[Editor’s Note: This trip report was sent to us by frequent LVA correspondent extraordinaire, Peter B, who took advantage of his Platinum status at the Wynn, which includes a free buffet for two during the month of members’ birthdays. Platinum is the second tier in the Wynn Rewards system (between Red and Black); earn 7,000 tier credits and you’re in. Get the details here. Other Platinum benefits include free self-parking, $10 birthday freeplay, priority seating at the buffet, two Wynn Master Classes for two, and a $100 spa credit.]
I just enjoyed my Wynn birthday-month Platinum comped $150 comp at the buffet. It’s not as big as the Bacchanal at Caesars Palace, but as far as I’m concerned, quality prevails over quantity. There are no big Asian or Latino sections, but that’s not what I’m looking for at at high-end buffet. There’s a salad bar, but who wants to pay $75 for rabbit food? I go for the protein.
The Wynn is generously matching tier with Caesars Platinum (free with no annual fee VISA card) and Fontainebleau Silver. For MGM Pearl (no-annual-fee MasterCard)and Mirage Legend (free for NV locals), you have to make a little detour through Silver, but once you’re on the “upgrade tour,” you’ll be able to figure it out. This is good through the end of May. Here are Wynn’s rules.
The Wynn Platinum card is good until 1/31/2025. To get the birthday-month $150 credit, show your players card and driver’s license at the Rewards desk and tell them where you want to spend it.
The line for walk-ins was long and though the one for people with pre-paid reservations was shorter, flashing my Platinum card allow me to skip both and I got seated almost immediately. Good to be a VIP.
The seafood section was great: cold Maine lobster and Dungeness crab claws, steamed snow crab legs, large cocktail prawns, sushi, and much more. Even cute little caviar thingies. This is my little seafood appetizer with lobster claws, Dungeness crab legs and jumbo prawns.
Carving station has excellent garlic-infused prime rib, filet mignon, leg of lamb, all perfectly cooked. The filet mignon was very tender and lean, one of the best cuts of beef I’ve ever had at a buffet. Ask for medium rare from the center or more done from the end.
These are the cute little caviar bites. The orange is actually salmon roe on an edible spoon.
Tip: Most buffets have little plastic or metal cups for the cocktail sauce, jus, horseradish, salad dressing, drawn butter, etc. at the various stations. Not so much at the Wynn, but you can pick up an empty glass cup at the steamed crab leg station and fill it up from the big container.
I don’t care much about filling up on bread, pasta, and pizza, but it did all look good.
Unlike in previous years, the $150 birthday-month dinner credit now covers only the food, so it’s enough for two at $74.99 apiece (no sales tax on comps). Alcoholic drinks are extra. I opted for the endless pour, which came down to about $40 with tax and tip. When I asked for a drink with the nice birthday dessert surprise tray they gave me, burning candle included, the waitress told me I was two minutes over the two-hour time limit. But she asked her supervisor and got me a big cup of Prosecco to go anyway.
The Wynn is one of those few places where the customer is still king. You can get just about anything, as long as it’s a reasonable request.
At the end, they gave me a birthday dessert platter with gold-like glitters and a burning candle. No singing, fortunately!
Self parking: Insert your Platinum or higher card at the entry gate and it opens, no ticket. Do the same when you exit. Best to park on the second floor, so you don’t have to take an elevator to casino level.
Funny observation: Several guys throughout the place have big signs reading “Knowledge.” Apparently, they’re there to help first-time visitors find their way.
The Lake of Dreams has a bunch of new shows, every half-hour after dark. Not many people know about it. They’re free to watch from the balcony behind the front desk.
Nice story on the WYNN!
I plan to add it to my “must do” list!
Don’t overlook your “Comp Dollars” at Wynn, earned by playing slots and tables, using your players card of course. This (like a lot of Wynn perks) is not prominently advertised; you have to ask for your balance, when they expire, etc.
At completion of your play (or anytime, really), present your players card to the Red Card desk and ask how many Comp Dollars you have, and when they expire. These expire according to date of earning, and can be carried over. The agent can tell you how many ‘dollars’ you have to spend now, how long they are redeemable by date. Example: “You have $200 you can spend now; $150 will still be good until dd/mm/yyyy.” So you can ‘save’ some to spend at a future trip if it works out, at which time you will add more Comp Dollars as you gamble there! Or spend them all ‘now’ if you aren’t planning to return before they expire.
These dollars are redeemable at most of their eateries (a few exceptions, so check), salon, spa, for show tickets, and retail/amenities shops. I have obtained some amazing items in the “Drugstore” or “Sundries” shops. Clothing, accessories, some I’ve used for gifts. Also your room charge/in-room dining. They have the list of on their web site, where the dollars are redeemable.
You can also “Shop Wynn Rewards” online using Comp Dollars and the items will be mailed to you. Also found online on their web site.
You earn them whether you like it or not, LOL. So you might as well spend them!
I should have emphasized at the start that Wynn “Comp Dollars” are not the same as Free Play. Comp Dollars are used for merchandise, food, room charges, lots of things, but not slot/table play (or sports bets, I assume). Sorry I didn’t point that out earlier in my dissertation above.