New Rule For Vegas

[Nash]

My host in Vegas just told me that there is a new rule that came out January 1st that took her by surprise. You can no longer do two back to back events in one trip (whether soft cost or hard cost) unless you stay longer. So, for example if your free play says stay up to 5 nights and the next offer says a slot tournament, then you have to book the free play for 5 nights exactly before you can use the next offer. She said what they are doing is making people stay longer and play generally decreases after about the 4th night.

We were in Vegas for 6 nights over New Years and I was actually booked on two offers (Holiday Rewards & My monthly casino play) but looks like no more back to back offers if you only stay a few days.

[redietz]

Pardon my cynicism, but that sounds as if it were written by a host. I'll have to get a handbook of the "rules" at my local Barnes and Noble.

[Aaron]

I tried to book a 1 night trip to use my free play last weekend and was told I had to stay a minimum of 2 nights.

Looks like I might have to start calling in my checkout the day after I leave.

[Dan Druff]

My host in Vegas just told me that there is a new rule that came out January 1st that took her by surprise. You can no longer do two back to back events in one trip (whether soft cost or hard cost) unless you stay longer. So, for example if your free play says stay up to 5 nights and the next offer says a slot tournament, then you have to book the free play for 5 nights exactly before you can use the next offer. She said what they are doing is making people stay longer and play generally decreases after about the 4th night.

We were in Vegas for 6 nights over New Years and I was actually booked on two offers (Holiday Rewards & My monthly casino play) but looks like no more back to back offers if you only stay a few days.

You are half right.

This is a new rule as of 2013, not 2014.

I used to stay on back-to-back-to-back offers in 2012, which was technically against the rules, but very lightly enforced.

In early 2013 you could still somewhat get away with this, but by the spring, they were clamping down hard, and by summer it was impossible, at least for me.

I am very surprised you were allowed back-to-back offers during New Years. I think someone made a mistake. One of my friends, for example, had back-to-back offers in June 2013, and one was actually force-canceled on him (he didn't find out until the same day of the 2nd reservation) due to the rule violation being found after the booking was already in place.

I think you might be incorrect about the "have to stay all 5 days on a 5 day offer", though. From my understanding, at least in 2013, you had to simply be either not staying on-property for 48 hours, or paying to stay for those 48 hours, before redeeming another offer.

So what I would typically do is book an offer, stay somewhere else on a comp for 2 nights, and then re-check-in on the 2nd offer. This was completely allowed by their policy. Often I would immediately check out after redeeming my freebie on the 2nd reservation. I think this is still possible. You can always check out early (I know that for sure), but I am still pretty sure you can book a 2nd reservation as long as 48 hours will be passing between the two offers (and you're not staying on a comp in between).

[Dan Druff]

I tried to book a 1 night trip to use my free play last weekend and was told I had to stay a minimum of 2 nights.

Looks like I might have to start calling in my checkout the day after I leave.

You don't have to do that.

Just book it for 2 nights, then check out after 1.

They will never penalize you for it.

[Dan Druff]

BTW Nash, your registration on this forum was among about 30 spam registrations we get every day, which I manually review and only approve the real ones.

I almost accidentally deleted yours, but looked more carefully and saw you were real. Glad I did, as you have made some good posts here already.

The spam registrations are decreasing here, so hopefully they will go away soon and we can go back to a non-moderated-new-user format.

Right now, nobody new can post until I or Alan approve their account.

[Alan Mendelson]

I was always told that "offers" had to be separated by something like four days or a week. I've never had the opportunity to make long trips to Vegas, anyway. Usually I go for one or two nights.

When I book "offers" I always book for two nights but sometimes just check out in the evening of the second day which technically is the "second night."

I'm sure hotels such as Caesars Palace don't want to become "residence hotels" for non players.

[Dan Druff]

BTW these new hard-line rules are part of the ongoing effort by CET to fight "Seven Stars grinders" -- people who achieve Seven Stars (and sometimes just Diamond) by playing high-expectation games, and then redeem more value in comps than they lose in getting the status. They found that the freeplay offers were often being used as a reason for trips (without any further gambling), and that people would stay for long periods of time at CET properties without putting any money into their machines.

They are trying to put a stop to this.

[Dan Druff]

I was always told that "offers" had to be separated by something like four days or a week. I've never had the opportunity to make long trips to Vegas, anyway. Usually I go for one or two nights.

When I book "offers" I always book for two nights but sometimes just check out in the evening of the second day which technically is the "second night."

I'm sure hotels such as Caesars Palace don't want to become "residence hotels" for non players.

It has always been 48 hours, but only lightly enforced until recently (if you knew how to get around the light enforcement by going through the right channels).

