
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab
Judith Ripka
Juicy Couture
Kate Spade
Kiehl's Since 1851
Kush Fine Art
La Martina
LaCoste
Lucky Brand Jeans
MAC Cosmetics
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Martin Lawrence Gallery
Max Brenner
Nike
Pal Zileri
Pandora
Peter Lik Gallery
Reed Krakoff
Shoooz at The Forum
Skechers
Sony Style
Spago
St. John
Sushi Roku
Sutart Weitzman
Swarovski
Tadashi
Ted Baker London
The Cheesecake Factory
The Walking Company
Tiffany & Co.
Tod's
Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama Women
Tory Burch
Tourneau The Watch Authority
Tumi
Vicci Fine Jewelry
Victoria's Secret
Vilebrequin

MIRACLE MILE SHOPS AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS

Aldo
Aldo Accessories
Alpaca Imports
American Apparel
Art of Music
Auntie Anne's Pretzels
Baby Gap
Basin White
Bath & Body Works
bebe
Bettie Page
Bikini Bay Mimi Mango
Billabong
Blondies Sports Bar & Grill
Brighton Collectibles
Cabo Wabo Cantina
Cache
Chicos
Chinese Laundry
Citta Delle Luci
Club Tattoo
Crazy Shirts
D'Amore's Famous Pizza
David Z NYC Footwear
db's Pong & Pool Hall
DC Shoes
Earl of Sandwich
Foot Locker
Fossil
Francesca's
Frederick's of Hollywood
French Connection
Gap
Gap Body
Gap Kids
Gap Maternity
Garrett Popcorn Shops
GUESS
GUESS Accessories
H&M
Hattitude
Houdini's Magic Shop
Jamba
Journeys
La Salsa Cantina
Landau
Las Vegas Fight Shop
Lids
Lobster ME
Lola
Lombardi's Romagna Mia
Lucky Brand Jeans
Luxury Gadgets
Napoleon
Original Penguin
Oyster Bay Seafood & Wine Bar
Pampas Churrascaria
Panda Express
Pandora
PBR Rock Bar & Grill
PH Stuff
PH This & That
Poker Face
Quicksilver
Rant & Rave
Red Mango Yogurt & Smoothies
S.Y.L.K.
Scamp & Scoundrel
Sephora
Shaunz Clothing
Shemoni Jewelry
Skechers
Solstice Sunglass Boutique
Sophia Fiori Diamond Boutique
Stach
Steve Madden
Sugar Factory
Sunglass Hut
Swarovski
TAGS Evolution
The Body Shop
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The Source Electronics & Accessories
The Walking Company
Todai Sushi & Seafood Buffet
Tommy Bahama
Tous
TRISTAR Sports Memorabilia
True Religion Brand Jeans
Ultra Diamonds
United Colors of Benetton
Urban Outfitters
Vegas Royalty
Victoria's Secret
White House Black Market
William Carr Gallery

Aaron could you please post the link to where you got that list of stores? Total Rewards told me to go to this page:

https://prepaid.cardgistics.com/cust...ars/cgift1/359

And they do not show any stores -- only the casino restaurants, casino stores, etc.

Are you looking at current data? When I called my host on Monday I was told the list for 2014 would not be available for some time... and TR sent me an email that said it might not actually be completed until the fourth quarter.

Alan

It was:
https://www.totalrewards.com/e-total...tcard-faq.html

Then Nevada under Merchants.

It looks like it might be for old cards. (Don't know the difference)

Hi Aaron. I'm afraid that is from "last year's" info, but hopefully the same stores will be available this year. I share your opinion that the $500 gift cards are the best use of the 7 Stars experiences.

What's the last word on the 'gas for a year' for 2 experience credits. I have 5 experience credits I am struggling to figure out how to use. Is it sill $4 off per gallon and one trip a month making it difficult to get the full benefit for someone with an 11 gallon tank and gas now under $3/gallon?