Have any of you attempted to get the $500 in RCs in exchange for the annual trip, since it was introduced and then removed?

[Dan Druff]

Who remembers the ill-fated $500 RC offer for 2016 Seven Stars, which one was able to choose in lieu of the annual trip?

This was actually listed in the official 2016 rules for the Seven Stars program, and a few people (I think Alan was one of them) took advantage of it.

Simply put, you could choose to give up your annual trip and receive $500 in RCs instead.

For about two months starting February 1, 2016, this was an option.

Then it vanished. It disappeared from the Seven Stars rulebook, and all Total Rewards employees were instructed to pretend it never existed.

I have heard from a source that it was removed for two reasons:

1) Certain properties (the ones most commonly chosen as destinations, such as Tahoe and New Orleans) were unhappy about it, as they tended to make money from those taking these trips, even after the $500 food credit.

2) Some players complained about it, accusing CET of intentionally giving a poor substitute, as a package including $1200 airfare, an airport limo, and $500 food credit became simply $500 RCs.

So it was removed.

I am unlikely to be able to use my annual trip this year, since I only have until January 31 (unlike prior years when we had 'til June 30, giving us the whole spring!)

I am probably going to ask if they can make an exception and give me the $500 RCs (since other Seven Stars got it, who asked earlier in the year), but I will probably be turned down.

Have any of you tried this? Were you successful?

[Alan Mendelson]

I made the exchange as soon as it was announced. Personally I doubt they would make the exchange now that the rules have changed.

[Dan Druff]

I asked this question because it came up during my Rincon trip.

I was discussing this situation with another Seven Stars member I met there (not someone from this forum), and they told me that their host was able to swing the $500 RCs for them in lieu of their annual trip. I asked when this occurred, and this person told me "about 2 months ago", meaning it was well after the April date when this changed.

This person's dominant property was Rincon, btw.

I have a theory about this.

Rincon is not owned by Caesars. It is owned by the Indian tribe, and simply managed by Caesars.

I believe that the annual trip is "paid" for by the dominant property of the Seven Stars member. Usually this is not consequential, as it's ultimately the Caesars corporation paying for it, regardless of which property actually foots the bill. However, in Rincon's case, they are coughing up $1200 out of their own pockets for airfare (plus the $500 for food credits). So that's a real $1700 out of their pockets. Perhaps they are much more willing to substitute that for a $500 RC exchange, as it's much cheaper for them.

Bottom line: If your dominant property is owned by Indians (Ak-Chin, Cherokee, Rincon, etc), you might have a better shot being successful with this.

[Alan Mendelson]

I'm going to guess that this player spends a lot of money at Rincon and the host did him a favor because that's what hosts do for big players. Some big players get $5000 in comps without giving up annual trips. So giving a good player $500 and taking away their annual trip seems insignificant.

[Dan Druff]

I'm going to guess that this player spends a lot of money at Rincon and the host did him a favor because that's what hosts do for big players. Some big players get $5000 in comps without giving up annual trips. So giving a good player $500 and taking away their annual trip seems insignificant.

I thought about that too. Could be that, or it could be the reason I guessed.

Anyway if your dominant property is Rincon or another Indian property, may as well take a shot at it if you're not using your annual trip.

Alan was smart to jump on it quickly. Wish I did.

[acescracked_1210]

I actually got the RC's too through my host in New Orleans. This was mid-July.

[JustaDiamind]

Seven Star insider is implying its still available..
quote"While it’s been an unpublished option available to hosts, if you can’t – or simply don’t want to – take your Annual Retreat, Total Rewards will add 50,000 Rewards Credits to your account. "

[Kduong]

Hello everyone:

Brand new member here but have been a visitor for about a year now.

The 50K RC option is still available at Caesars Windsor. At the casino last weekend, our executive host reminded us of the option to take the 50K RC if we won't be taking the annual trip by Jan deadline.

[Alan Mendelson]

Hello everyone:

Brand new member here but have been a visitor for about a year now.

The 50K RC option is still available at Caesars Windsor. At the casino last weekend, our executive host reminded us of the option to take the 50K RC if we won't be taking the annual trip by Jan deadline.

Thanks for joining and for posting. I think there are hosts who will pull strings.

[Dan Druff]

Seven Star insider is implying its still available..
quote"While it’s been an unpublished option available to hosts, if you can’t – or simply don’t want to – take your Annual Retreat, Total Rewards will add 50,000 Rewards Credits to your account. "

Interesting because I e-mailed the publisher of Seven Stars Insider last month, and he acknowledged that the $500 RCs trade-in was likely gone.

Maybe he's since found out differently.

[Alan Mendelson]

It doesn't hurt to call and ask. I've always had trouble calling the Total Rewards desk (phone never answered, have to leave a message) so I call my host. But if you are at a property, why not simply ask them at the desk?

[maxev]

My host mentioned that Caesars will still exchange the trip for $500 reward credits. She also mentioned that you can request first class/business (even with your companion) as long as the total is still under $1200. Same with the Diamond 2 $750 trip. But they aren't publicizing that, I'm guessing because they don't want people maxing their benefit.

max

[Alan Mendelson]

Is there a Rewards Credit option for the Diamond 2 trip??

[seemoreroyals]

My host mentioned that Caesars will still exchange the trip for $500 reward credits. She also mentioned that you can request first class/business (even with your companion) as long as the total is still under $1200. Same with the Diamond 2 $750 trip. But they aren't publicizing that, I'm guessing because they don't want people maxing their benefit.

max

That is correct about the first class. We were able to go first class on the way to Tahoe a couple of weeks ago and still just stay under the $1200. We have done this on three or four occasions the past several years.

[maxev]

Alan, I haven't heard of a Rewards Credit option for Diamond 2.

Another unpublished benefit -- you can actually take more than your companion with you. If four people can fly for under $1200, they'll still book it.


max

[acescracked_1210]

BUMP

Has anyone tried this yet this year? Anyone know if it still works?

[Dan Druff]

I redeemed it in late 2016.

I don't know if it's available in 2017.