Why Do Players Cards Suddenly Have Expiration Dates?

I’ve noticed that recently casino player cards have added an expiration date, which they had never done before. Why is this being done? Does the expiration date mean that the card is not earning any rewards after the expiration date? I come to Vegas once a year. I realize I can get the card renewed. I am a Pearl-level customer at MGM, to get free parking. Will the parking gate allow me to use an expired player card (before I can go into the casino to get it renewed)?

[Editor's Note: David McKee handled the research and writing for this question and the conclusions are his.]

As far as earning MGM rewards or getting parking perks with an expired players card, we suspected that the answer is “No.”

Then, MGM Resorts International’s Krystal Webb didn't disabuse us of that suspicion. She noted, “Pearl and above levels do expire, which isn’t new. Tiers are evaluated each year on February 1, based on Tier Credits earned the previous year. If a member maintains their Pearl-or-above status, they just need to go to a desk or kiosk to print their card with an updated expiration.”

We did a spot-check of several other major casinos in the Las Vegas area, bypassing downtown's and most of the second-tier locals properties.

Wynn Resorts cards expire only for the highest-level card holders (Platinum). Points at all levels zero out on an annual basis, but other perks do not.

Fontainebleau cards also expire annually, but when we sought more information, we were routed to a voicemail box that was full.

Given a choice of eight Caesars Entertainment casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, we tried the top of the food chain, Caesars Palace. The outcome wasn't auspicious; our query was referred to a website. No human interaction was possible and the corporate phones weren’t being manned on either of the afternoons when we called.

M Resort, the westernmost outpost of Penn Entertainment, has a card whose tier points sunset every year. In all other respects, it is open-ended.

Red Rock Resort was our guinea pig for Station Casinos (where our PR queries fell upon deaf ears). The Station card doesn't carry an expiration date—but your account does, if it goes unused for a period of time.

Boyd Gaming loyalty cards also are open-ended. Caveat emptor: Your tier level can be unilaterally switched on you, depending on how large or small you played in the previous year. Elaborates Boyd Gaming spokesman David Strow, “A player can continue to use their old card, even after their tier changes, as our system will recognize the customer's new tier even if the card doesn’t reflect it. Having said this, most players prefer to get a new card each year that reflects their current tier level.”

The Venetian/Palazzo megalith has a very player-friendly policy whereby your card doesn't expire. However, make sure you have new Venetian Rewards and not phased-out Grazie Rewards (which went away with Las Vegas Sands’ ownership). There is still time to switch, we were told.

Other casinos whose loyalty cards we were informed don't expire are Sahara, Rio, and Treasure Island (whose corporate family includes Circus Circus).

As for the "why" in all of this, nobody was talking — or it was above their pay grade. Our best surmise (and it’s more than a guess) is that it’s another triumph for the bean counters.

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Donzack Dec-20-2024

Caesars

Many moons ago I was waiting in line for valet to park my car at Caesars when I noticed a four foot sign that valet was full except for top tier card holders. I noticed a Grizwold station wagon in front of me loaded with family and enough gear for a long trip. Dad was outside the vehicle m-fing the valet because he didn’t have a seven star card. Just driving from Chicago I don’t keep player’s cards on my person so I reached into my shaving kit while the valet took unnecessary verbal abuse in 100’ heat. Luckily I had an old card that worked.

David Miller Dec-20-2024

Same old collusion shit

   Almost all of the casinos in Vegas have the same bean counting mindset - keep visitors in the dark as they routinely wipe out points and tier status of the infrequent visitor as a way to remove earned benefits which end up being more profits for the casinos. The casinos want the pigeons (visitors) to continue coming to Vegas and paying outrageous amounts for food and lodging , while continuing to devalue the payback of the various table games and slots/video poker. If you educate yourself and visit Vegas routinely, these casinos now use software to track your play and will devalue your play if they determine that you are classified (by their standards) as an "advantage player".  They do not want intelligent players - they want ignorant players who spend their money foolishly.

Kevin Lewis Dec-20-2024

I wonder how long before...

Some poor "loyal" putz who infrequently but nonetheless regularly visits his "favorite" casino and dumps a few grand each time...this sap tells himself, well, I may have lost enough here to buy a new Tesla, but at least I'm Plutonium Level and I get free parking...then BEEEEP! Red light..."CARD EXPIRED." Valet: "I'm sorry, sir, your player's card is expired, that'll be $24 to park."

