Drive/Fly to Las Vegas for Seven Stars Retreat (Nov/Dec 2017), get $1,200.00 RCs

[FABismonte]

Was in Vegas this past weekend. Was fairly crowded, but I think that was because of the holiday weekend and also a marathon on Sunday.

I had already had reservations before finding out about this new deal. I emailed my host a few days before and she said she would try to apply it to my existing reservation, which included an offer. She was able to add my Aspirations trip. I went to the TR desk Friday night and the 75,000 RCs were in my account the next day. Took a few minutes for the guy to figure out how to do it, but no issues.
I am planning on doing my 7stars trip in Dec to get those RCs.

Hi Chimp:

Thanks for the information. I will be in Vegas this weekend for the 7 Stars trip on this "Flash Offer." What will you do with all those Reward Credits? Convert to Free Play, spend or stash them?

FAB

[FABismonte]

I have Vegas as my dominant property, but my Vegas host said he booked this flash offer for me to use next week. I can couple it with a $500 free play offer. I will be traveling alone given the short notice. Maybe Vegas tourism was so hurt by the MandslayBay shooting that CET just decided to waive the Annual Retreat rule that you cannot use it for your home market.

Would love to hear a trip report, FAB! Hope they set-up your folio credit correctly and the Reward Credits hit your TR account within 72 hours as stated!

Hi Nerakil:

I will tell the forum how it goes as I plan to visit this weekend on this flash offer. I hope the Reward Credits hit my account prior to 72 hours (like Chimp) as I will be checking in on Friday and out Sunday. Otherwise, I will have to use the Reward Credits on another trip.

FAB

[Chimp]

FAB - I will use my RCs for freeplay. Probably won’t last too long since I tend to be a bit reckless when using freeplay. Lol

Have a great trip. Looking forward to hearing about it.

Btw...although not a CET casino, I have played at the Mirage on my last two trips. Didn’t leave with a profit, but my $ seems to last longer there.

[RS__]

FAB - I will use my RCs for freeplay. Probably won’t last too long since I tend to be a bit reckless when using freeplay. Lol

Have a great trip. Looking forward to hearing about it.

Btw...although not a CET casino, I have played at the Mirage on my last two trips. Didn’t leave with a profit, but my $ seems to last longer there.

Typically, CET properties have worse games (higher house edge) but also offer better rewards, whereas MGM properties have better games (lower house edge) but offer worse rewards. Rewards being stuff like free-play, mailers, etc. Although, you likely wouldn't be able to notice such a difference with a short amount of time playing, due to the volatility of the games.


Glad y'all have confirmed you can bill-to-room from a property you aren't staying at. I rarely eat on the strip except when I have free food credits (which is rare).

[FABismonte]

Hi Gang:

I promised a report since last weekend I went to Vegas alone to use the Seven Stars “Flash Offer” of 120,000 in Reward Credits in lieu of transportation. I bought a ticket for a VERY late and cheap flight to Vegas on Friday evening/Sat morning. But since I have “A-List” status on Southwest I was able to go on priority standby on an earlier Friday flight at 9:30 PM for no extra charge. The airline gate staff pessimistically told me that I was # 4 out of 11 standbys on totally full flight but I tried my luck and caught the last seat after a few no-shows. The gate check woman noted I was the last passenger and hoped my luck would hold out in Vegas.

My host had previously offered to arrange for a limo since it was part of the Annual Retreat but I declined it as I needed a rental car to go to M Resort and also wanted to stop by downtown – both for free play offers. The line for the rental car shuttle at McCarran airport was surprisingly long and took 20 minutes of waiting. Even though parking is no longer free, the parking structure at the Flamingo on a Friday night is still a madhouse and I spent 10 minutes cruising for a spot.

I stayed at the Flamingo as I had a $500 Free Play offer I could use on top of my Seven Stars Annual Retreat. The free play offer was NOT available if I stayed at any other CET hotel on the Strip. Besides, while I like Ceasars Palace I really did not care as I was alone. At check-in, I was told that I was set up with a $500 folio I could use for foot or spas I was pleasantly surprised that I was upgraded to a Cosmopolitan Suite in the Flamingo. The place was spacious and I liked the TV embedded in the bathroom mirror. Here are some photos of the room.

[FABismonte]

I then started a free daily movie but nodded off to sleep. On Saturday morning I then stopped by the Total Rewards desk at the Flamingo when it opened and asked them to active my 120,000 Reward Credit offer based on this trip. I was told by Sheila the attendant (from Elk Grove, CA) that she made the request and said I should have the credits the next day. This surprised me as I know the offer said “within 72 hours” but I would not complain. Sheila also looked up my account and said on Sunday I could avail of the $500 free play. That was consistent with my understanding.

