Over the years, casinos have experimented with many promotions to get you through the door. Free spins, free slot play, scratch cards, slot tournaments, table game tournaments, senior specials, dining offers……you name it, and they’ve tried it. Many promotions are fun and can improve the player’s advantage or close the gap. Rewards Club Questions & Answers.
A rewards card is one of the best ongoing promotions that most casinos offer. All six New England casinos offer them. Each casino has a different slant to its club’s worth.
Here are some essential questions, from personal experience, you need to ask to get the best “bang for the buck:”
1) What can I redeem the points that I accumulate?
Many rewards clubs allow you to use your players’ club points to dine at their restaurants or shop. Some offer using your points for free slot play, but usually for half the price. (ex., 50 points = $25 slot play). Many casinos allow you to redeem entertainment points, such as buying tickets for a concert.
2) Do they expire? If so, when?
This is important to know. Some rewards club points don’t ever expire. Other clubs’ points expire after 13 months or even 6. There are many ways to use them, and it’s a shame if a player lets them expire – especially when it takes so much money to earn them. This leads to my next question…
Related Post – Casino Comps and “Average Daily Theoretical”
3) How much “money in” equals one point?
Points accumulate at different % or rates at each casino. Knowing how much money it takes to earn one point helps when looking for the best player advantage at different casinos.
It’s the player’s responsibility to find out these facts. But getting it these days can be difficult. The player must often use a session to find out by using the same game, same denomination, and same wager for a specific amount of time.
Beware that some casinos can have different rates on different slot machines according to their expected payout % – and that info they just don’t like to share!
4) How many points equals one dollar?
Be sure you know this answer – some clubs approach points like they were lira (ex, 1000 points = $1).
And be aware that some casino restaurants and stores may cost you 2x the points when using your points. For example, at Borgata in Atlantic City, all stores and restaurants on the casino floor are 1 to 1. But if you go downstairs to their food court, it will cost you $10 in points for a $5 burger. BUYER BEWARE!
5) Do different games accumulate points at different rates?
The answer is yes, but it’s good to know the difference, as stated in question #3. If you play table games, be sure to use your card! However, some casinos won’t take your card at the lowest limit tables. Be sure you ask before playing.
6) Is it part of a larger “mega-club?”
Knowing you can earn at the AC Harrah’s and use them at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is good. The following mega-clubs serve New England’s casinos:
Finally
Finally, Casino Rewards clubs offer different levels according to your play. The three things casinos consider for tier levels and comps are average bet amount, time spent, and gameplay. Usually, the casino looks at your average play for your last number of visits. That number of visits varies per casino – for example, comparing the CT casinos again, Foxwoods averages your last three visits, and Mohegan Sun your last six visits. So beware of that $10 free slot play offer. If it isn’t parlayed into a more extended stay, you may be bringing your level down by a visit for free play, eating, and then leaving! (remember, these are all based on personal experience – I guess we learn from our mistakes!
Later in the week, I will include parts of an article by Jeff Compton, a renowned gambling and gambling tips writer, such as his very popular book “Getting the most out of Slots.” It will feature answers to more questions about rewards programs, myths of slot card usage, and the connection to getting comps.
That’s All for now.
Binbin
