New Stations Program: It Stinks

I spent 2 nights at GVR last week. Although I had to pay for internet, work related and work is reimbursing me for it, I was told use of the fitness center and spa facilities was included in the resort fee. However, the resort fee was waived as my room was comped. I'm at gold level and probably will always be gold level.

FWIW, I've stayed at RR once and prefer the ambiance of GVR over RR.

Yes, I have had all resort fees and the new internet charge comped by my host. I give her a call the morning I am checking out and she (or someone else if she is not working that morning) take a look at my play and comp me appropriately. So far, I don't have any complaints.

My recent stay at Sunset station was excellent. I found a host who put me in a suite and comped off lunch and breakfast without using points. I was impressed and will certainly return. I have found the GVR and Aliante host lacking, but sometimes it just a matter of finding the right host...which I have failed to do.

FYI: Platinum status DOES require $40K of coin-in if you play non optimum VP.

Stations marketing to out of towners is just bad. The offers arrive weeks late and are generally very poor especially when it comes to free play. Of course this can change at any time, in the past they were great! Perhaps in the future they will be...

If you get a comped room, they "waive" the resort fee, meaning that you won't have to pay it. It appears on your bill at both an addition and subtraction for each day you're there. This was true under the old program also, but you got the use of wi-fi and facilities included in the resort fee along with your comped room. Now you get none of these; you have to pay for them. Be careful, because when making reservations under comped code numbers, you'll be told you don't have to pay the fee. That's true, but, unlike in the past, you also don't get the services.

My host at RR, David, refused to comp the fees for things like the gym.

I agree that GVR is a much nicer place than RR.

For locals, perhaps making more cash back more easily is better for them than before. But if you're coming from out of town, you want to know what you're being offered, and in this department, Stations new program is considerably worse. I suppose some hosts will be better or worse at comping things that you used to get free for just accepting a comped offer, but this was certainly not the case of my host at RR who comped nothing and tried to charge me for one of the free nights. If you're making a reservation to stay at a Stations property now, I seriously suggest that you request an email in writing stating exactly what you'll be getting and what you will and won't have to pay for. I was completely misled by an agent when I called to confirm my reservation at RR who told me that I would not have to pay the resort fee and that I would get everything that comes with it free. This was simply not true.

Also, I don't see how losing a lot of money to achieve Platinum status is worth it as that merely gives you what the old Gold status used to, and so on up the Stations' status line. There's no question in my mind that the essence of Stations' new program is to get players to spend more money while trying to make them think they're getting more when, in reality, they're getting less.

Sue is certainly entitled to her opinions and perspective, but they are delivered with too much adamant religious fervor for me.

Stations started out as "locals" casinos, and that's where they seem to be headed back to. In the process, they've seemed to lose interest in players who are not locals, and the decline in the value of their offers proves this.

Yes, paying for the internet is something new that I believe started in September. Although, I didn't make it to the spa, decided just to soak in the tub in the room, I called and asked if there was a charge to use the facilities. I was told there was no additional fee to use the spa and/or workout facilities. Per my offer, the resort fee was waived.

I can't speak for RR as I haven't been there since the end of March.

"Sue is certainly entitled to her opinions and perspective, but they are delivered with too much adamant religious fervor for me.'
Barrys,
I read every word.
Personally I don't see it/ She just delivered the facts, IMHO. It alkso seems like you both know what you're talking about- nice to see intellegent conversation.

P.S. Sunset Station has THE best music of any casino I have ever gone to/ We hear Steeley Dan, Jimmy Buffets version of James Taylor's "Mexico" and many odd specific to my odd tastes music. Bravo to whomever is in charge of that. Bravo!.
It's not the newest, but I free free and relaxed there- good bang for my buck.

another side note- M keeps downgrading everything. those drink stands, gone. that buffet; so not what it was. the VP; shorted.. not the "must stop by" stop it used to be. Sold and picking the meat off the carcass.

Well, I'm Platinum and my offers are what somebody just off the street would get if he just put through $500. I put thru anywhere from $5-10,000 a day and get squat under the new program. Program stinks and is just designed to reduce their comp costs.

The best deal we found with Stations, is when they offer the $50 gift cards for $25 (plus the $2.95 service charge).

Offers are basically non-existent, although we really enjoy staying at GVR.

Since the change over I have stayed at GVR and RR.
On the comp room offers.
Internet is an extra charge at both places.
GVR allowed fitness/spa entry at no charge...RR charged $10

I agree on those 50% off gift cards...can never get too many of those!