Caesars Total Rewards perks for Diamond and Seven Stars Players

This list was given to me at check-in and I think it is the most up-to-date list of perks for Seven Stars (7 Stars) and Diamond Total Rewards players at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

What surprised me is that there is a hotel extension 484 for assistance 24 hours a day.

Here are the perks listed:

Priority seating at all restaurants including the buffet and the food court and even at Starbucks. Folks -- I've seen the long line at Starbucks in Caesars Palace and to be honest, I think it would be down-right pretentious and rude for anyone to try to cut that line. I won't do it. I stand in line like everyone else.

You also get VIP Valet at three valet locations: the Main valet, the Colosseum Valet and the Laurel Collection Valet. What is the Laurel Collection Valet? Well it's the side entrance on Flamingo that takes you directly to the Augustus Tower, and is a short walk from the Octavius Tower. Those two towers are branded as the Laurel Collection. I asked, "what is the Laurel Collection" and I still haven't gotten an answer.

There are also free show tickets.

At the Flamingo you can see Vinnie Favorito and Legends in Concert.

At The Quad there is a comedy show and Frank Marino's Divas and Recycled Percussion -- another show.

At Paris, you get free tickets to the Eiffel Tower Experience.

At Harrah's you get free tickets to:
Defending the Caveman
The Improv
Mac King
Million Dollar Quartet

And at Bally's you get free tickets to:
Jubilee
and the newest show Veronic Voices and I am hearing good things about this show.

Alan, why do you think it's pretentious to use the priority line?

You earned it by spending a lot of money at CET

It's no more pretentious than sitting in first class on an airline, sitting in the good seats at the ballpark, or driving in the toll lane on the 91 freeway while everyone else sits in traffic.

You should never be guilty about redeeming a perk because you have spent more money at the business than others.

It's not like you're cutting in line at the DMV.

Sorry Dan. I let ladies go first, I let seniors go first. I let families with kids go first. When I see an older person waiting or a lady waiting -- I always signal to them and to the cashier that they should go ahead of me.

Now, at places with "assigned lines" such as the cage where there is a specific window for Seven Stars I know that the employee may not agree with me. But in a restaurant or certainly at Starbucks, I can wait. Having been a bigger gambler does not cancel out manners.

So if you saw the hour line like I did for the Bacchanal Buffet, you would have waited in it despite being able to walk in as a Seven Stars?

About a long line at the buffet:

First I would see if there were any elderly folks who had trouble standing and waiting to eat. Perhaps they were diabetic and had low blood sugar or were just weak. Then I'd want to see if there were any restless kids.

I think 7 Stars get enough "priorities" getting free rooms, and getting guaranteed valet service, and having an assigned host, and getting free show tickets, and a special phone line to call for 24/7 customer service and the ability to make reservations and to get the reservations they want.

Cutting lines is a privilege I don't really need.

Hi Alan

Was Penn & Teller listed as a free show?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FABismonte

Hi Alan

Was Penn & Teller listed as a free show?

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No!! Not on the list.

Alan, I have to say. I appreciate your unselfishness. In this world of self gratification and me, mine, selfishness mentality. Its refreshing to know there are still gentlemen out there. And I'm with you. I would never take cuts in any line. An assigned line is another story.

Thanks Vpnewbie but I also object to assigned lines perhaps with the exception of hotel check-ins. I think Diamond and Seven Stars players are entitled to this perk.

Alan, I am not understanding how you are picking and choosing where priority lines are and aren't okay.

A line is a line. Either it is okay to use priority lines due to a certain status with the company, or it is not. (I'm in the camp where it definitely IS okay.) But I can't see how you feel you should use priority lines in some cases but not others.

Waiting in line for Starbucks, the buffet, the cashier, or to check in a hotel are all the same. You are waiting in line to be served.

If you want to take the ultra-populist view that "nobody has priority over another simply based upon their status at the business", then you should stand in ALL regular lines and avoid the priority ones.

If you want to take the view that you are "entitled" to priority lines due to your heavy play at CET casinos, then you are entitled to ALL priority lines -- not just the ones at check-in.

Of course, you are welcome to stand in whichever lines you wish, but honestly you are robbing yourself of a perk that you earned through the expenditure of a lot of money with CET. If you are going to deem the priority lines "wrong" or "rude", then you should never purchase a first class airline seat, never purchase good seats at a concert, never use the Augustus Tower valet parking, never drive in an express toll lane on the freeway, and by extension, never drive a nicer car than average or live in a better house than average.

We live in a capitalistic society where more money buys you additional things that others cannot have. If you object to that, perhaps you shouldn't be living in the United States.

I could totally understand if you objected to being able to skip a line simply because you knew someone who worked at the place, as you could morally deem that unfair. However, when you give a lot of business to a company (as you have with CET), it is simply the way the market works to where the better customers get priority.

