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Thread: Seven Stars Annual Retreat Experiences?

  1. #21
    well lets see..
    if your flights exceed the $750 allotment you can control how much extra you are paying by booking it yourself, last year I ended up having to cover an extra $100 for a trip because my host / passport took their time booking the flights and the day they did it the flights went up $50 ea, the day before and the day after it was cheaper..
    plus you can get double points on your credit card for travel.. lol

    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Why would you want to do that, when Passport will do it for you AND pay for it on the spot?
    JustaDiamind is now justa-seven-star..

  2. #22
    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Why would you want to do that, when Passport will do it for you AND pay for it on the spot?
    I'm just in the processs of booking my Diamond Aspiration 2 flights. I would prefer to book it myself and then be reimbursed for it.
    I have a promo code that gives me a discount on the flight (for 2 people). Passport is not able to use the code.

    Hosts can now book with Orbitz directly, without going through Passport.

  3. #23
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    Chimp I miss seeing you at Rincon. Don't leave the forum!
    Miss you too Alan. 😉

  4. #24
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    Originally Posted by FABismonte View Post
    For people who have earned Seven Stars through CET's total rewards last year, they have up to March 31, 2016 to use their Annual retreat. Given the fact that it is mid-February and it is "use it or lose it" I chose a flight to New Orleans for my wife and I. There is a Seven Stars budget of $1,200 and I contacted my host today after searching for flights within that budget.

    I was fully expecting to not hear from him for a week or so and was concerned given that the Total Rewards website states that I should give 30 days notice for a flight booking. But to my surprise, a few hours later, I got my flight confirmation to New Orleans. As you can see below, I have a total of 8 cents left unused. Talk about getting my money's worth.

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    I recall seeing somewhere that CET hosts had a work around so that they did not need to use Passport travel for every booking and I think the fact that there was no overage allowed that in this case.

    Going forward Seven Stars members have to use the retreat by January 31 which is bad as I am not excited about traveling to wintery locations (I already live in California, drive to Tahoe regularly, and Vegas is my home casino location).

    My wife and I enjoy going to Harrah's New Orleans. Not only is that city fun, but the $500 folio is provided in 50,000 reward credits which is quite flexible. I was toying with visiting Ceasars Windsor in Canada but it is still a bit chilly for me, even in March. I was also thinking about Ak-Chin near Phoenix but it looks a bit isolated from the city and has no spa. Does anyone else have experience in using Seven Stars Retreats in locations other than New Orleans and if you have a $500 folio did you have any success using it for something other than food? I would like the option to apply it for a massage.

    FAB
    FAB

    Just got back from New Orleans last Wednesday. We went for Mardi Gras with 4 other couples we know from Rincon. I used my 7 stars trip but booked it back in early October. I actually found the flights myself on Southwest and gave the information to my host at Rincon. Harrah's New Orleans was sold out so we had to stay at The La Meridien hotel across from the casino.

    We were not happy with the accommodations. The room was about the size of a cruise ship room and the bathroom was so small you could not close the shower door and the main door at the same time. Asked for "DO NOT DISTURB" sign but it never came so I made my own. Housekeeping service was very bad too having to call every day to get our room cleaned and one time it was well after 5 PM.

    They applied my $500.00 folio to my RC'S and I ended up cashing it out into free play and converting it to $1100.00 cash by the end of the first day. Lost it all over the next few days but made it back plus another $500.00 on the dollar and penny slots the night before we left. Davo pretty much played the dream card nickle poker machine the entire time. He got a few nice hands dealt to him but it allowed him to play a long time without losing too much. I will say the casino is very clean (no smoking allowed). They have designated areas just outside the doors to smoke. Lots of younger people going to the bar there. Security cards you at the doors. Lines to get in are sometimes long because of this. Sometimes they just flagged us through.

    Our group had several encounters with nasty employees at the casino. Beverage service was very slow. You can order drinks from the machine like you can at Rincon. You don't even see a lot of cocktail servers or slot techs on the floor. The Diamond Lounge was okay. There isn't a buffet of appetizers like there is at other CET properties. You can order off a small menu but in the 5 days we were there the menu never changed. One day we had a nasty server who disputed the number of drinks we had ordered per card. You can order up to 8 drinks per 7 star or diamond card. It wouldn't have mattered if we gave her another card. The fact is she should not have argued with us. When we spoke to the hostess about her she sent in a VIP person to try and smooth things. They ended up giving us a $200.00 voucher to use in buffet. $200.00 for 10 people and they wanted us to pay an 18 % gratuity if all 10 of us sat at the same table. Davo and I opted out and had burgers at Fuddruckers.

