Gaming Loyalty Programs - Golden Nugget Atlantic City (formerly Trump Marina)

(Calling the forum regulars and veterans, baccarat_king and Mr. Vker especially ^)

So the Trump Marina property was sold to Landry's and now is a Golden Nugget. I hadn't been up to AC since the summer and at the time I held off on actually going there because I wanted to see the casino after all the refurbishments, revamp, what not. I might give it a sneak peak in October (for a possible dinner party deal with friends in December). Some questions that range all across the board for anyone that may know-

1. How is their loyalty program compared to TR and Borgata? I have seen some rumors that they've essentially lined themselves up with Trump One to try and hold the customer base.

2. What is the casino like now? When I gambled here (as Trump Marina) it always seemed very open and a little bit bleak, probably because of the lack of people. Have they changed it over to a more modern look like The Borgata or is it another theme?

3. Any insights on the new restaurants?

4. As I am a huge Texas Hold'em player, I'd love to hear the details about their new poker room that supposedly will give both Borgata and Harrah's Resort a run for their money?

5. It's always been confusing to me the outlook of AC from MGM and Pinnacle dropping their projects, to the Revel being delayed and possibly finished next summer and then just the onslaught of casinos being opened in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia. Can this casino be a factor, not just in AC but in the five state area I just mentioned?

I am a big Harrah's Resort guy and if Golden Nugget can do anything to reverse some of the negative trends with regards to loyalty programs, I'm all ears.

(I've always been ball and chained to Harrah's <and may let my Borgata Black Label lapse- WHERE ARE MY FREE ROOMS BORG*Y?> because about 70% of my gambling is Texas Hold'em poker and the Trump Taj Mahal has always been hands-off unless friends ask. For my gambling purposes, it's awesome that the Golden Nugget will have a new poker room.)

Thanks for any input.

I take the Jitney to get from "downtown" casinos to Harrahs or Borgata. When Trump Marina changed to Golden Nugget, more people got on and off at GN than previously; now that the "novelty" has worn off, few people board (or exit) the Jitneys at the GN stop. On Friday. 10/7, the area for valet was extremely quiet--few cars and people.

I take the Jitney to get from "downtown" casinos to Harrahs or Borgata. When Trump Marina changed to Golden Nugget, more people got on and off at GN than previously; now that the "novelty" has worn off, few people board (or exit) the Jitneys at the GN stop. On Friday. 10/7, the area for valet was extremely quiet--few cars and people.

According to some friends, I heard that parts of the casino are under construction or being re-modeled, currently. I should hope all the novelty hasn't already worn off...

Friends of ours were TM's top tiered white card holders for years, and stopped going to the new GN this summer, gave them chances & reasons to keep them. The place is still doing renovation, constructions begin at 7am on weekdays (get the idea, rise-n-shine,) poor customer service, worst comps than before, shops closed, former buffet on main (3rd) floor is now a combined buffet, cafe & what-not, chinese restaurant closed, and tighter slots - indifferent staff at check-in and on the floor, including their executive/vip host - many ex-employees were laid off/gone/retired/given the pink slips, and it's mostly a drinking, younger & noisey/troubled crowd.

Read a post on tripadvisor last week about how much of a bargain it's becoming, priceline a room for as little as $35 weekday night - can't even do that with the 1 star motel like Econo Lodge on Rt.40 or the Pike along Abescon. The makeover isn't over yet, so who knows .... meanwhile, most of the loyal customer base are gone for good (we haven't been at that place in over 1.5 years now) It's safe to assume - go elsewhere if you must head to AC. Our friends are now playing up in CT on weekends, and even without higher tier status, they're surprised one weekend with a 1000 sf suite for a 2 night stay - just for playing penny/nicket slots for hours, not bad, huh.

Friends of ours were TM's top tiered white card holders for years, and stopped going to the new GN this summer, gave them chances & reasons to keep them. The place is still doing renovation, constructions begin at 7am on weekdays (get the idea, rise-n-shine,) poor customer service, worst comps than before, shops closed, former buffet on main (3rd) floor is now a combined buffet, cafe & what-not, chinese restaurant closed, and tighter slots - indifferent staff at check-in and on the floor, including their executive/vip host - many ex-employees were laid off/gone/retired/given the pink slips, and it's mostly a drinking, younger & noisey/troubled crowd.

Read a post on tripadvisor last week about how much of a bargain it's becoming, priceline a room for as little as $35 weekday night - can't even do that with the 1 star motel like Econo Lodge on Rt.40 or the Pike along Abescon. The makeover isn't over yet, so who knows .... meanwhile, most of the loyal customer base are gone for good (we haven't been at that place in over 1.5 years now) It's safe to assume - go elsewhere if you must head to AC. Our friends are now playing up in CT on weekends, and even without higher tier status, they're surprised one weekend with a 1000 sf suite for a 2 night stay - just for playing penny/nicket slots for hours, not bad, huh.

This is some good information. Thanks for the heads up. Well there's always the Revel opening up in a few months.