She also told me that the free Diamond Show I really wanted to use that day – the WOW Show at the Rio had no more availability. So I chose one ticket for the Bronx Wanderers at Bally at 6:00 PM and one ticket for Tenors of Rock at 8:00 PM at Harrahs. This morning I was hoping to get a bite to eat at the Flamingo coffee shop but to my surprise it was closed. So instead I charged $27 to the room folio for the Flamingo buffet – which was totally underwhelming. I won’t make that mistake again. BTW, I saw signs that the Buffet of Buffets (24 hour) offer is being offered. I thought that was discontinued.

[FABismonte]

After I ate, I got into my car and drove to M Resort and turned my wife’s $35 free play into $20. You can see those pics on my M Resort thread. I then drove to the Rio to try to put some points on the only decent full pay video poker at a CET casino in Vegas – at the infamous Rio. I actually enjoyed the video poker as I broke even after about an hour and was able to also watch some football games in the nearby TV screens while playing. I made five football bets for the same amount per ticket over the weekend and won a net $70 (after the vig) on my sport bets.

That afternoon I had a 80 minute massage at the Flamingo spa. It was not nearly as luxurious as the Quao Spa at Ceasars but a massage was cheaper there and I like by masseuse and she deserved a nice tip. Seven Stars had a 25% discount so I charged $154 (or so) against my folio for that.

I then caught some football games then went to the Flamingo diamond lounge around 5 PM and to my joy found that they were serving orange chicken and fried rice! Beats chicken wings to me. I grabbed a few drinks and food to tied me over until after the 8:00 PM show.

I enjoyed the Bronx Wanderers show very much then sped off to Harrah’s in time to catch the Tenors of Rock. I did not love it as much – maybe I was all musicked out by then. I then headed off to Homestead Steakhouse where I pigged out. I started off with Oysters Rockefeller, then lobster bisque, then Japanese Waygu beef with a large lobster tail. The bill was around $320.

[FABismonte]

I then played some craps at Flamingo making some money including the Small side bet before heading off to bed. The next morning, Sunday, I stopped by the front desk to verify how much of the $500 folio I had left and was told that I had gone through $503 in charges. I had her apply $3 from my play so make sure I had a zero balance.

I then drove to El Cortez where I had a $200 Free play offer which did not require a hotel stay. I played some at their outstanding single deck 3-2 blackjack game making some money, then promptly lost money at video poker. I made some more football bets at the sportsbook there (run by Stations casino) watch a bit and turned the $200 in free play into $160. I also took a shot at a $1 Top Dollar machine and won $110 and some money on the Texas Tea game. I then ate the outstanding liver and onions at Seigal’s restaurant there. When I left I took $164 more than I arrived with.

I was leaving later that early evening and I did not want to wrestle with the Flamingo parking structure so I just parked at the Ceasars Augustus valet area on Flamingo street – I had to show my 7 Stars Card. I then walked to the Flamingo where I found that my 120,000 Reward Credits did not show up. I saw Sheila again there and she talked to her supervisor Tom who said that it was 72 hours to get the credits and that someone at Special Events dept needs to personally approve it. I could not complain since the written offer did say 72 hours. I then pulled my $500 in free play for the Flamingo offer and stuck a $100 voucher into a Bubble Craps machine – before I say a sign that said “Free play cannot be redeemed at this machine at this time.” Opps. But I did get $100 in credit. But I could not cash out in the middle of a roll. Eventually I did get $85 out. I was tempted to stick in another $100 voucher and play pass line and Don’t pass simultaneously but was afraid of not getting my money given the written warning as to free play.

So instead I took the balance of my $400 to the Flamingo High Limit area and played triple and 5 play 7/5 Bonus poker. I promptly took a big nose dive and after only a little bit of play was wiped out. Ouch. I then played some craps where at least my money lasted for a while.

I then decided to try to go out with a bang as my departure time approached. So I play $5 single line 7/5 Bonus Poker. I put in $100, made some, then lost. Then I stuck in another Benjamin and lost that right away. I then frankly started steaming. I put in a total of 4 $100 bills and got to zero. I then put in $25 – only enough for one hand, and started a long slow climb. Eventually I was see-sawing around $350 -$370 in credits – just on the negative side for this last session. I then held a pair of fours and saw this beautiful hit:

[FABismonte]

I immediately cashed out and headed up the room to pack and leave. That $1000 hit meant I swung from a $200 loss to a $800 win for the trip.

I walked back to Ceasars, picked up the car – easy to get to the highway from that location. And flew home. I did not accumulate a lot of points this trip, but I was already Seven Stars for this year and the way the CET system works, there is hardly any benefit for play beyond that for this year. I hope my host is not upset but I just did not feel like a lot of gambling.

