Boyd Gaming upgrades its B Connected loyalty club program

First, I'm not a Boyd apologist, not a Boyd player to speak of.  But there seems to be some clarification needed before you give up on a casino you've liked in the past.

I can't speak about the "point" conversion.  My math skills aren't up to that.

Points versus Tier Credits:

"Points" accummulate forever until you spend them on food, etc.  Or they expire in six months if no gambling action.  This is pretty much the same as in the CET and MGM systems. 

Tier Credits are what gets you into Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, etc.  Everyone's Tier Credits start over at zero every January 1st.  However, if in the previous year you earned enough to qualify you for Ruby, Sapphire or above, you retain that Tier (not the Credits but the Tier) for the following year through December 31st.  Again, like CET and MGM.  

At any time during any year (e.g. August 20th) you have earned enough Tier Credits to bump you into a higher Tier, you "become" that Tier at that time, and through the rest of that year, and through Dec. 31st of the following year.   That may be good news to some.

Your Credits zero out, but you retain the Tier and the benefits that go with it through the end of that year.

If Boyd has previously allowed you to build on your Tier Credits from year to year with no loss of credits ever, I can see how this will be an unwelcome change.   Me, I would give it a chance, see how the points and Credits accummulate with my usual play.  But that is each person's decision.

Hope this helps.

You brought up my thought exactly, where I don't think people realize that if your saphire right now for instance at year end your tier credits go to zero but your still saphire for all next year. Starting Jan ist your working on your tier credit for 2020. Yes I feel very bad for vp players as they are feeling the brunt of this change.  i also don't like that you can't cash out your bconnect points for cash as had been allowed before and that is what we did at the end of every trip. Also dropping YAH to just 11x is disappointing, but then Suncoast for September has I believe 9 or 11 days or more of 11x points for slot and vp players. The big factor will be seeing what offers we get starting in December.

Jokare, glad you got my point (no pun intended) on the Tier Credit procedure.  However, will Boyd 'honor' existing 2018 Tiers now and into 2019 despite the mangling of existing Credits?  What insanity, making big changes in the MIDDLE of a comp/tier year.  What a nightmare for employees and number crunchers.  They will (and should) have a world of 'splainin' to do.

They adjusted your tier points as can be seen on b-connected.  Whatever it shows now is what you will be Jan 1st for all of next year, unless your able to go this year yet and add to your tier credits. Once Jan 1st comes your working on a new tier level for 2020 as I read it.

OK, sounding better for Tiers.  Thanks.

As a loyal VP player at Orleans I will give it a shot. The 140,000 points going to 3,800 does not give me warm and fuzzies. Curious to see how they integrate table play also.

"Upgrade" is not a plausable way to describe the changes.

not upgrade
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It appears to me that Boyd gaming has chosen to turn their backs on  video poker players.  We visit the LV area 3-4 times a year for about a week’s stay each time.  We have generally stayed at Sam’s Town because we like the area, the rooms and the VP options.  We will visit again in November and begin looking at more concentrated play at Boulder Station, AC or back to the Fiesta as well as looking for rooms at those casinos.  When a business makes it clear that they are disinterested in maintaining your business, in this case by cutting our benefits, then it is time to look elsewhere.

Very true, but at this late date in the year, if you have built up points and stayed or advanced into one of the higher tiers, you might think of giving it a test run in 2019.  You are there anyway.  See how it actually goes. 

Once again, I'm not a Boyd player, nor a Boyd apologist.  I've suffered through CET 'downgrading' Diamond tier rewards by increasing the point requirement every couple of years, implementing "Aspirations" levels within Diamond to which one would have to reach to get comps previously enjoyed at the checkered flag.  So far there is still value for me.   I decide what is worth it to me or not.  For example, my NYE offers may not be at the spectacular level as they once were, but I never go to Vegas for NYE anyway, so that is a non-issue.

P.S, I don't fall on my sword for anybody (I sound like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca).  If one wants to "feel sorry for VP players" even if one doesn't play VP, that is their business.  I only care about what affects me.