Headline: DISGRUNTLED MAN FROM INDIANA BURNS DOWN VEGAS CASINO

Larry Stone Dec-20-2024

very simple

it's all very simple.  the players card doesn't expire.  the upper tier levels expire if you don't have enough points from the previous year to maintain the level.

Larry Meginnis Dec-20-2024

Perks for Higher Tiers

Our local casino gives premium drinks for certain levels and they ask for your card every time. If its expired they wont allow the premium drinks. I'm sure it similar for other perks at higher levels. It's their way of assuring you still have that tier level and are therefore entitled to those perks.

Lucky Dec-20-2024

Caesars

Caesars resets the points to 0 on Jan 1.  Your tier status for 2025 is based on your tier point total from 2024.  I thought that they all did that.  It would be nice to have a lifetime status, which at this point is no status.

Randall Ward Dec-20-2024

expiration

my inside source (buffet cashier) said it was to keep people from using the Platinum line with old cards.

Raymond Dec-20-2024

Nothing New

My "favorite" experience with expired cards was about a decade ago, with Caesars.  I had a rotten flight in and just wanted to check in at the Flamingo, get my key, go to my room, unpack, take a quick nap and shower.  Grind through the line--"Oh sir, you're [whatever the second level is], you check in over there [points to separate room].  Fine, I go in there, only one agent on duty, two idiots in front of me who didn't understand plain English and weren't foreigners.

I finally get to the front, and the agent says my Caesars card is expired. Have to go to the desk for that.  I wait in line, get a new card, go back to that room, wait, wait, wait.  "I'm sorry sir, you're now back at Gold status, you have to check in at the main line."

Go back outside, grind my way through the line, finally get my room and key.  Well over an hour wasted when they could have simply checked me in the first time.

Linda Davey Dec-20-2024

Rampart

Played a promotion with an expired card this year.  They wouldn't honor it.  Walked.  Won't go back.

Pamela Burke Dec-20-2024

Wake up!

Casinos are there for ONE reason. Your money. They don’t care how they get it. Slots, sports, tables, parking , resort fees, food, etc……Remember years ago, casinos handed out “stuff”. Those days are gone, folks. Expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed.

Michael Zidik Dec-20-2024

expired cards

Most of the non-basic Atlantic City casino player's cards expire. The basic, lower "entry level" cards do not.

Hoppy Dec-20-2024

Half Full

I always keep my Cincinnati Hard Rock Unity card half full. I thank you

Kevin Rough Dec-20-2024

Stations Card

My Stations card has an expiration date.  It expires on the 31st of this month.

O2bnVegas Dec-20-2024

Perks expire, not cards

Wynn's highest tier is Black, not Platinum.  

Expiry dates on players club cards is not new.  Certain perks may expire if the points didn't get earned by Dec. or January to maintain a tier level and the associated perk such as parking, lounge access, etc., but the card still works for play, records points during play.

I used to receive new cards in the mail from casinos if I achieved a higher tier in mid year, but not in a long time now.

Michael Kwiatkowski Dec-21-2024

No Longer a 24 hour Town

Add forget about trying to "renew" after 9 or 10 o'clock at night.  As a night shift weekend worker I come to town Sunday and Monday nights and sleep during the day.  After midnight can't redeem coupons, get a new card, and can barely find a decent meal anymore.  Fer cryin' out loud...  No more 24 hour fun.  Forget the strip, I just go to 4Q, play JoB, and drink Topo Chico water.

Parrothead Dec-21-2024

Keep using old cards

Aa long as it keeps adding up points I'll keep using ca players card with an expired date, even if I have the new, updated one. This way if I leave a card in a machine or lose one the finder of the card will think it's useless and won't be tempted to use mine for parking perks or to try to drain my comps. I'll always use my updated card for redeeming comps etc.

O2bnVegas Dec-21-2024

machines print cards, no waiting

I recently discovered the 'machines' that print out the players card.  Stick your DL in, it comes back out in a few seconds, and in another quick second or three your new(est) players card comes out.  

No waiting at players club to get a new card.  I've done this at Caesars in AC and Beau Rivage in Biloxi MS.

Candy

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