Question of the Day - 11 March 2013

We ran the this recent Reader Poll in light of a couple of people informing us that there wasn't a single offer in this year's Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book that they would contemplate using, which flummoxed us somewhat, since there's such a range of offers in this year's package, from multiple buffet discounts, both high-end and bargain, to some popular (and in several instances new-to-the-MRB) fine-dining establishments, not to mention great deals on accommodation, plus more gambling bonuses than we've had in recent years, in addition to savings on attractions, a really cool spa, and the return of the exclusive LVA $50-off deal at the Palms that's redeemable against multiple options and more than pays for an annual subscription in one hit -- as do numerous other offers, if redeemed to maximum advantage. So we were interested to dig deeper.

From feedback we receive, including a previous poll we ran, we're fully aware that for some people, the coupon package is not their primary reason for joining LVA. For some subscribers, the member-only forums are the key consideration, while others love the newsletter. We understand that some people simply don't like using coupons, while lots of readers wrote in with totally valid points for not signing up or re-subscribing. For example, some of you no longer visit Las Vegas (for reasons including airfare hikes, the increased availability of gambling destinations closer to home, and the shift of culture in this city over the years, etc., etc.). For some people, so much is comped that they don't have any need of rooms, meals, or show discounts, etc. Many of those who wrote in made the same point, regarding traveling solo and not being able to use 2-for-1 offers. We appreciate this predicament and each year we make a major effort to obtain as many deals as we can that work for the single traveler, but we're at the mercy of many vendors' prejudice against this policy, although we'll continue to keep pushing (this year's collection of deals includes a significant number that are good for people who come here alone, and more than we've been able to score in some years past).

As we prefaced this with, we accept all the aforementioned reasons as being legitimate and understandable, and we appreciate all those who took the time to explain their thinking, much of which (in particular the whole twofer dilemma) gives us good ammunition when negotiating better offers in the future. However, when we poured through the 200-or-so email responses that we received expanding on your voting choices, we confess to being taken aback, in some instances genuinely confused, and in others just plain amused, regarding the points raised. Hence, we decided to share some of the choicer comments in today's QoD, with our responses. Please don't take offense at any of our comments, some of which are strictly tongue-in-cheek and are merely us taking a rare opportunity to have a giggle.

• "Was a member years ago, but didn't renew for some unknown reason. Continued to get the QOD emails though, and decided to re-subscribe this year. Have ordered some books over the years, and always looked forward to the daily email. See ya soon when I stop by the office to pick up my coupon book! Great publication!" [Ed: Well, we can't argue with the unknown, but we're glad your alter ego came to the fore again. Welcome back!]

• "The reason? Procrastination. I will join! [Ed: We respect your honesty, being arch procrastinators ourselves! But please, do join -- we think you'll be happy you did.]

• "I love reading the Advisor every month and even though our rooms and food are comped -- well not all the food -- we still find items in the MRB to use. Please keep up the good work!" [Ed: That's the spirit! And thanks, we will.]

• "I attempted to use a coupon for the M buffet a number of years ago and it was declined. Don't think that it was an error on my part, or on LVA's; I simply think the problem was with a new/inexperienced receptionist. This was at a time when the Advisor was giving this buffet a lot of public love. It left a sour taste with me. Wasn't going to make a fuss. Don't come to Vegas for hassles--come to Vegas get away from hassles (partially). [Ed: While we can understand your frustration in this situation, it seems odd to let one isolated incident sour you against the whole program forever, particularly when you acknowledge that it wasn't our fault. Oh well!] I also have the impression (mind you, this is a personal impression only, and I could be wrong) that LVA is designed to appeal to real cheap visitors. I have no issue with frugal, or value for the expenditure, but I am turned off by real cheap people who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Very sorry, but I think that LVA is too concerned with serving/placating really cheap people." [Ed: Now you really have us confused! For one thing, we wouldn't consider the House of Blues Gospel Brunch (nor brunch at Red Rock or Green Valley Ranch, for that matter), nor the J.W. Marriott spa, nor the Foundation Room, nor Austins Steakhouse, nor Casa di Amore, nor the entire Palms, nor... (okay, Okay, you get the point) to be "low-rent." And secondly, unless you're making the point that you would personally feel tainted simply by belonging to a program, some of whose subscribers might have different financial circumstances or priorities than yours, we're not sure how or why these presumed cheapskates would affect your experience. It's not as if LVA subscribers are segregated in separate areas of the restaurant and forced to interact with one other - you'll never even know who is or who isn't!)

• "My wife will let me go to Vegas only every other year." [Ed: Well, there's a simple solution to that problem... We jest!]

• "I don't purchase the Member Rewards Book because I tend to visit between Christmas and New Year - just as most of your coupons expire!" [Ed: Um, here's another one that bewildered us. Virtually all of our deals expire on Dec. 31, and while Christmas Day may be a blackout date for a few of the offers, we're not sure how redeeming a coupon in the week between Dec. 26 and 31 is any different than for those people who visit once a year in the summer, for example, and use the deals between July 26 and 31. You can easily get more than your money's worth out of the book in a mere weekend, and when that weekend is really doesn't matter, unless we're missing something here?]

• "LVA's cash value to me decreased as the match plays dried up. The customer service from the staff has always been excellent, but the owner seems to have no clue and this has even gotten worse in recent years. The forums are really a train wreck. However, who doesn't like to watch a train wreck? So I signed up again for another year." [Ed: Ha! You had us rolling around on the floor with this one! Anthony was particularly tickled.]

• "I wish every one of my paid subscriptions to an organization or publication gave the return on investment that LVA gives! If someone can't get their value of their annual subscription, they are just being lazy!" [Ed: This is Anthony's mom writing in, right? Just kidding. Thanks for a point well made, though, whoever you are :-)]

• "I was a member but when my membership lapsed, I found it difficult to reestablish the account without having to make phone calls. I would prefer to perform the entire process online." [Ed: Here's another response that confused us. You should be able to sign up without difficulty at ShopLVA.com so we're not sure what the problem was. If you'd care to write in with more information, we'll try to get to the bottom of it, as the vast majority of our customers purchase online with no issue.]

• "I renew for the newsletter. I don't really care too much about the coupon book. I do go to the places in the book, but I really don't want to carry the book around with me. I typically will use one, or maybe two coupons, then just throw the book away, or leave it somewhere. [Ed: Ooh, we should turn this into a treasure hunt for the cheapskates referenced above. Give us some clues as to where you leave it and see what kind of a frenzy we can stir up!] I can see the point of needing to remove the coupons in front of someone - they want to make sure they are not copied - but who wants to carry this book around with them all day? I'd be more inclined to use the coupons if I could tear out the ones I want for that day, and just put those in my wallet. [Ed: The policy is for the exact reason that you state and it's really no bigger than a check book. Have you considered buying a bigger purse?! Again, just kidding, but we have made a considered effort to keep it as petite and discreet as possible.]

• "I don't know why I don't join. Maybe I need a personal email request to join from you or maybe I need some kind of incentive. Buy for this year and get 50% off next year, or a free-month extension? I don't know." [Ed: No, we don't know, either, but if it would tip the balance, we could have Anthony write you a personal note, although we should warn you that he doesn't have very good handwriting... As to an incentive, we figure paying $37 for the chance to save hundreds is a pretty good one already, but maybe that's just us?]