7 Stars Question (I guess intended for Alan)

[JamieV]

7 Stars members with Caesars

I have some general questions for you guys if you don't mind answering them?

-When using the Total Rewards website, are you offered comped suites?
- Is every day on the calender comped?
-Can you explain your yearly free trip
-What is the 7 Star reward dinner like?

Thanks for the answers guys...being a low roller myself (30,00-50,000) tier credits annually, I always wondered if I should go for 7-Star...thanks!

[Alan Mendelson]

Supposedly we always get free rooms with at least 48 hours notice, but I've called during the drive up and a free room was waiting. Suites? Never asked. The annual trip includes airfare to any of the properties in the country, but I never took one. The 7 Star dinner is a $500 credit that you can use anytime, and I've used this. It's not hard to spend $500 on three or four people at one of the upscale restaurants. One year I used the $500 credit towards taking the family (about a dozen of us) to Nero's for Thanksgiving (and the tab was much more).

There is no reason to "go for 7Stars" because the differences between 7 Stars and Diamond are actually few and not worth the inevitable "losses." But if you happen to win and get there, great. This year I made 7 Stars with smaller losses because I was playing 8/5 Bonus and not 9/5 DDB as in previous years.

[JamieV]

Hey great stuff Alan! I guess when I see 7 Star players I am a little awe struck because I feel like I play quite a bit and am nowhere near that "level." I am glad to know that I am not missing out on too much extra goodies. Thanks for reassurance!

[Alan Mendelson]

Actually the dollar value (if there is such a thing) between diamond and 7 stars is small. The ego value is huge, however for those who care.

[Vegas Vic]

Actually the dollar value (if there is such a thing) between diamond and 7 stars is small. The ego value is huge, however for those who care.

Don't be so sure, Alan. I think that the 7 stars category might get you a free morning coffee at the Java Coast courtesy of your Host.

[Alan Mendelson]

Don't be so sure, Alan. I think that the 7 stars category might get you a free morning coffee at the Java Coast courtesy of your Host.

I'll tell you what it has gotten me in the past: Several times I've gotten a call from a manager asking if they could take me out to dinner to discuss "things." Several times over the years I've had dinner with some of the top execs at Caesars to discuss the casino, hotel, etc. Yes, we went to Neros, and actually had a good discussion. I even brought up video poker paytables but there was no reaction. I thought they cared more about hotel operations than actual gaming. Of course there is nothing wrong with that because hotel operations is probably just as important if not more important than gaming.

one more perk: the "annual gift." usually a small electronic device with a value of about $200. You usually get a choice of four. One year I chose a Flip camera, another year a Garmin, another year my wife picked something because there was nothing I wanted.

[Alan Mendelson]

Personally, I resent the "caste system" that they have at all of the Harrah's/Caesars properties. 7 stars lines, diamond lines, and everybody else.

I've been in the 7 Stars lines many times and see an old couple (make that "older") in the "everybody else" line and let them go ahead of me. And I say "I have more time than they do."

At restaurants they should have two lines -- with a reservation or no reservation. 7 Stars people should not have the right to just "cut in."

However, a couple of years ago when Neros was opened, the hostess did block a pushy 7 Stars player from Atlantic City who demanded to be seated immediately. We were there waiting for our reservation time, and he shows me his 7 stars card and says "this would never happen in AC." So I show him my card and say "here in Vegas, there are so many 7 Stars you can create your own galaxy." In other words, they're (we're) not so special.

And I usually check in during the middle of the night, when the 7 Stars check in is not open, and there are no lines to check in. I check out from my room on the phone so I wouldn't have to fight the lines anyway even if I weren't 7 Stars.

Being 7 Stars is like paying $5,000 more for the same car with gold emblems instead of silver emblems.

[Spock]

Personally, I resent the "caste system" that they have at all of the Harrah's/Caesars properties. 7 stars lines, diamond lines, and everybody else.

So do I, which is one reason I've never had a card from them and play very little at their properties. Harrah's thinks its a win-win situation for them: upgraded card holders feel "special" so they play more to retain their status and the wannabe's see that if they just play a little more they too can get all sorts of special perks. What they fail to see is the people that get pissed off at long waits and sub-par treatment and vow to never give them another dime of play.

[Alan Mendelson]

One of our "math experts" should really be the one to comment on the advantage or disadvantage toward playing for a higher tier level. It's similar to the idea of playing for comps.

What's the first rule we learn? It's bad to play for comps. Well, it's also bad to play to the next "tier level." I think that you should play as you normally do, and if you happen to get to a certain tier level than take it as a fringe benefit. As if they gave you a free night in the hotel if you hit a royal... that kind of fringe.

I really would never advise anyone to play or "go for" a certain tier level just as I wouldn't tell them to play an extra $100 so they could get a casino sweatshirt. Being realistic, what's worth more the $100 in your pocket or the sweatshirt?

[Vegas Vic]

So do I, which is one reason I've never had a card from them and play very little at their properties. Harrah's thinks its a win-win situation for them: upgraded card holders feel "special" so they play more to retain their status and the wannabe's see that if they just play a little more they too can get all sorts of special perks. What they fail to see is the people that get pissed off at long waits and sub-par treatment and vow to never give them another dime of play.

Long waits and sub-par treatment can occur at any player's card level. A more important issue is the overall management of the property. Proper staffing and training will eliminate those negative situations. Sure, getting quick entrance into the restaurant or buffet is a treat, and having done that, I know that I've experienced the whole range of good-to-bad service regardless of how I entered.

Just curious: which player's cards do you utilize, if not Caesars? They all have a system of ranking their members with appropriate benefits allocated.