Okay, comps could stir up some trouble since there are so many programs and everyone swears theirs is the best. We are going to attempt to explain how comps work the best we can and the types of programs that are available so you have an idea. As always, We will not play favorites here.
The first thing you should do when you visit any hotel/casino in Las Vegas is to sign up for a player's card. In many cases, you can get a free gift. More importantly is that when you play or shop, you gain points and these points count towards discounts on many things. You will probably start to get offers in the mail as well.
If you sign up for a card everywhere you visit and use that card, you are not likely to take advantage of building up your points. It is in your best interest to pick one that you will gamble and shop at to maximize your effort. In other words, don't gamble everywhere you go, pick a favorite and go with that one.
Each time you play on a slot machine insert your card. Your play will be tracked. It is wrong to think that you have to lose hundreds to build up points. The longer you play, the more points you build up, so don't be bogged down by how much you need to lose.
When playing a table game, present your players card to the dealer or pit boss (craps). The host will record your time starting and ending as well as any change you ask for (to get chips to play with). It is best to start with $100 minimum. They will turn your bill into chips.
Your playing time will help determine what level you will acquire and is directly tied to hotel offers to get you to come back. My brother played only $50 once and received up to 3 nights free at the same hotel. So it doesn't necessarily take a fortune to receive offers and discounts. Points usually expire at the end of each year.
Ask for Points on anything you spend at your favorite Casino(s). You must ask before you ring up the total. I can't believe how many people don't do this and they let money slip right out of their hands. When purchasing show tickets from a box office get the receipt and take it to rewards booth and ask for points on your card (points means cash to spend later). This also helps build your point total for future visits and moving to the next tier level. A pair of $300 show tickets deserves some cash back.
The second largest program in Las Vegas rests with Harrah's properties. They own 7 casinos including Harrah's, Caesar's Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris, The Quad, Rio, and Bally's. They also own a few other properties including the mall that is under construction next to Te Quad (old Bill's Gambling Hall), O'Sheas Casino, and the new Margaritaville Casino.
With Harrah's properties you start with the general reward level. The next level up is called Platinum. The Platinum level gives more discounts and coupons than general level does and you get to skip in front of some lines. Here is how points are earned (Notice that gambling gives the least amount of points):
Slot machines - 1 point for every $5 spent
Table games - points determined by length of play and amount played
Poker - length of play and amount
Shopping - 1 reward credit for every $1 spent
Dining - 1 point for every $1 spent
Hotel - 1 point for every $1 spent
Leisure experience - 1 poin for every $1 spent (Spas, golfing, etc.)
TR Marketplace - 1 point for every $1 spent
NEW! If you accumulate 500 points in a day, it gets doubled starting in 2014
Visit www.totalrewards.com for more information.
The largest program in Las Vegas is MLife from MGM Grand. MGM owns the following properties: MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Aria, Vdara, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York New York, Luxor, and Excalibur. The first level up to 24,999 points is Sapphire. MGM's program enables discounts on hotels, dining, holiday gifts, pre-sale to concerts and fights, discounts on shows, and rental car discounts. Visit www.MLife.com for more information.
Other programs include the following:
Wynn and Encore - Red Card
Treasure Island - TI Player's Club
Orleans, Gold Coast, Barbary Coast, Sun Coast, Sam's Town, California Hotel and Casino, Main Street Station, and Fremont Hotel and Casino - B Connected (Boyd Gaming)
Tropicana - Trop Plus Player's Club (1 point for every $1.50 on slots, 1 point for $6 on video poker)
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Backstage Pass
Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (formerly the Hilton) - Players Club Reward Points
Palms - Club Palms (1 point for every $1 slots and video poker)
Venetian, Palazzo - Grazie Resort Loyalty Program
Riviera - Players Club
Stratosphere - ace Play
Circus Circus - Circus Players Club
Mandarin Oriental - Players Club
Cosmopolitan - Identity
Terribles (Herbst Gaming) - A-Play
Downtown
Plaza - Players Club
Golden Gate - Club 1906
Vegas Club - Players Club
Golden Nugget - 24 Karat Club
Four Queens - Royal Players Club
Binions - Club Binions
El Cortez - Club Cortez