Weird. I was at Wynn a couple of weeks ago and they said they couldn't do that. They gave me a complimentary upgrade to a panaoramic room at the Wynn instead.

Encore is more laid back and stylish... better if you don't like crowds. I received an upgrade to a really high floor when trying the $20 trick. They refused to take the money because I had to wait because the credit card system was down temporarily :)

Frankly I like the gym at Wynn better because they have a stretching frame. Neither one has elliptical trainers, although both have arc trainers. Both have plenty of machines and weights. When Encore opened I believe they were charging $35 versus Wynn's $25, but I heard a rumor they backed down. There is also a three-day plan.

Admission charges never appear on my bill, but I don't know if that's because I'm in a suite or because I'm RFB.

QL

Is it likely I could get an upgrade to a Tower room at Wynn with an upfront tip? I've heard others say no, but if you can go to Encore, why not to Tower?

They've been doing this to get people to "try" Encore. For a while, Encore's rates have actually been lower than Wynn on average because the demand for Encore really wasn't there. People who knew Wynn and liked Wynn were just booking Wynn.

That said, I don't think Encore is that much better than Wynn. Yes, the rooms are bigger, but I don't really like the configuration. You don't have an unobstructed view out the window while lying in bed because of the living room "divider" and the TV. The Wynn rooms are plenty big. Other than size and the suite-like aspect, the rooms are substantially similar. Also the non-Strip views from Encore (looking North) are nothing short of depressing. It really hits home how far away you are from any other casinos worth going to (except Wynn). Which of course is another issue I have with Encore. It's a bit isolated. Would have been a different story if Echelon place and the Plaza were getting built, but alas...