A car load of friends loaded up to go to complete Harrah's race for rewards promotion. Both couples had already made it up to the new Cleveland casino so we all needed another 13 points to max out (750,000 rc). We took off early on Sunday with the plan of hitting Metropolis then spending the night in Tunica, heading out to hit Bossier City then down to Biloxi for 3 nights (going over to New Orleans one of those nights) and then up to Louisville to complete the race and our vacation. Well needless to say--hurricane Isaac threw a monkey wrench into the entire trip.
We had been closely watching the advancing storm thinking all was going to be ok as it looked like the storm was going to hit more towards the Fl panhandle and just give the gulf some rain and heavy surf--no big deal, just no pool/beach time or just change days we did that. No such luck. We had hit Metropolis and all 4 of us were pretty much even after getting our 25 points needed for the promotion and were about an hour and a half from our destination that night of Tunica when one of our moms called and said they were evacuating New Orleans. Well this mom over reacts to everything to we checked into it and while the weren't evacuating at the time the storm was dead on to hit. Out came the smart phones and my netbook as we kept driving. In a short time we were able to change all our reservations. Tunica Roadhouse let us cancel that night and we were able to get into Biloxi. We drove straight down there. Everyone there was super nice, even offering to help us change our plans if we needed to. The room was really nice, but was disappointed in the casino floor. It was super small with not alot of options. Grabbed a sandwich at the deli and headed to our room after getting our required points and then some. Had free food money from the IP so treated our group to breakfast before heading out the next morning.
On to New Orleans. It was a quick trip over to New Orleans. Used valet parking (free for plat. and above). Casino floor was very nice. All seemed cleaned, but we made a very short stop as by now they were telling people to get out of town. We did walk the boardwalk along the river for a little then hit the road to Bossier City. First you have to understand that New Orleans only has about 4 roads that leave the city. We headed out and the interstate was at a stand still--they were doing construction and had several lanes closed. We putted along and came across a wreck in the left lane--got pass that and still was putting along and came a cross a broken down semi in the middle lane. We were almost out of gas and still putting along when we got off the interstate we found plenty of gas stations but several were already out of gas. ERRRRR. It was a very long day of traveling. What should have taken just over 5.5 hours took us almost 9 due to every one evacuation , construction, and several wrecks. Next stop Bossier City.
We were unable to get rooms at the Harrah's in Bossier City as they were sold out due to the storm they said. We did get rooms at the Sam's Town across the river. Even though hubby is an sapphire there we couldn't get a comped room. Not happy with that. Our room was nice, casino small. Ate at the restaurant there which had a $9.99 special all you can eat tacos and all you can drink margaritas. They had to be the worst margaritas I have ever had, but at least the tacos were good. Hit the Harrahs Horseshoe the next morning. They have a 8=5 BP machine at the nickle level. We all through a hunny in and started to get our points. We each got 20 and were even and then everyone parted ways to get the next 5 points they needed to the promotion. Ate a quick breakfast then off the Tunica as we were still just one day in front of Isaac.
Checked into the Roadhouse in Tunica. What a welcome relief to know we didn't have to get back in the car the next day as we were going to spend 2 nights there. Room was ok, but very worn. They really need to spend a little $$$ and get new bedding and carpet. I had $40 in free play here and was able to hit 4oak early. Enjoyed the pool next door at the horseshoe. It is a small pool with no hot tub, but quiet. I had another good hit the first hit as I was trying out a 50 play that had a X's bonus. The X's bonus came up at 5X and I was dealt the ace and queen of diamonds. Crap--I was hoping for at least a pair as I was down to next to my last deal money wise ($7 and it was $6 a deal--2 cent machine). Well you guess it- about half way through the 50 hands a royal got dealt. wooo-hooo. Back in the game.
final leg of the trip--we headed up to Louisville. Nothing special again. Clean room, relaxing pool and decent casino. Was able to play for about 4 hours and break even--to me that's a win. Not impressed with Paula Dean buffet. Not worth the price for what you get.
All in all the race for rewards worked out pretty good. I was able to get all the stops in and break even gambling. Hubby lost about $300 gambling. Our friends were in about the same boat gambling. Gas was about $600 split 4 ways. Most of our food was comped and we will each end up with $750 in RC. I did getting a nice surprise from travel zoo during the trip. I had purchased a meal with travel zoo for the 4 of us at a very nice place in New Orleans. Due to the storm we bugged out and didn't get to use it. They have a no money back policy but we thought we would call them and give it a shot. Well after telling them how Isaac had changed our plans--they gave us our money back. I was really surprised.
