I must continue to alert advantage-searching players that you can’t just depend on first-of-the-month mailers and research. Gold Coast is a good example, with a bonus promotion rolled out the second week this month: 11x reels and video poker every Sunday through Thursday in September. This was not mentioned in the regular first-of-the-month September mailer you might have received or on their website if you checked September 1.
So how would you find out about it? Well, although I am in GA on vacation at the moment, I always read the posts on the vpFREE forum and someone shared that info there. They also posted a special link, which was good info because it didn’t seem to come up under the regular promotional list on their website. Others saw it announced on the big marquee in front of the casino. And finally, wise scouts found it because they check Scot’s bonus point list often, where there can be updates all month as more players send in scouting reports.
Here is other news I have found by sitting at my computer, scouring many sources I have been recommending for years. Some of this may be new information or just new to me – and perhaps to you.
Boyd Gaming – New terms and conditions in their players club rules specify that after 6 months of no activity all your B Connected points will disappear. This is an important warning for those out-of-towners who don’t come to Las Vegas often or don’t play at Boyd properties regularly: Don’t try to stockpile your points! You need to check the expiration rules at all the casinos where you play.
The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod, formerly the Stratosphere, Casino, Hotel & Tower – A new-member sign-up bonus. Earn 300 points within the first 24 hours of membership and receive one buffet voucher. Earn 600 and get a second one. Promotion good through the end of the year. (Hint: when a casino changes ownership or introduces a new players club, this is a good time to check for new promotions.)
South Point – Seniors 50+ can get $4 movie admission all day on three days: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday – not just on Senior Mondays.
Sahara Casino – After 5 years of being named the SLS, that good old name is back!
Technical note: Some are still having problems subscribing to this blog. We are still working on it and hopefully will have a good fix soon. I’ll let you know. In the meantime check the LVA homepage frequently.
I was a huge fan and loyal customer of Boyd for many years, in large part because they had always been good to those of us on the lower end of the budget spectrum. Then last year they revamped the players card rules and did a 180 degree turnabout.
Ruby level players earn no points until they reach the next level. They don’t even get that whomping $1 discount for the buffet (which, in the case of Fremont, isn’t even very good). Video poker players at any level get almost no points. Then there’s that whole business about losing your points in 6 months. Not everyone can afford to go to Vegas every few months.
They’ve made it clear they don’t want my business so I no longer play, eat, or stay at any of their properties.
I gave up on the Boyd casinos when they decided to exclude lower level players from promotions. The six month expiration is just another reason to play elsewhere. We used to play heavily at Main Street and Sams Town casinos because we really like the atmosphere. However since we only visit for two or three weeks a year it makes no sense to play at those anymore. It’s hard to believe that marketing only to “locals” that play frequently is good strategy but time will tell. Meanwhile we enjoy playing at Tuscany, M, South Point, Rampart and the “Stations” (except Palms) casinos. Not sure who Palms is marketing to, but that’s another story.
If this is true, it’s bye-bye Boyd for my winter stays in Vegas. Fortunately I used up most of my points before I left.
We lost all of our Boyd points because we have not been to Vegas since New year’s. But we have played at one of their new casinos in Indiana on B connected card but their cards are not yet connected to Vegas yet . They were suppose to have been connected last spring but we’re not therefore I don’t think we should have lost points. Going to Vegas in October
Your noting of Boyd’s 6 month time frame is appreciated. What I don’t understand why Boyd and all of the other casinos do not allow out of towners and out of staters a ONE year time frame for account activity. In the future, I will cash out ALL of my points each and every time I visit Vegas. Talk about cheap and unsavory.