    Those were the bad parts of the trip but we did have fun too. Went to Bourbon Street and French Quarter. The floats came all the way up to our hotel which was nice and the last night we were there we booked the Harrah's balcony on Bourbon Street. The flights were good. Leaving San Diego was delayed but the pilot made it up and we were only 15 minutes late getting there. Our flight coming home was on time. Limo service from airport in New Orleans to the hotel and back was good.
    Came home with a suitcase full of beads.

  5. #25
    Originally Posted by Chimp View Post
    Fab, how were you able to book to Baltimore? Aren't you required to stay (for at least two days) at a CET property? And since there is no hotel at the Baltimore casino it is not on the list of allowable destinations.
    I have a brother in the DC area and wanted to do the same thing but wasn't able to.
    Hi Chimp:

    Nice to hear from you. I miss your jackpot photos.

    CET Baltimore does not have an attached hotel but it does have a deal with the Sheraton to house guests. I went on the Total Rewards website and drilled down to properties then the hyperlink to Horseshoe Baltimore. You can then seek room reservations. Here is a URL: https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-ba...675.1454459490

    You may not see any available rooms unless you sign in. Then depending on the action you have provided CET, you can see the rooms available to you. You need to have a room booked to get a flight as it is necessary to input that reservation code. Presumably, a high roller like you could also just ask your host for help.

    I do hope you can see your brother. We timed our trip so we can hopefully see the cherry blossoms near the DC mall.

    FAB

  6. #26
    Hi Nash:

    Glad you made some money at the Big Easy and had some fun too. I trust you did not have to do anything special to "earn" those beads.

    Can you tell me more about this Harrah's balcony? I do not know how access works and if you think it was worth the effort.

    FAB

  7. #27
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    Originally Posted by FABismonte View Post
    Hi Nash:

    Glad you made some money at the Big Easy and had some fun too. I trust you did not have to do anything special to "earn" those beads.

    Can you tell me more about this Harrah's balcony? I do not know how access works and if you think it was worth the effort.

    FAB
    No FAB not me but I did see plenty of strange things. LOL

    The Harrah's balcony was reserved before we left for the trip. We received the offer after we made our reservations. It's only during Mardi Gras. We got to choose from certain dates and times. It was on Bourbon Street.
    About 100 people there. You could go inside for drinks and food. Lots of beads to throw. One woman did take her top off but she was not part of our group.

  8. #28
    Nash, I am just wondering why you flew Southwest. Weren't you just saving CET money by doing that? Why not take a better airline? Or was it somehow more than your $1200 flight allowance?

    Your room and experience at Harrah's sucked because it was Mardi Gras. Suites are auto-assigned based upon ADT, and during Mardi Gras, obviously there's a lot more competition from other gamblers. There aren't many suites in the property. If you go during "off days", you are highly likely to get a suite with your Seven Stars trip.

    On my last Seven Stars trip there (late January 2015), they claimed I couldn't have a suite, but couldn't explain why. They just kept saying "it's not available", because presumably they saw my overall ADT sucked (though it's fairly good at THEIR property), and didn't want to "waste" it on me. However, their policy is that all Seven Stars are entitled to suites if available. I trapped the front desk employee in a contradiction by then offering to pay for a suite. She immediately said that I could do that. I then snapped back, "Then you're saying one IS available. Now I want you to give it to me for free like you're supposed to."

    She was annoyed, and resisted at first. I told her I wanted to get a host involved, and told them to check that I play fairly heavily every time I come there (which I do). She couldn't reach a host, and finally just got frustrated and gave me the suite.

    So keep that in mind, too. But this wouldn't have worked during Mardi Gras.
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  9. #29
    Interesting that hosts can book using Orbitz. I wish I knew that when I booked my most recent retreat.

    I was panicking because there were only 2 seats left at the current price, and Passport was backlogged. I repeatedly called them to hurry it along.

    Here is an internal e-mail between Passport and the Rio about me, which I wasn't supposed to see:

    From: [passport rep]
    To: [my host]

    Is he good? Can you approve this?

    Sorry to be insistent but this guest has been very, very persistent with us and has been calling us non-stop to get this approved.

    Please let us know.

