About eighteen years ago when I lived in Los Angeles and Tropicana casino was run by the Aztar corporation I joined the slot club there. I even stayed a few times with comped rooms but haven't been back for at least fifteen years.
Back in April I did this promotion. The slot club boothling asked me if I was ever a member of the slot club and I said "I am not sure." She then looked up my records, saw that I lived at an address at Northern California and asked what my wife's name was. That was the first time I was ever asked that when I was ID'ing myself. I responded by stating my wife's middle name and was then told I was eligible. I was explained the offer which this board already explained above.
I decided to try for a big hit with the $200 free play and then if I lost, I would play video poker to get my principal back if I lost and played on the reimbursement. I found the high limit area, and played $5 Top Dollar Slots. The first $100 was inhaled by the machine without a burp. The second Benjamin when in. I was down to $50 when I hit the "TOP Dollar" bonus. The way the game is played, you get a series of four offers (or is it three?). You can take an offer or try again. If you get 40 credits, you should take it. My first offer was 25 credits (equivalent to $125). My second offer was 120 credits ($600). So I took it the offer and cashed out and headed out with my $450 profit.
BTW, I did look around the place and it is really much nicer than before. It has a kind of Miami South Beach vibe -- much cleaner and younger than before.
