Is it worthwhile to join a Gaming Loyalty Program?
 

This thread was inspired by this milepost.

Not the easiest question to answer, but, I did do a very brief experiment this summer at Caesars AC.

I had my father sign up for a TR (Total Rewards) card at Caesars in August.

I put a limited amount of play on his card (242 Tier Points - approximately $2,400 or so coin-in at VP or $1,200 at slots -- though, I did just a bit of VP and dice). He played a bit of live poker, which yielded a negligible amount of Tier Credits.

The marketing results of this experiment were :
$30 TR gift card for September (with half hour of play)
$30 TR gift card for October (with half hour of play)
2 free nights (Sunday to Thursday) in AC in September and 2 free nights in October
2 free (midweek) nights x 2 (10/01 to 11/30) at Harrah's LV, RIO, Flamingo or Bally's or 2 free nights (any night) at Imperial Palace.

My "guess" is that you probably could have done less than the 242 Tier to get these offers. I would say, probably as low as 100 Tier.

I had another friend join TR last month, and I'll try to get him to report back on his offers.

I would say, especially considering the current economic situation at most casino properties, it is definitely worthwhile to join the rewards program.

I thought I was going to try and recreate this experiment at Casino Arizona last night, but catching up on email in the hotel room got away from me, and I'm flying out tonight. But I'll give it a try when I'm here in a couple of weeks.

Re:
 

Well, let's do a cost-benefit analysis.

Cost: None.
Benefit: At minimum, even with no comps, you'll get frequent promo mailings, some with actual value. I get free night offers from casinos I've never stayed at and only played at for a few hours.

Conclusion: Yes, it is worthwhile.

Well, almost. The cost is your time and your privacy, since you'll have to wait in line and then show people your ID. How much you value these things is up to you; I join 'em but I have friends who refuse to on principle, and I guess that's OK for them. But in Vegas the privacy invasion isn't abstract; you could be playing at a slot machine and have a security person stroll up and greet you by name.

If you get a hand pay jackpot they require all of this information anyway. If privacy is an issue for someone a casino is not the place for them.

Someone we know up here went to LV for the first time last year. Was speaking with him this afternoon, and he mentioned that he received an offer from Total Rewards for free airfare, free room at any of their hotels in LV and food comps. Granted this guy is a whale, from what he says he spends at the casinos here in Ontario, and he showed us his TR "diamond" card (didn't know that TR had a diamond category), but yes, having a players card definately does have it's benefits, that increase with your rated amount of play.

bj-21.