All four of us decided we would like to go back to New Orleans--but just not in hurricane season.
We had been closely watching the advancing storm thinking all was going to be ok as it looked like the storm was going to hit more towards the Fl panhandle and just give the gulf some rain and heavy surf--no big deal, just no pool/beach time or just change days we did that. No such luck. We had hit Metropolis and all 4 of us were pretty much even after getting our 25 points needed for the promotion and were about an hour and a half from our destination that night of Tunica when one of our moms called and said they were evacuating New Orleans. Well this mom over reacts to everything to we checked into it and while the weren't evacuating at the time the storm was dead on to hit. Out came the smart phones and my netbook as we kept driving. In a short time we were able to change all our reservations. Tunica Roadhouse let us cancel that night and we were able to get into Biloxi. We drove straight down there. Everyone there was super nice, even offering to help us change our plans if we needed to. The room was really nice, but was disappointed in the casino floor. It was super small with not alot of options. Grabbed a sandwich at the deli and headed to our room after getting our required points and then some. Had free food money from the IP so treated our group to breakfast before heading out the next morning.
On to New Orleans. It was a quick trip over to New Orleans. Used valet parking (free for plat. and above). Casino floor was very nice. All seemed cleaned, but we made a very short stop as by now they were telling people to get out of town. We did walk the boardwalk along the river for a little then hit the road to Bossier City. First you have to understand that New Orleans only has about 4 roads that leave the city. We headed out and the interstate was at a stand still--they were doing construction and had several lanes closed. We putted along and came across a wreck in the left lane--got pass that and still was putting along and came a cross a broken down semi in the middle lane. We were almost out of gas and still putting along when we got off the interstate we found plenty of gas stations but several were already out of gas. ERRRRR. It was a very long day of traveling. What should have taken just over 5.5 hours took us almost 9 due to every one evacuation , construction, and several wrecks. Next stop Bossier City.
We were unable to get rooms at the Harrah's in Bossier City as they were sold out due to the storm they said. We did get rooms at the Sam's Town across the river. Even though hubby is an sapphire there we couldn't get a comped room. Not happy with that. Our room was nice, casino small. Ate at the restaurant there which had a $9.99 special all you can eat tacos and all you can drink margaritas. They had to be the worst margaritas I have ever had, but at least the tacos were good. Hit the Harrahs Horseshoe the next morning. They have a 8=5 BP machine at the nickle level. We all through a hunny in and started to get our points. We each got 20 and were even and then everyone parted ways to get the next 5 points they needed to the promotion. Ate a quick breakfast then off the Tunica as we were still just one day in front of Isaac.
Checked into the Roadhouse in Tunica. What a welcome relief to know we didn't have to get back in the car the next day as we were going to spend 2 nights there. Room was ok, but very worn. They really need to spend a little $$$ and get new bedding and carpet. I had $40 in free play here and was able to hit 4oak early. Enjoyed the pool next door at the horseshoe. It is a small pool with no hot tub, but quiet. I had another good hit the first hit as I was trying out a 50 play that had a X's bonus. The X's bonus came up at 5X and I was dealt the ace and queen of diamonds. Crap--I was hoping for at least a pair as I was down to next to my last deal money wise ($7 and it was $6 a deal--2 cent machine). Well you guess it- about half way through the 50 hands a royal got dealt. wooo-hooo. Back in the game.
final leg of the trip--we headed up to Louisville. Nothing special again. Clean room, relaxing pool and decent casino. Was able to play for about 4 hours and break even--to me that's a win. Not impressed with Paula Dean buffet. Not worth the price for what you get.
All in all the race for rewards worked out pretty good. I was able to get all the stops in and break even gambling. Hubby lost about $300 gambling. Our friends were in about the same boat gambling. Gas was about $600 split 4 ways. Most of our food was comped and we will each end up with $750 in RC. I did getting a nice surprise from travel zoo during the trip. I had purchased a meal with travel zoo for the 4 of us at a very nice place in New Orleans. Due to the storm we bugged out and didn't get to use it. They have a no money back policy but we thought we would call them and give it a shot. Well after telling them how Isaac had changed our plans--they gave us our money back. I was really surprised.
All four of us decided we would like to go back to New Orleans--but just not in hurricane season.
