This question, and others like it, is on many Las Vegas and casino visitors’ minds. So we asked our slot club expert, Jeffrey Compton, of CDC Consulting, to weigh in on it. Here’s what Jeff has to say.
Years ago when times were good, I advised players that there’s never a good reason to leave cashback points or high comp balances in your players club accounts. Even if you average four or six visits to Las Vegas a year, life can hand you any number of circumstances in which you can’t return, of if you can, you don’t make it to the casino with your points for more than a year –- thus you could lose everything in the account.
And considering the current economic trouble, my advice goes double (I’d say triple, but it doesn’t rhyme).
You should never leave the casino without clearing out your cashback (or free play) balances. You should also try to keep your comp points low enough to cover no more than the next two trips (or if you’re a local, the next two months worth of dining). If you have super-high balances, check with the club to determine your alternatives (store gift cards, gas coupons, travel possibilities, etc.).
Remember, you don’t own the points and the casino can wipe them out at any time –- even without a bankruptcy filing or closing the doors.
