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Old Nov 1, 2011, 6:41 am
  #1  
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Best Ways to Spend 120000 TotalRewards Points

As promised, Caesars just posted our Visit 6 promo points. Other than the hotel nights, merchandise, and cash-out options, does anyone have some ideas about ways to maximize their exchange value?
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Old Nov 1, 2011, 9:13 am
  #2  
 
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Food!

Now my wife and I can afford the Bally's Sterling Brunch some Sunday in Las Vegas! I won't dare tell her what it cost (if we were paying real money for it) as then she won't enjoy it!

Also:

Breakfast at LeVillage buffet at Paris (but lunch/dinner not so good there)
World Carnival buffet at Rio; maybe give the Seafood buffet another chance
Spice Market buffet at Planet Hollywood

And then there's all the fancy (and not-so-fancy) restaurants ....

Yummmmmmm!

Last edited by jgxtrav1; Nov 1, 2011 at 9:18 am
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Old Nov 1, 2011, 9:24 am
  #3  
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We've visited the buffets at Rio/Paris/PH. We tried the spread at the M Resort two weeks ago. It left the triumvirate in the dust. Pricey @ $25 pp but IMHO the best in Vegas.
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Old Nov 1, 2011, 1:31 pm
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Originally Posted by sonofzeus
We've visited the buffets at Rio/Paris/PH. We tried the spread at the M Resort two weeks ago. It left the triumvirate in the dust. Pricey @ $25 pp but IMHO the best in Vegas.
Yea, I agree the M is one of the best buffets in Las Vegas (IMHO; in the top 2-3) .... but my Total Rewards points aren't good there!
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Old Nov 2, 2011, 8:15 pm
  #5  
nrr
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Originally Posted by jgxtrav1
Food!

Now my wife and I can afford the Bally's Sterling Brunch some Sunday in Las Vegas! I won't dare tell her what it cost (if we were paying real money for it) as then she won't enjoy it!

Also:

Breakfast at LeVillage buffet at Paris (but lunch/dinner not so good there)
World Carnival buffet at Rio; maybe give the Seafood buffet another chance
Spice Market buffet at Planet Hollywood

And then there's all the fancy (and not-so-fancy) restaurants ....

Yummmmmmm!
The Sterling Brunch has gone down hill over the years (1) instead of "real" Lobster, they now have Lobster tails (generally over-broiled); no more ice cream; the cheese and other selections have also deteriorated. (2) Since it was located in the Steakhouse (wood paneling) or in the adjacent restaurants, even if the food was lowered in quality, this (at least) enhanced the ambiance--a month ago when I ate at the SB, the room where you chose your food (and the overflow area) had the "ambiance" of a cafeteria.
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Old Nov 2, 2011, 8:28 pm
  #6  
nrr
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where to use comp dollars

If you drive a car, you can select #255SHELL (page 15) (this is a Shell gas card) in Total Rewards Gift Catalog, a $25 card "cost" 5000 points. If you fly, you can redeem offer #ZZZZPR620, each 20,000 points gets you $100 in travel credit (you book through Harrahs Travel Service--the trip earns all the perks of a paid flight--miles, elite status etc.) (listed on page 24). These two (while requiring double rc's per $) is still like getting cash. Other casino choices (restaurants, spas etc.) are uses which might not be the "best" available.
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Old Nov 3, 2011, 6:17 pm
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- Harrah's Tahoe, lift tickets for Heavenly
- Red Door Spa, Harrah's Atlantic City (can even use the points for the auto-gratuity); same with Qua at Caesars Atlantic City (you can also refer a friend, and give a friend a 20% discount at Red Door + use points)

or, even though at half-rate, convert the points to a Visa Giftcard at the Total Rewards store (probably the best way to monetize your points).
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Old Nov 4, 2011, 4:46 am
  #8  
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We're considering using half our comps for lodging at the Harrahs Ak-Chin in the spring when baseball returns to the Valley of the Sun.

The Tripadvisor comments about the property are less than stellar.

Can anyone offer verification or a refutation?
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Old Nov 4, 2011, 7:49 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Originally Posted by sonofzeus
We're considering using half our comps for lodging at the Harrahs Ak-Chin in the spring when baseball returns to the Valley of the Sun.

The Tripadvisor comments about the property are less than stellar.

Can anyone offer verification or a refutation?
We stayed at Ak-Chin a couple weeks ago. The new tower is very nice and they've completed renovations on their buffet. All of our food was good and we enjoyed the casino. However, during our stay (and during our last stay in 2010), the fertilizer smell from the nearby fields was unbelievable. I mean so bad at times you couldn't go outside. This may be a seasonal thing so YMMV.
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Old Nov 4, 2011, 8:33 am
  #10  
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Originally Posted by coach_tressel
the fertilizer smell from the nearby fields was unbelievable.
Thanks for the heads-up.

The latest Tripadvisor review included "a strong smell of either new carpet, wallpaper, glue or ???"

Combining these olfactory assaults plus the 39 mile drive to/from PHX put a severe damper on this idea.

Last March, we scored the Country Inn and Suites (Mesa) for $50 per night.
If it's duplicable in 2012, 60000 points exchanged for $300 Harrah's Visa giftcards should cover our lodging.
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Old Nov 4, 2011, 5:36 pm
  #11  
 
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The "fertilizer" smell is from dairy farms in the area, and is year-round, depending on the wind direction. I never smell it inside, but it could be a problem if you want to spend time at the pool.

Although not spectacular, I don't have any complaints about the rooms (I was there last night). The new tower rooms are a bit small, but nicely appointed. I don't smell any "new carpet" smells, but it's now been open for a few months so the smell may have dissipated.
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Old Nov 7, 2011, 12:21 am
  #12  
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Can anyone clarify if Harrah's comps can be used without actual hotel stay?
How does it work?

Somehow in the past all comps i earned i applied at checkout to reduce room charge balance but i rarely stay at harrah's properties these days and i would prefer to use the comps only to cover meals.
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Old Nov 7, 2011, 3:30 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by azepine00
Can anyone clarify if Harrah's comps can be used without actual hotel stay?
How does it work?
I've scoured the TR site for redemption options.

AFAIK to do what you want, you have to first do this:

https://www.totalrewards.com/e-totalrewards/giftcard/
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Old Nov 7, 2011, 3:36 am
  #14  
 
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Originally Posted by sonofzeus
I've scoured the TR site for redemption options.

AFAIK to do what you want, you have to first do this:

https://www.totalrewards.com/e-totalrewards/giftcard/
At Caesars Palace a few weeks ago the TR desk told me that certain restaurants allowed you to pay directly with points which is twice as good as getting a giftcard for the same purpose isn't it?
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Old Nov 7, 2011, 4:08 am
  #15  
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Originally Posted by 3544quebec
At Caesars Palace a few weeks ago the TR desk told me that certain restaurants allowed you to pay directly with points which is twice as good as getting a giftcard for the same purpose isn't it?
Which restaurants would those be?
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