My Take on the New Total Rewards Tier System

Okay, I'll admit, I was the first to poo-poo the new tier levels for 2014 (yes, the earning is for next year's status). I didn't like the higher tier point levels and was ready to throw in the towel along with many of you.

However, I've received the new mailer with the details...and I see what's going on. Their entire change is to get players to play MORE per day. Yes, Diamond has gone from 11,000 points to 15,000 points BUT their are a couple of ways to make this come to our advantage.

Yes, Diamond in a Day has been raised to 5000 but it is no longer only for new players. This is good.

What intrigues me is that to play 1000 tier points in a day gives you 1000 tier points extra...therefore, 2000 points...this certainly beats the old system.

And for ME, better yet, 2500 points in one day (about 6 hours at dollar level VP) you get 5000 tier points added for a total of 7500 points. So, it would only take two 2500 points days to make Diamond for the following year. This is doable for me. Though I'll be the first to understand that others couldn't do it at this level.

The changes in my gambling (personally) would be this: Expect two days of MAJOR playing and be ready for the swings. Don't play at all on the other days. Somewhat how I do it now.

The four nights at any resort is a nice added bennie (only assuming that they haven't cancelled all the other usual two nighters--I wouldn't put it past them.

The free plane fare ($750 max) is okay...I suppose. The special dinner is dumb. They select the night, and it's your run-of-the-mill convention center room with some local orchestra playing songs. They can keep that one.

Overall...I'm not so pessimistic about the whole thing. I'm a bit more opened minded than before.

Hey JMan:

I agree that at least for me, this is actually a better deal. I don't play $VP but I would normally do 1000 tier credits so the way I read it, each day is worth 2000 tc. Since you were the one who got me back into the Harrahs fold some years ago with your primer, it's good to see that you haven't given them up yet......at least until the next change. Decrease in DL quality-No doubt. Not the Best VP %-Absolutely But, their level of service and room quality does count for something!

Ted In Chico

The more-play-in-one-day concept is what I had spoken with a host about a few weeks ago, and that is what they are trying to do which represents a difference in strategy for me. I have always tried to keep my play consistent over the 3 or so days that I am there for what I thought was a higher ADT score. This host told me that I will do better by choosing one day to play higher and laying off slightly on the other days and that will not hurt my score. Totally different concept than i had been operating under. It might just work out better than I thought unless they take away percs for the lowest Diamond tier, which is all I will ever aspire to. Still waiting for my letter.

I agree. The jury is still out as we have to wait and see what they add or subtract from their other perks. Of course, the line passes will stay (it doesn't cost them anything), but I will be curious to see what happens. Also, no mention was made for our AC friends. Will the $10 DL charge go up, or removed or stay the same? Also, will anything change in the Vegas Diamond Lounges? Of course the food offerings there have now dwindled down to joke status, and they cut out many of the premium brands last time around...so we'll see. I, of course, will be reporting on all of these during my stays this year.

A positive spin on this for those who usually, or can, play more in a day!!!

Is there any where on the TR website that explains the changes?? All I can find is where they explain the bonus tier points. What is this about airfare?? and for what level? I just made diamond in December for the first times (good till March of 2014). Just wondering what all I can get. Gotta get the most of what I can.

I read somewhere there will be different levels within diamond. I'm guessing those with the higher daily average and higher tier scores will receive the most benefits.

I posted this in your original post about the "Shakedown" but wanted to report it here in case it was missed in that thread (either by you or others)

Based on daily points earned on VIDEO POKER to make DIAMOND

For the under 500 point per day player:
OLD = $110,000 coin in over the year

NEW = $150,000 coin in over the year

DIFFERENCE = $40,000 more coin in

===========================================

For the 500 point per day player:
OLD = $110,000 coin in per day over 22 days of play
(22 days x $5,000 coin in per day = $110,000)

NEW = $120,000 coin in over 24 days of play
(24 days x $5,000 coin in per day = $120,000 coin in = 12,000 points earned + 3,000 bonus points = 15,000 points)

DIFFERENCE = 2 more playing days and $10,000 coin in

===========================================

For the 1,000 point per day player:
OLD = $110,000 coin in over 11 days of play

NEW = $80,000 coin in per day over 8 days of play
(8 days x $10,000 coin in per day = $80,000 coin in = 8,000 points earned + 8,000 bonus points = 16,000 points - YES, this is 16,000 points and you only need 15,000 but you can't play 7.5 days or you would fall short getting the bonus points on one day)

DIFFERENCE = 3 LESS playing days and $30,000 LESS coin in

===========================================

For the 2,500 point per day player:
OLD = $110,000 coin in over 4.4 days of play

NEW = $50,000 coin in per day over 2 days of play
(2 days x $25,000 coin in per day = $50,000 coin in = 5,000 points earned + 10,000 bonus points = 15,000 points)

DIFFERENCE = 2.4 LESS playing days and $60,000 LESS coin in

===========================================

So, as we can see, this program benefits the player with a higher daily average. Of course in most cases a player that did 25k per day would hit diamond anyway so they won't really care.

In my opinion this is actually better for CET as a company in a way. First it will weed out the diamond players that play a few days a week but, at a very low level. The extra $40,000 coin in per year just won't be achievable for them. In Atlantic City these players are the norm and one of the reasons they added the $10 in comps per visit to the diamond lounge. These lower end players were killing them and causing long lines at the buffets, and diamond lounges. It isn't uncommon to have a longer line in the diamond lines than the gold lines in Atlantic City.

Also people will play higher amounts trying to reach daily thresholds. In the past if you were done playing at 896 points, you were done. Now many people will strive to hit that 1000 point mark so they can grab those additional bonus points. Even more so with the 2500 point day level. Even more beneficial to CET is this is almost what DIAD used to be, but it'll take 2 days of action like this to make diamond. Most players are willing to bump up their play once, but not twice to become diamond. Those that are will suffer twice as much in losses as they used to.

Diamond in a day requirements are out of reach now and honestly it doesn't make sense to run $50,000 through the machines in a day. It will eliminate the people willing to "take a shot" at doing 3000 points in a day. Running $50,000 through the machines in 1 day to make diamond, that only last until March of next year doesn't make sense. If you're willing to take that kind of risk for the limited perks diamond offers you're better off playing for 2 days at $25,000 per day and getting the full benefits for the rest of the year and ALL of the following year.

I love the level II and III diamonds. Done right you could get to level III with around $275K of action. For this the free airfare and improve free play rate seems like a good deal. I know a lot of people poo-poo the 4 nights anywhere but that is of big value to me. I only play Non-Vegas CET and when I stay in Vegas stiff them. Basically that means I can't get rooms in Vegas but can everywhere else. Now I stay in Vegas again

My husband, the diamond holder, just got a detailed projected analysis of his tier level for 2014. They projected if he does the four 1000 TC days he did last year, he will automatically have 8,000 points.

Based on his other play, they expect him to be around 23,000 for the year.

I am waiting to talk to his cousins, aka "the luckiest people on earth," to see what their projectedd status is. Both of them had over 40,00 TC, and really started playing in the spring. When you win consistntly, it is really easy to do.

Joy