However, I had been looking at my online Total Rewards account and as of Weds I still do not see that promised 120,000 Reward Credits. It has been more than 72 hours. So I logged on and sent an email complaining to Total Rewards. If there is no action, I will contact my host – who may not be excited about my lack of action this trip. I will keep you guys apprised.

BTW, now that I posted the report, it looks like I added to the wrong thread. Oh well.

FAB

[Chimp]

Nice report FAB. And nice last-minute hit!!!

I’m really surprised that you didn’t get your RCs yet. As I mentioned in the other thread, I received mine (for Aspirations trip) the next day. I’ll be going on my 7stars trip two weekends from now and hoping the RCs show up quickly as I plan on using them for freeplay.

Keep us informed on your RCs.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

[FABismonte]

Hi Chimp:

Thanks for the good wishes. Rest assured I will not stop following up on the promised Reward Credits and have the paper trail to prove it.

If you are going to Vegas on that trip, I suggest that you make a beeline to the Total Reward desk to start the clock running. I had to wait until Sat morning and I wonder if the relevant persons were off for the weekend. Please report on how your trip went. BTW, to the extent you want to watch the WOW show at the Rio through the free Diamond Show, I suggest you book those as soon as you can.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

FAB

[FABismonte]

Well, I finally got my 120,000 Reward Credits - about 5 days after I made the request. See below. I guess it is another thing to be THANKFUL today.

[nerakil]

Thanks for the update, counselor! I'm glad it was resolved in the end. Also, a nice mention on podcast Episode #141 today!

[Dan Druff]

Great report, FAB.

I moved the posts to this thread, which is where you meant to post it.

I wish I still had my trip for 2017 remaining, so I could do this.

[FABismonte]

Hi Dan:

Thanks for migrating my posts.

Chimp used this for her Aspirations 2 flight of $750. Did you use that trip too yet?

FAB

[FABismonte]

Thanks for the update, counselor! I'm glad it was resolved in the end. Also, a nice mention on podcast Episode #141 today!

Hi Nerakil:

Even though I sent an email to the "Questions" box in the www.totalrewards.com website, my host said he spotted my question but since he knew it would just languish there, he forwarded it to a Total Rewards manager who fixed the problem and got my 120,000 reward credits. So I was not able to avoid getting my host involved after all.

FAB

[Dan Druff]

Hi Dan:

Thanks for migrating my posts.

Chimp used this for her Aspirations 2 flight of $750. Did you use that trip too yet?

FAB

Wow, no I haven't.

I wonder if I can use this for a trip during New Years.

Are there any blackout dates?

[simmoja3]

Hi everyone! First post here

I just switched my play to CET from MLife (for a whole host of reasons!), qualified for Aspirations 2 a few weeks ago and — presuming I don’t get turned down for an “invite”, 7* once daily bonuses post tomorrow and however long it takes to process. This means I’ve got both the Aspirations 2 trip and 2017 retreat to use, and would LOVE to take advantage of this offer.

I didn’t get the original email (wasn’t eligible for the trips when it went out), no one I’ve talked to at Tahoe seems to know anything about it, and what haven’t been assigned a host yet. Would someone be willing to forward me the email(s) on this? I understand there was an original one for the annual retreat and a recent one that added the Aspirations 2 trip as well. If you could email it my way, I’d be eternally grateful!!

[FABismonte]

Hi Sim

I sent you a Private Message

FAB

[Alan Mendelson]

Hi everyone! First post here

I just switched my play to CET from MLife (for a whole host of reasons!), qualified for Aspirations 2 a few weeks ago and — presuming I don’t get turned down for an “invite”, 7* once daily bonuses post tomorrow and however long it takes to process. This means I’ve got both the Aspirations 2 trip and 2017 retreat to use, and would LOVE to take advantage of this offer.

I didn’t get the original email (wasn’t eligible for the trips when it went out), no one I’ve talked to at Tahoe seems to know anything about it, and what haven’t been assigned a host yet. Would someone be willing to forward me the email(s) on this? I understand there was an original one for the annual retreat and a recent one that added the Aspirations 2 trip as well. If you could email it my way, I’d be eternally grateful!!

Hi and welcome. Unless you have a problem with CET that makes you undesirable you will be a Seven Stars player. That talk about invitations is all marketing hype. As long as you get your 150,000 tier points you're in.

Check your TR profile on the totalrewards.com website. It will show when you have been made Seven Stars.

Once it shows, call the hosts' office at the property where you did most of your play and ask to find out who your host is. The way I understand it, everyone has a host. But the hosts are so overwhelmed they rarely call out -- because so many players are calling in.