    Thanks
    LOL
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  10. #30
    Originally Posted by FABismonte View Post
    Hi Chimp:

    Nice to hear from you. I miss your jackpot photos.

    CET Baltimore does not have an attached hotel but it does have a deal with the Sheraton to house guests. I went on the Total Rewards website and drilled down to properties then the hyperlink to Horseshoe Baltimore. You can then seek room reservations. Here is a URL: https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-ba...675.1454459490

    You may not see any available rooms unless you sign in. Then depending on the action you have provided CET, you can see the rooms available to you. You need to have a room booked to get a flight as it is necessary to input that reservation code. Presumably, a high roller like you could also just ask your host for help.

    I do hope you can see your brother. We timed our trip so we can hopefully see the cherry blossoms near the DC mall.

    FAB
    Thanks Fab! That's great to know. Hope you have a wonderful trip and the cherry blossoms peak while you are there!

  11. #31
    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Why would you want to do that, when Passport will do it for you AND pay for it on the spot?
    If you have a credit card affiliated with your airline you can get extra benefits for paying for your tickets with that card, such as extra frequent flier miles, or free checked bags for all or some of the tickets paid for with the card. If it is as easy as getting reimbursed from the cage when you get there, it would be worth it to me.

  12. #32
    Originally Posted by FABismonte View Post
    Hi Chimp:

    Nice to hear from you. I miss your jackpot photos.

    CET Baltimore does not have an attached hotel but it does have a deal with the Sheraton to house guests. I went on the Total Rewards website and drilled down to properties then the hyperlink to Horseshoe Baltimore. You can then seek room reservations. Here is a URL: https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-ba...675.1454459490

    You may not see any available rooms unless you sign in. Then depending on the action you have provided CET, you can see the rooms available to you. You need to have a room booked to get a flight as it is necessary to input that reservation code. Presumably, a high roller like you could also just ask your host for help.

    I do hope you can see your brother. We timed our trip so we can hopefully see the cherry blossoms near the DC mall.

    FAB
    I checked TR and was surprised to only be offered the Sheraton. We needed to visit Baltimore last year and I booked a comp room through CET at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore at the Inner Harbor. I did the entire booking myself online, and the room as well as self parking was seamlessly taken care of by the casino. At that time they offered comp rooms at all the hotels on the list on their website. While I didn't book it through CET, I've stayed at the Hilton Camden Yards and that is also a very nice hotel, but it's a couple of blocks walk to the Inner Harbor as opposed to the Hyatt which is right across the street.

  13. #33
    I heard Horseshoe no longer has an affiliation with Hyatt in Baltimore...
    JustaDiamind is now justa-seven-star..

  14. #34
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    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Nash, I am just wondering why you flew Southwest. Weren't you just saving CET money by doing that? Why not take a better airline? Or was it somehow more than your $1200 flight allowance?

    Your room and experience at Harrah's sucked because it was Mardi Gras. Suites are auto-assigned based upon ADT, and during Mardi Gras, obviously there's a lot more competition from other gamblers. There aren't many suites in the property. If you go during "off days", you are highly likely to get a suite with your Seven Stars trip.

    On my last Seven Stars trip there (late January 2015), they claimed I couldn't have a suite, but couldn't explain why. They just kept saying "it's not available", because presumably they saw my overall ADT sucked (though it's fairly good at THEIR property), and didn't want to "waste" it on me. However, their policy is that all Seven Stars are entitled to suites if available. I trapped the front desk employee in a contradiction by then offering to pay for a suite. She immediately said that I could do that. I then snapped back, "Then you're saying one IS available. Now I want you to give it to me for free like you're supposed to."

    She was annoyed, and resisted at first. I told her I wanted to get a host involved, and told them to check that I play fairly heavily every time I come there (which I do). She couldn't reach a host, and finally just got frustrated and gave me the suite.

    So keep that in mind, too. But this wouldn't have worked during Mardi Gras.
    Dan,

    We flew Southwest because it was the only non stop I could find from San Diego on the date and time we wanted to go. I think the air was a little over $800.00 for the two of us.

    We were not offered a suite and we didn't ask for one either. I know when we booked Harrah's was completely sold out and that's why we had to stay at La Meridien.

    I don't think there were very many 7 star players there aside from our group. Every time I went to the cashier or Total Rewards desk I was the only 7 star player in line.

    I did call a VIP host while we were there to see if we could get our room changed but I had to leave a voice mail and no one ever got back with me.

