Tips and advice for the Great Gift Wrap Up

[Alan Mendelson]

Checking out the gift cards again: there are gift cards for AMC Theaters (sometimes go), Gap Clothes (might be worthwhile for a limited purchase), Marshalls (I shop there a lot) and some other retailers where a modest amount spent on gift cards might be worthwhile. Unlike the specific retail items listed on the GGWU site I am assuming that gift cards used at stores like Gap can also be used to buy sale items?

[Dan Druff]

Checking out the gift cards again: there are gift cards for AMC Theaters (sometimes go), Gap Clothes (might be worthwhile for a limited purchase), Marshalls (I shop there a lot) and some other retailers where a modest amount spent on gift cards might be worthwhile. Unlike the specific retail items listed on the GGWU site I am assuming that gift cards used at stores like Gap can also be used to buy sale items?

Marshalls may be good if you shop there a lot.

I think AMC may not be worthwhile, as you can probably get discount tickets if you buy in advance. Gap would be good if you like their clothes and if the cards are ALWAYS good (even with discounts). In fact, you should make sure the Marshall's card is just as good as cash there, too.

I still think Shell gas cards are the best, since you always need gas, and Shell is everywhere in the west. The only problem is some Shells are expensive, but there is one pretty close to me that is unusually cheap for a Shell.

[Alan Mendelson]

I think AMC may not be worthwhile, as you can probably get discount tickets if you buy in advance.

I am under the impression that these gift cards can also be used to buy discounted tickets.

[Dan Druff]

Alan, I will not be going to the November GGWU. I will be waiting for December.

Can you please take a look there if they are offering the iPad Air (the new iPad), and how many points it is? Thanks.

[Perdition]

Did you decide to head to the Flamingo this weekend Alan or you going to stay at Rincon and build up for December instead?

[Alan Mendelson]

I am trying to go this weekend to Flamingo. I will have a report if I go about any new items or "rules" that I find out about. I am particularly interested in is the exchange rate for free play and what casinos the free play can be used in and what the expiration date is.

[sassycat]

Thanks Alan. I plan on going in December also so look forward and appreciate your comments on the event.

[Alan Mendelson]

By the way, there are other "offers" that also apply to the GGWU dates and they can be better. The GGWU offers basically cover the hotel room. But I have other offers for November and December that also are good on the GGWU dates that include restaurant credits plus free play. The offer I am using this coming weekend is for $400 restaurant credits plus $400 free play.

[Dan Druff]

By the way, there are other "offers" that also apply to the GGWU dates and they can be better. The GGWU offers basically cover the hotel room. But I have other offers for November and December that also are good on the GGWU dates that include restaurant credits plus free play. The offer I am using this coming weekend is for $400 restaurant credits plus $400 free play.

Wait, are you saying that I can go to the GGWU without being signed up on the GGWU offer? So I can use a freeplay offer that happens to coincide with the GGWU dates, and just show up for the GGWU anyway?

If so, I'm totally doing that. Please clarify.

[Alan Mendelson]

Of course you can go without using the GGWU offer and use another offer instead. I have nine different offers during the GGWU dates.

[Dan Druff]

Of course you can go without using the GGWU offer and use another offer instead. I have nine different offers during the GGWU dates.

Wow, I had the erroneous idea that you had to stay on a GGWU offer to be signed up for it.

So you just basically have to show up for the GGWU, and it doesn't matter where you stay or what offer you use?

[Alan Mendelson]

You don't even need to be a registered guest. In years past I have driven up to LV, went shopping at the event, got in my car and drove home without even making a single bet. Yes, Rob Singer.... without making even a single bet.

[Dan Druff]

Alan, if you could post the following here after going to the GGWU, I would be grateful:

1) Is there an iPad Air available, and how many points is it? And does it come with a case? (Last year's iPad 4 did!)

2) How many points per $100 of freeplay (or whatever increments you buy it)?

3) How many points per $10 gas card?

4) Did there appear to any other items with a value of better than 3 points to a penny?

[Rob.Singer]

You don't even need to be a registered guest. In years past I have driven up to LV, went shopping at the event, got in my car and drove home without even making a single bet. Yes, Rob Singer.... without making even a single bet.

I've done the same multiple times, but you never saw me get all giddy over any of it, and ask for meaningless questions to be answered when all it takes is a winning strategy be followed to save oneself the embarrassment of identifying how such trivial items cannot be afforded. Once again, we see how CET absolutely OWNS 7-Stars "oh so special" players. And this GGWU? Guess how much probably ALL of you are really paying for all that junk. But this IS entertaining...watching you all wear your W2G's and overall loss statements on your sleeves.

[redietz]

If I had to bet on it, I'd say he won the money. I don't think GT would have given him a complete pass on that for all of those years.

For all the things I don't like about Rob -- the anti-math systems, the tone when people died, and the recent Asian crack, I think he pretty much nailed the merit badge nonsense of the various slot club systems. I take advantage of every slot club offer, but I'm disciplined as hell and have been doing this for 35 years. Most people, I suspect, have no way of separating the scouting badges from the gambling, which is the raison detre of the slot clubs.

I have no real idea why Rob goes after Arci the way he does -- what he has said about Arci was magnitudes worse than his criticisms of Alan's gambling.