I recently stayed at the Monte Carlo (wouldn't recommend it, btw), and stood on a long (probably 45 minute) line to check in. When I saw that line, I was temporarily in shock. "I never stand on a long line to check in to a Vegas hotel," I said to myself, but then quickly realized that I'm a "nobody" at MGM properties and don't deserve any perks or priorities. I did not resent the people with higher statuses at MGM who were able to "cut" in front of me and get priority check-in. I knew that they earned that priority through their play, and I did not. Therefore, I stood in line like everyone else and fully understood why certain people got to breeze through without waiting.

Similarly, I never resent the people who sit in better seats at concerts/ballgames, sit in first class on airplanes, drive better cars, or live in a nicer house. Why? Because there's no reason to resent them. I am not entitled to better things than people who pay more than me.

Furthermore, I am somewhat doubting that you would have stood on the hourlong line at the Bacchanal Buffet if your date really wanted to go there.

Imagine this conversation:

Date: "Oh, Alan, I always wanted to try the Bacchanal Buffet! Let's go!"

Alan: "I'd love to, but look at that line! It's got to be like an hour or so. Are you sure you want to wait that long?"

Date: "But I see it has a Seven Stars line where you can walk right in. And you're a Seven Stars! Let's go!"

Alan: "Sorry, but I think that's wrong. Come here in the back of the line, sweetie, and let's have a romantic hour staring at the back of people's heads."

Date: "Ha! You're funny! Okay, but seriously, let's go to the Seven Stars line."

Alan: "No, I really mean it. It's wrong to use that line. Either we wait for an hour or you will have to choose somewhere else to eat."

Date (to herself): "I know who won't be getting any tonight!"

Dan let me give you this as an example:

Seven Stars get a private office to check in. I use it. I think it's appropriate that 7 Stars get to check in privately and quickly.

There is no reason why Seven Stars should be able to cut the line at Starbucks.

When it comes to restaurants, Seven Stars get priority with reservations. Seven Stars also get priority seating with shows. And I can understand why the casino would want a special cage window for 7 Stars players because 7 Stars Players are probably doing special transactions which involve markers and credit lines and large transactions and aren't simply cashing slot tickets.

I've been at Central when there was a long line and I let elderly and family with kids go ahead of me even though there is a 7 Stars line.

And I don't think I would ever have a date with someone who is shallow and isn't compassionate about the needs of others.

Now, there might be a reason or two for why I think the way I do.

First, I was brought up with manners: to open the door for women, to let women enter first, to respect elders, to show preference for parents coping with kids, and so forth. I think my parents taught me well.

Second, I used to be an insulin dependent diabetic. I vividly remember the time I had a wait in line at a restaurant -- and when I sat down I was hit with low blood sugar and if not for a quick-acting waiter who got me orange juice I would have suffered a full diabetic insulin shock.

If you need to be able to cut lines to feel that you are getting what you deserve as a "7 Stars" then knock yourself out cutting lines.

Alan, if it's a short line and there are a few elderly people waiting to be seated (or, alternately, a family with young children), I can understand letting them go ahead even though your Seven Stars allows you to go first.

However, when dealing with a huge line like at Bacchanal (with hundreds of people), you are not allowed to pick and choose who gets to go ahead and who has to stay in the regular line. So the choice is either wait an hour or use the priority Seven Stars line.

It is not "shallow" to want to use your perks that you earned through spending a lot of money at a particular business.

Starbucks, Central, and all other third-party businesses on CET properties have a Seven Stars line because they are an extension of the hotel. Even if CET doesn't own or partially-own them, these businesses pay a very steep rent to CET to be there, and also agree to adhere to certain CET standards (such as giving priority seating to Seven Stars). You should not feel guilty about taking these perks, as they are equivalent to getting faster check-in while everyone else waits (which you seem to be totally fine with doing). The fact that you check in at a special VIP room is immaterial. You are still "cutting" the check-in line by using it.

The bottom line is that you paid for these perks. You didn't pay directly, but you paid through your expected (and likely actual) losses on their machines at medium-high limits. You are entitled to better/faster service for that reason, which is why there's a Seven Stars line. You should not feel guilty using it, just as you should not feel guilty for getting a nice room in the Augustus Tower with a great view of the Bellagio fountains, while many other guests are stuck in the awful Roman Tower. You get the better room because you earned it, and the people in the Roman Tower did not.

I agree it feels a little bit weird to walk through a priority line while the people waiting an hour in the regular line glare at you, but honestly you paid for the privilege and should not feel bad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Alan, if it's a short line and there are a few elderly people waiting to be seated (or, alternately, a family with young children), I can understand letting them go ahead even though your Seven Stars allows you to go first.

However, when dealing with a huge line like at Bacchanal (with hundreds of people), you are not allowed to pick and choose who gets to go ahead and who has to stay in the regular line. So the choice is either wait an hour or use the priority Seven Stars line.

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There is another choice: go somewhere else.

Here's a practical reason to go somewhere else: if the buffet is that crowded so that there is a long line, do you really want to be at the buffet then?

BTW, to be honest, most of the other on-site perks are unexciting for Diamond and Seven Stars.