    Funny thing...been back now over a week
    and haven't received any survey about the trip.

  15. #35
    I am beginning to plan my seven stars trip for March 24-28. I have contacted my Vegas host at Caesars Palace this time hoping to get more attentive service than my Cincinnati host was last year.

    I have requested flights on Allegiant from Cincinnati. They have the only non stop flights with the times we wanted. Allegiant is a low cost carrier that will nickel and dime for the extras. Will it be too much to expect for Caesars to pay for checked bags and the extra cost to sit together? I also asked for seat upgrades. Allegiant charges extra for 'more legroom'.

    My last trip to Caesars Palace we stayed at the Nobu. Having also stayed an the Laurel Collection we preferred the Laurel. I have also stayed at Planet Hollywood. Are there other rooms I should consider and make a request for? My play is around 400,000 tc's last three years.

    I am asking my host to get me tickets for Rod Stewart and charge to my room. I doubt he comps them.

    I have one experience credit that I am asking for another $500 folio credit so I should have $1000 total.

    Also, I have an invite for the 150,000 Poker tournament that weekend. I am not a poker player but if I can get it I will try. Any hope of getting in on it with retreat trip benefits?

    Also, an unrelated question: My dominant property is Cinccinnati, HorseShoe Southern Indiana was probably 25%. In a few months Cincinnati will no longer be a TotalRewards property and they will put me in their equivalent player class. Will HorseShoe Southern Indiana become my dominate property again? Does it matter? I can't get any of my hosts to really say.

    thanks,

  16. #36
    Supermaxhd:

    I am not sure what will happen with your dominant property, as I still don't fully understand how that is assigned.

    However, I can answer the rest:

    - Caesars is not likely to pay for checked bags, as that cannot be incorporated into the ticket price. However, if you can buy the ticket in a way where that is included somehow, then they might. Otherwise, contact your host, explain that you will be way under the $1200 airline allocation (I'm assuming you will be), and ask if he can pay for your bags. It can probably be done. Explain to him why you're choosing Allegiant (the nonstop thing).

    - If you like the Laurel collection rooms, you should request one of two room types. If you prefer the very nicest tower but don't care about the view (and don't care about walking the absolute farthest to get to it), ask for the Octavius Tower. If you like having a nice strip view (and Bellagio fountain view), and a nice-but-7-years-older room, ask for Augustus. However, if you get Augustus, make sure they give you a floor 36 or above, or otherwise it will be noisy from Flamingo below. Keep in mind that the floor #s start at something like 23, so 36 is actually 14 or whatever. Also make sure they give you an Augustus room facing the strip, and one that is to the left of the elevator (last two digits of the room should be no higher than 69).

    - If you can't get your Rod Stewart tickets comped, have your host charge them to your RCs, provided you have enough to cover them. Make sure the host has access to better seats than the general public. If he doesn't you might just want to book yourself and pay with RCs.

    - Unless your host allows it, you can't play in the $150k poker tournament when you're on your Seven Stars trip. This is because the $500 food credit is considered an "offer", and you can't double-dip. However, you can try to talk your host into it.

    - Caesars will definitely pay for a seat upgrade on Allegiant. Book the most expensive category you can, while still staying under the $1200 allotment.
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  17. #37
    Dan:

    Thanks for the answers. I will let you know what I get.

  18. #38
    On a side note, HorseShoe Cincinnati's new name was announced in the Cincinnati newspaper a couple of days ago. In June they will become Jack Cincinnati Casino. Their player club will be called clubjack.

  19. #39
    Originally Posted by supermaxhd View Post
    On a side note, HorseShoe Cincinnati's new name was announced in the Cincinnati newspaper a couple of days ago. In June they will become Jack Cincinnati Casino. Their player club will be called clubjack.
    I saw this this morning on the Horseshoe Cleveland page. The comments were entertaining. There was also a PDF with high level info on their new card program, which looks like just another mediocre local program with few benefits.

  20. #40
    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Supermaxhd:

    I am not sure what will happen with your dominant property, as I still don't fully understand how that is assigned.
    I believe the dominant property is assigned using the Harrah's Winners Information Network (WINet) data and the total number of trips to a specific property. For example, my dominant property first was the Rio, then changed to Bally's AC, and finally Caesars AC.

    By the way, did you know the first two numbers on your Total Rewards card tell where you signed up for your card? For example, my card number, 17XXXXXXXXX means I signed up for a card at the Rio in Las Vegas.

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