[Alan Mendelson]

BTW these new hard-line rules are part of the ongoing effort by CET to fight "Seven Stars grinders"

Dan is probably right about this. The other "weapon" that they have is that they cut down on the free play offers.
A year ago I was getting $2500 free play and they cut me down to $850 for a while because I didn't play as much as they wanted. (I wonder if that fits Rob's "addict profile" or if he will have to come up with some different attack now?)

When I complained, they raised me back to $1,000 but there is no way they will return me to $2,500 per trip.

[Dan Druff]

Dan is probably right about this. The other "weapon" that they have is that they cut down on the free play offers.
A year ago I was getting $2500 free play and they cut me down to $850 for a while because I didn't play as much as they wanted. (I wonder if that fits Rob's "addict profile" or if he will have to come up with some different attack now?)

When I complained, they raised me back to $1,000 but there is no way they will return me to $2,500 per trip.

LOL I've never had $1,000. Best I've ever had was $550, and usually it was $300. That's why it was so important for me to combine offers.

They have really cut down freeplay offers, though.

[Aaron]

I have never been able to combine offers in Vegas. Last year in December they sent me a real rewards coupon for $350 that I was able to use while on a $550 free play trip. But that was the only time I have ever received the mailer coupon.

They recently increased me from the $550 to $750 on shopping, free play and GC offers.
I have been taking advantage of the increase and going quite a bit more. Someone a CET must know what they are doing.

[redietz]

Why do some people act as if CET is the only "gambling provider" in the known universe -- as reflected by the thread title, which evidently refers only to CET? First of all, compared to other properties now and historically, if I am to believe what I'm reading here, CET hosts are less empowered than hosts at any other property at any time. If that's correct, then why not go to a property/company whose hosts have some power? It's not like CET properties are top of the line anymore. I like Caesars Palace well enough, and stay at the rapidly-decrepitating Rio and Flamingo often enough, but rooms at the Orleans, for example, are as good as any standard rooms at any LV CET property except Caesars. Fifty years ago, if you were a reasonably high roller, this merit badge monitoring would have been interpreted by most players as insulting and intrusive. Now we've become anesthetized to the intrusive and fans of Boy Scout rankings. So are you Wolf, Bear, Lion, or Scout?

[Dan Druff]

I have never been able to combine offers in Vegas. Last year in December they sent me a real rewards coupon for $350 that I was able to use while on a $550 free play trip. But that was the only time I have ever received the mailer coupon.

They recently increased me from the $550 to $750 on shopping, free play and GC offers.
I have been taking advantage of the increase and going quite a bit more. Someone a CET must know what they are doing.

You can always combine the coupons with offers. In fact, you don't even have to stay there to use them.

[Dan Druff]

Why do some people act as if CET is the only "gambling provider" in the known universe -- as reflected by the thread title, which evidently refers only to CET? First of all, compared to other properties now and historically, if I am to believe what I'm reading here, CET hosts are less empowered than hosts at any other property at any time. If that's correct, then why not go to a property/company whose hosts have some power? It's not like CET properties are top of the line anymore. I like Caesars Palace well enough, and stay at the rapidly-decrepitating Rio and Flamingo often enough, but rooms at the Orleans, for example, are as good as any standard rooms at any LV CET property except Caesars. Fifty years ago, if you were a reasonably high roller, this merit badge monitoring would have been interpreted by most players as insulting and intrusive. Now we've become anesthetized to the intrusive and fans of Boy Scout rankings. So are you Wolf, Bear, Lion, or Scout?

I partially agree, but it's actually nice when you get guaranteed benefits and it isn't up to the fickle hosts to decide for you.

Just like it's nice to have RCs (which I know are now imitated at other properties) where you can bank them and be able to use the when you want.

[Aaron]

You can always combine the coupons with offers. In fact, you don't even have to stay there to use them.

Dan, that was the first coupon voucher I have received for Vegas in many years. Do you or Alan still get many of these?

[Nash]

Thank you Dan for the warm welcome.

[Alan Mendelson]

Dan, that was the first coupon voucher I have received for Vegas in many years. Do you or Alan still get many of these?

Funny you mention the coupons in the mail for free play... I just got my FIRST ever for Las Vegas in December. Got em for Tahoe and New Orleans before, but never Vegas.

[Alan Mendelson]

I partially agree, but it's actually nice when you get guaranteed benefits and it isn't up to the fickle hosts to decide for you.

BINGO... the one true benefit of the tier score/reward points system at Caesars. You don't have to be friends or buddies with anyone to get what you are entitled to. On the other hand, if you don't play and are not entitled begging won't do you much good.

[Rob.Singer]

Again, more proof that CET plays you people like a fiddle from the middle ages. Why is it that whenever casinos are discussed here it's almost exclusively CET properties? Has anyone ever heard of playing or staying at any of the far better places within your favorite gambling city? I know Alan drives the discussion truck here, but can't anyone think for themselves? You people are getting your assets beat by CET, you moan and groan over their never ending cutbacks, but you just can't get enuf! So foolish.....