Earning Reward Credits by purchases and converting to slot play??

How does this work. If I buy something in a gift shop or eat at a restaurant how does this get recorded toward my reward credits. By just showing my players card or by charging to my room??? I don't believe this was a perk that was available the last time I was in Vegas. I no longer have the Total Rewards credit card, and I am not going to re-apply for it. I do want to take advantage of any possible perks. Also, if I want to convert reward credits into free play how is that done and is the conversion the same as using credits for purchases.
I have approximately 15,000 reward credits which I believe ='s $150. Any help or insight will be greatly appreciated. I am so looking forward to my return to Vegas. Bringing 3 friends, and one has never even gone into a casino. I think she has always been afraid she would like it tooo much. I love bringing a newbie.

150,000 in reward credit would convert to approx. $75 in free slot play. A little more for diamond and 7 stars. 150,000 in reward credits converts to $150 that you can use at any Ceasar's owned restaurant or for room charges. You can also use reward credits in the gift shop. IMHO, using reward credits for food and room charges is a better value.

You also get vouchers and not cash for the free slot play, and you can't cash out until you've used the entire voucher. They do have $5 and $20 increments though (I think those are the 2, they might have $10). I usually wait until right before I go home, and I know I've closed out my room to convert what's left to free play. Or I just save it until my next trip.

15,000 RC is $150
150,000 is $1500

Oops, extra "0"
Reward credits convert at a rate of 2/1 when converting to free slot play. There's a slightly better rate for diamond and 7 star players.

Credits can be converted to slot play in $5 increments up to $500 as follows Gold and Platinum 1000 credits=$5, Diamond 875 credits=$5, 7 Star 625 credits=$5

Forgot to mention that tier credits for purchases like restaurants can take a week to be posted. You want to make sure that you give them your card and tell them you want tier credits added for the purchase not subtracted.