Some people like the Diamond Lounges, but I find that most of them have lousy "appetizer" type food, and the hours of these lounges are quite short. I also can't utilize them when with my family, as my young son cannot go in. I suppose the free drinks are nice, but I don't drink alcohol, so that doesn't excite me.

The "priority valet" is a sham, from what I've seen. I generally don't like valet and avoid it (even when free), but the few times I've used it, my "priority" car took about as long as everyone else's. I think they are just parked in some kind of priority area, but if that's busy (such as a lot of other Seven Stars and Diamonds using it), then it takes quite a long time. I waited 20 minutes for my "priority" valet car return at the Rio a few months ago.

The free show tickets are okay. They are for the lower-tier shows, and are a pain in the ass to redeem. You have to go to Total Rewards to get the voucher, and then take the voucher to the specific box office of that show. BTW, Penn and Teller usually IS included, even though it's not listed. FAB, you should ask about that next time you're in Vegas. That's the best one available. I did use the free tickets to go on the High Roller and the Eiffel Tower.

What does extension 484 do? How is it any different than the normal "Guest Services" on the phone, which also will help you 24 hours a day?

So the priority lines are honestly the best Seven Stars "on site" benefit. The best Seven Stars OVERALL benefit is the free rooms at all CET properties.

I will say that having a Seven Stars card is often helpful when you want them to make exceptions to a stupid policy. Here is an example:

Last year I went to the Cypress Marketplace Food Court at Caesars, and wanted a whole pizza from the pizza place. They sell a whole pizza for like $26, as well as slices for $6/slice, with there being 6 slices per pie. So if you want 5 or 6 slices, you are best off getting the whole pizza.

Anyway, I walked up and there was nobody in line, and nobody waiting for food. I asked for the whole pepperoni pizza, which was sitting intact right in the window. The woman said, "That will be 20 minutes."

I asked, "What?! I see the pizza right there. What could possibly take 20 minutes?"

She said, "That pizza is for selling slices."

I reasoned with her that there was nobody else waiting for a slice. She countered that someone could walk up at any moment and ask for one.

I then asked, "Let's say I wanted to buy 6 individual slices. Would you sell them to me right now?"

She said, "Yes."

So I replied, "Then it's not about making these slices available for other customers. It's about money. You either want me to wait 20 minutes for a separate pizza to be made, or pay the per-slice price and spend $10 more."

She stammered, "Well, umm.... these are slices, and.. ummm... well, that's our policy, and ... umm..."

Nowhere on the menu did it say that purchasing a "whole pizza" would require waiting for a SECOND pizza to be made. I then pulled out my Seven Stars card and said I was very unhappy about this, and that I wanted to speak to the manager. She called the manager, told him I was Seven Stars, and he agreed to let me buy the pizza in the window for the $26.

So little things like this, they will usually make an exception if you whip out the Seven Stars card and express that you're unhappy.

CET employees are also told to treat the Seven Stars well. If you are ever abused by an employee, showing that you're Seven Stars will also get your complaint taken more seriously. Honestly they shouldn't do that (and should take ALL rude employee complaints equally seriously), but that's a reality.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

There is another choice: go somewhere else.

Here's a practical reason to go somewhere else: if the buffet is that crowded so that there is a long line, do you really want to be at the buffet then?

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I thought about that, but I decided that yes, I did.

The reason the line is so long is because they control the crowd. They don't want people to have an unpleasant, super-crowded experience at a buffet where they just paid $54 per head.

I'll be honest, it was still somewhat crowded inside, but it wasn't all that bad, and just required waiting a few minutes to get the more popular items.

I can't believe you are advocating going somewhere else instead of simply using the priority line where you've earned access.

Also keep in mind that the others in the regular line would GLADLY "cut" in front of you in a priority line if given the access.

FAB - last year I asked about Penn and Teller not being on the list and was told that you can get tix but they go very quickly so they just don't list them anymore so that they don't have to keep telling people there are none left. So just ask very early in your trip before they are gone.

Thanks Chimp. That's good info.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chimp

FAB - last year I asked about Penn and Teller not being on the list and was told that you can get tix but they go very quickly so they just don't list them anymore so that they don't have to keep telling people there are none left. So just ask very early in your trip before they are gone.

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Yes thank you Chimp. I will try to get a free ticket for Penn and Teller and report on how it went.

Regards FAB

Another way to look at the priority lines is that you have spent more at the properties. Because you spent more for basically the same service (gambling), you have subsidized the experience for others that aren't willing to spend as much. In that respect I think it is fair for you to use a priority line. I don't begrudge users of priority lines. I know that because of them I am paying less. And in vegas that applies to everything.

When someone books a first class ticket on a plane they pay way MORE than economy. As a result my flight is cheaper and they get better service. I don't have problem with that. I wish I didn't have to pay extra to get exit row seats for my long legs now, but I'd rather pay a few bucks than have my knees mashed up against the seat in front of me and see some short person get the exit row for free. It is painful hardship for me to sit in a regular seat at 6'4".

I was raised to open doors for others and to politely wait my turn as well. If I arrive in a line at the same time as someone else I will usually tell them to go first. These little things mark all our lives nicer.