Thanks all, my post here and Vegas Message Board both seem to have garnered more positive replies than the your miles may vary type replies I was expecting. Almost everyone seems to agree if you pay a few bucks for the room, like 5 dollars plus resort fees, and it is 14 days or less, it should count. Even if I don't try it early January, I certainly will soon, and I may ask for credit from my stays earlier this year, though I don't think I'll hit enough nights to earn anything new, I can at least see if they indeed count them.
Less replies on the effect on comped rooms or discounted rooms in the future, but general consensus is that yes, I'll royally screw up my offers if I do stay a week or two but only bring my standard, long weekend budget. Choices...