Question of the Day - 12 November 2013

Ah, yes, the question on everyone's lips. Well, lots of people's. And the answer is, probably, but it's still too soon to make any promises.

For those of you who have no idea what we're talking about, for the past few years we have run a special offer at the end of the year to take advantage of excess Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book inventory and extend a three-month "trial membership" offer to non-members so they can get a taste of what they're missing out on (regular annual membership starts at $37). We also allow existing members to take advantage of the offer, as a way of saying thank you for your support, so if you happen to be making a trip to Las Vegas toward the end of the year, you get a second shot at using your favorite discounts and deals in the MRB.

The package usually takes two forms: For a discounted rate (last year it was $12), you get the 2013 Member Rewards Book, plus three months of access to exclusive online member-only content (three issues of the monthly newsletter, access to the awesome Question of the Day Archives, and access to the member message boards); OR, you can purchase a package that includes the three-month LVA trial PLUS next year's American Casino Guide, which last year we vended for the knock-down all-in bargain price of $25. (The person who submitted this question was slightly confused -- there's no obligation to purchase a 2014 membership, although once you've tasted and tried, we think you'll want to; it sounds like you're confusing this with the optional American Casino Guide component -- see below.)

The only "catches," such as they are, include:

• You have to come and pick up your purchase -- whichever of the two options you choose -- in person at our office (located just behind the Rio), since we couldn't extend such a great deal if we had to ship it out to you, plus the postal service being what it is, you might not receive your MRB in time to take advantage of it.
• A few of the offers in the MRB are no longer valid, for "attritional" reasons beyond our control (i.e., shows have a habit of closing, casinos get sold and discontinue deals offered in their former incarnations, and so on). That's inevitable, but there haven't been too many major casualties this year, so there are still well over 100 valid coupons to take advantage of.
• A good number of offers are only good through Dec. 30, so if you're not arriving until New Year's Eve, you'll find a more deals that you can't use.
• Obviously, with only around a month of the year remaining when we run this offer, time is limited, so you'll have to gauge how many coupons you think you can use during your trip, but if you only take advantage of the all-purpose $50 "Master Comp" at the Palms (good for use against your room charge, bar bill, at the buffet, coffee shop, NOVE Italiano, etc.), you're already a big winner.

Again, we haven't yet decided if we'll run the deal this year, but a decision is imminent and it's most likely a go, so stay tuned for updates. Last year it ran from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22, so anticipate a similar window in 2013. If you're planning a year-end trip to Las Vegas or -- even better -- if you actually live here, then it's a great opportunity to try out LVA membership if you've been on the fence about it. We're pretty certain that you won't be disappointed and will only kick yourself for not joining before!