Once again I must stress that this “monthly report” is not a comprehensive one by any means. From the beginning I have emphasized that I am trying to help people who don’t get mailers, especially from Vegas locals casinos, find out about promotions that are not widely publicized elsewhere. I don’t have the time or energy to check out every casino in Vegas or keep track of all the “perks” each of them offer. With casinos changing benefits and promotions constantly, this would take a large team working night and day. However, in past reports I have recommended quite a few Web sites that will help you keep up. I suggest you go back and bookmark some of those resourses if you didn’t do so earlier. Also I usually don’t list multiple point days since I have told you to check Scot’s list for these, not just at the first of the month but often since he notes changes and additions whenever they occur all during the month. If you think I have missed some important promotion or benefit, don’t waste your time and energy getting on my case, but just add the information in the Comments. We’re all in this together! I really appreciate those of you who have contributed very useful information, some of which was new and helpful to me personally! I am still learning, as are all wise gamblers.
By the way, if you don’t like crowds, you might want to avoid casinos on Mother’s Day, May 12. Seems even people who neglect their mother all year decide to take her out to dinner that day. Almost never any food bargains that day and the restaurant lines are out the door. My daughter doesn’t live in town but if she did, she would definitely know better than to invite me out to dinner that day!!
HARD ROCK
WARNING: We no longer play at the Hard Rock, but I hear that they recently – very quietly, with no public notice – slashed the worth of their slot club points in half. There seems to be a way to salvage the original value of your old points, but you need to go to the players club desk to find out how to do this.
This property does seem to be stepping up their promotions, including multipliers on Sundays and Mondays this month, food specials, drawings, and gift days. If you haven’t been there for a while, you might want to check it out.
PALMS
The “Play, Earn, and Win” promotion continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – but the good news all this month is you don’t have to settle for junk…oops, I mean “stuff.” The former “gift days” are “free slot play days” in May. The mailer says you can “earn over $200 in free slot play each day and you keep the points!” You need to check at the Promotion Center for the particulars before you start your play since I do not know yet what the various levels will be.
A mini earn-and-swipe promotion continues on Tuesdays. And their usual drawings continue on Fridays and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., from April 27 through June 1.
A couple of changes were noted in the May mailer. Your Club Palms players card expiration date has been extended to August 2013. (I’m guessing some slot club changes might be coming then – a casino event that seems to never be good news for players – but we’ll have to wait and hope!) Also, you now have to pick up your Megabucks and Wheel of Fortune free pull coupons at the Promotions Center.
The new room for High Limit slots is open now, near the Promotions Center.
TUSCANY
10x-point days continue in May on Mondays and Fridays. Pull tabs also return, on the 8th and the 22th. Same rules – 1000 base points = 1 pull tab, with a max of 4 per day. (Recently Brad’s all four tabs were for $15 – a surprise since often all four are the minimum $10!) Mystery Free Play days are on the 14th and 28th. Gift days are on the 2nd, 16th, and 30th.
The Wal-Mart gift card ($10) promotion continues every Saturday in May. Same as with pull tabs, 1000 base points = 1 card, max 4 per person. There is a 2-step redemption process: Voucher must be picked up same day at the players club, but you must take voucher to the gift shop the same day earned or the next day, Sunday, to actually pick up your gift card.
Did you know the gift shop carries a small selection of electronic items, including iPads? However, if they don’t have the exact model you want, you can special order many items, even including large TV’s. Prices are double or more than what you would pay elsewhere but if you have tons of points, this may be a good way to use them up.
THE “COAST CASINOS
One player reported that Sam’s Town, Orleans, and Gold Coast all appear to now limit VP multipliers to the first 10,000 points. He also reported Suncoast appears to have a higher limit. We only play at Gold Coast and I can verify that 10,000 number for there. However, if you play at any of the other three, you might want to verify that information to be sure it hasn’t changed.
Ellis Island
This casino runs a lot of promotions, including food specials, drawings, and many multiplier days. This month I noticed a “Swipe Every Day” promo, where you can “win cash, free play, scratch cards, patio sets, BBQ grills, and more!” First swipe is free, but you can get a second one by earning 100 same-day base points. As usual with ALL casino promotions, you need to check the details at the slot club desk.
HI Jean,
My wife and I just returned from four weeks in Vegas. We have always loved the Gambler’s Special ($7.77) at the Hard Rock and would go several times when in Vegas. This time we had three friends from Canada as well. The waitress told us we had to have a player’s card (OK, but we also had to order a drink!) Coffee is $3.99, but that is what we all ordered for after dinner. My steak was so tough that I couldn’t eat it. The others complained about the steak but managed to eat it, although my wife gave me some of hers. They removed my steak from the bill, but with the drink order, the Special is no longer a bargain. (you can order a coffee at the slots or tables)
We will not be back!
The Play, Earn and Win at the Palms is worth 0.25% on video poker, with various fixed redemption levels from $3 up to $200.
A friend wrote about her Hard Rock experience: “One does not have to go to the desk to double their old points-merely swipe at a kiosk and double old points will be an option. I did mine the last time I was there.”