I may not mention being from Indiana for the next 5 years.  I’m out of words!  And I can’t find a category in which to put this  – is there one labeled “Crazy”?

Having done the Albertson gift card promotion myself at the Gold Coast this last Sunday, I have a few more details.  For the first $5 gift card, earn only 250 base points.  Then to get up to 3 more $5 cards, earn 500 additional base points for each card.  To max out the promotion, earn 1750 points for $20 in gift cards.  You do not “redeem” points for these cards, so this promo is on top of the base and bonus points you earn; they remain in your account for future redemption.  The promotion runs every Sunday through December 9.

Redemption is a bit time-consuming.  After you get your points you have to first go to the kiosk and print out a coupon, individually for each gift card you have earned.  Then each coupon is exchanged at the players club for a $5 Albertson card.  The clerks have to manually write down information for each card – so sometimes the line gets long.

If you are ambitious – and have lots of time – and like to travel, you can do this promo at all four “Coast” casinos each Sunday.  Slot points must be earned at the property where the kiosk game is played.  You can swipe for your kiosk tickets only from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

One aspect of this promo is convenient, the Monday morning drawing each week at 9 a.m. Every card you earn includes an entry to win a $1000 Albertsons card but you do not have to present to win.  (Good thing – I don’t do 9 a.m.)  They will notify the winner using the contact information given when the person joined the B Connected Club.

PALMS

The “Play, Earn, and Win” promotion continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through November 30th, with one gift card option added to the usual earn-stuff selections.  For 4k slot points or 20k VP points, you can choose a $50 Visa card.  The “stuff” list includes a DVD/VCR combo player, an electric cookie maker, a wok set for two, a 28-piece domino set, a Monopoly game, and a wall clock –  plus some inexpensive items, my favorite being a Palms metal slinky!  I love playing with a slinky.

I was told by a Palms employee that December offerings would be all gift cards.  Let’s hope they are for stores where we really want to shop!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU.  BRAD AND I ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OUR FRUGAL FRIENDS.

In past months I have suggested checking for casino promotions and offers in the Las Vegas Review-Journal – hard-copy or online.  Here is a hint for online readers:  some coupons can be printed from the Web site.  Check here.

TUSCANY

Tuscany is mixing it up again in October.  10x points continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Wingo remains on Tuesdays and rules are the same as I gave last month.  However, there are no gift card days this month.

Some Thursdays are days for free gifts if you get a mailer (11^th and 25^th) – or you can earn the gift with 300 points.  On the 4^th and 18th you can get a 6-pack of beer for 300 points, limit of 4 per customer.

Saturdays are called Mystery Free Play Days, described as “your chance to win up to $500.”   (Doesn’t specify a minimum.) They say it is pre-loaded to your account so I don’t know if this would be available for players who just join the club this month or if you had to have an account before October 1st.  Ask this question if you join this month.

PALMS

The “Play, Earn, and Win” promotion continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with the usual earn-stuff option.   From the 9^th to the end of the month, every Tuesday there is a Swipe and Win promo that doesn’t require any earned points.  And there are cash drawings every Friday and Saturday nights.

Here’s a sad note for a lot of us:  Today (September 30) was the last day for Gardunos.  It closes tomorrow and will be replaced with a” sports bar that will appeal to women.”  Bet it doesn’t attract me, but then I’m not in the age group the Palms is wooing these days!

ELLIS ISLAND

A discouraging change here for a lot of us.  The 9/6 JoB in the bank of video poker machines near the players club desk has been downgraded to 9/5 at all the levels, from 50-cents to $5.

Another change, this one good:  the BBQ restaurant has moved to an area beside the sports book.  Hope they leave the booths in the old location so there is a place to sit when we have a slice of pizza or a sandwich from the Boardhouse.  I hate having to eat at a dirty machine!

GOLD COAST

Check out Scot’s bonus-point list for lots of October goodies here.  There are more than what were mentioned in the mailers.  And remember, sometimes there have been last-minute additions advertised in the Sunday newspaper.

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That’s all for now.  If you know more good – or bad – news, put it in the “Comments.”

No, it doesn’t have a hotel.  But they will put up out-of-town players in various hotels in the area, including downtown Chicago.  We are staying at a Marriott Courtyard about 20-25 minutes from the casino.

We will not have time on this trip to stop at too many casinos since our main purpose is to visit friends and relatives.  We did stay two nights at the Council Bluffs Harrah’s in Iowa, mainly to rest up from two long days of travel.  And we will be staying 4 nights here in Hammond.  But then we will be heading to the Indianapolis area where most of Brad’s family and some of our old friends live.  Plus we will be visiting the county fair in Connersville.  If you have been reading the Brad stories, you will recall that this was a very important summer event in his youth.

Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon Offers Free Grub

Show your Seven Stars card at the Victorian Café and you and your party eat free!  There doesn’t seem to be any dollar limit, and you order off the regular menu.  Bill’s is located across from Caesars Palace and next to the Flamingo.  As always, because policies can change on a moment’s notice, be sure to confirm this offer with the host/hostess before being seated – and remember to tip accordingly!  Bill’s is owned by Caesars Entertainment and considered a “casino partner”, but does not participate in the Total Rewards program.

I just called and they told me there were no limits for the size of your party or the amount of the bill.

Even discounting those last two very lucky hits, we have found it a significant addition to our casino profit down through the years, worth planning our schedule so we can be there most Fridays, which is the only day the promotion is offered.  It also has been worth the effort we put in several years ago to change all four of our government checks from direct deposit to mailed  paper checks.

However, I have some current news that  the government is going to cut off this benefit we have by requiring that we receive all our retirement payments (SS,  VA, and civil service) by direct deposit or a debit card.  Fortunately, existing beneficiaries who currently receive payments by paper check will have until March 1, 2013 to switch to electronic payments.  For new enrollees, the start date is March 1, 2011.

I really can’t complain about this change.  It is supposed to save the government about 300 million in the first five years – and I’m all for saving taxpayer money.  And we will still have some non-government checks to cash once in awhile.  But we will certainly miss this “government benefit”!

The Palms gift card days are only Monday, Wednesday, Friday – and if it is similar to the November promotion, you must pick up your earned gift cards on the day you earn the required points,  from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

There are 5 levels:  $5, $15, $25, $50, and $100 and you are limited to one card in each level.  It takes more points on VP than on slots to earn specific cards.  You need to stop at the desk (at the edge of the food court) BEFORE you start playing and pick up a sheet that lists the cards that are offered and how many points you need to earn to get each one.  Last month there was a large variety of cards available -Visa,  Macy’s, Sears, Best Buy, Lowe’s, various restaurants, etc. – but not every card on the list is available every day since they run out and have to re-stock another day.  One good thing is that they don’t take your points when you redeem for a card – you can save them and use them for the regular free play.

Tuscany’s gift-card earning days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, from 5:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m..  It takes 1000 points ($1000 coin-in – slots or VP) to earn one $10 gift card, from a variety of department stores, gasoline, or grocery stores.  Limit 4 cards per day or 12 for the 3 days of accumulation, but all cards must be picked up by end of day Thursday of that week.

If any of you have done either one of these promotions, feel free to add in the Comments any details that would help others be more informed and/or forewarned!

Harrah’s Laughlin NOW INCLUDED In the Great Gift Wrap Up!!!  You haven’t missed out on any of your play at Harrah’s Laughlin as earnings have been retroactive since the beginning of the year!! The earning period is right up to December 6th when the last GGWU event ends in Las Vegas.

Rules and dates when you can shop are at the Wrap Up Web site.  (Although the Web site hasn’t included the Laughlin addition yet.)