Total Rewards Visa Card
Quote: bwI notice now on the Total Rewards site they are now offering 2 tickets on the big Ferris wheel instead of the buffet passes, seems like a big downgrade.
Wow, they just changed this in the last 24 hours! You're right, it's totally a downgrade.
Even though ferris wheel tickets are $37, allowing 2 people to ride for free costs them nothing. And they figure you might even buy a cocktail for the ride, so they'll still make a decent profit on this freebie. I wasn't really that tempted to get this joke of a credit card, but now I'm even less tempted.
Quote: SOOPOOAnd they really get $37 to get on the ferris wheel? Are there 2 for 1 coupons floating around, or are tourists really shelling out that much?
Their prices are exorbitant, and they're especially bad if you buy the ticket in advance on their website. If you want to skip the line, it's $60 per person + $2 website service fee. For $55 (+ $2), you can get a ticket that's good for 1 ride at any time during a 3 day window. For $45 (+$2), you can get a ticket good for 1 ride during a 1 day window. For $25 (+$2) you can get a daytime ticket, but you must specify the time of day, and if you don't show up at the specified time, your non-refundable ferris wheel ticket will expire because Ceasars is committed to always reminding everyone that they are greedy and they suck. If you want to ride after sunset, the ticket is $35 (+$2), but you must specify the exact time, after which your non-refundable ticket will expire.
In other words, don't buy it online. Buying it online requires a $2 service fee, and a commitment to be at the ferris wheel at an exact time, which is the opposite of enjoying a leisurely, stress-free vacation in Las Vegas.
Quote: renoWow, they just changed this in the last 24 hours! You're right, it's totally a downgrade.
Even though ferris wheel tickets are $37, allowing 2 people to ride for free costs them nothing. And they figure you might even buy a cocktail for the ride, so they'll still make a decent profit on this freebie. I wasn't really that tempted to get this joke of a credit card, but now I'm even less tempted.
Looks like they only give two daytime tickets, which are $24.95 each, so they cut the value of that bonus in half compared to the two buffet passes.
The CET penny pinchers were probably anxiously awaiting it's opening so they could get rid of the free buffets. What a waste.
Quote: AcesAndEightsNo, I just signed up for the TR Visa February 2014 (a few months ago). Edited in my original post in case there was any confusion.
I did send an email to my host, so we'll see if she replies. It does say it can take "up to 30 days" to process your Platinum upgrade, but it's been well over that. If the 30 days was just way over-promising, and it's still in progress, that's fine as long as I get the damn status in time to waive the $90 in resort fees. More money to put toward my Love Cloud flight...
Email to my (apparently former) host at CET bounced. Now I suppose I will have to try to get on the phone with someone through regular channels. Not looking forward to that.
I may just give up, considering that it's very likely I will actually need wifi in the room on this trip, which would necessitate paying the resort fee regardless. I will post back to this thread with any updates.
Quote: AcesAndEightsEmail to my (apparently former) host at CET bounced. Now I suppose I will have to try to get on the phone with someone through regular channels. Not looking forward to that.
I may just give up, considering that it's very likely I will actually need wifi in the room on this trip, which would necessitate paying the resort fee regardless. I will post back to this thread with any updates.
If you had a host before, just call the VIP line and tell them that you had a host who no longer seems to be with the company. They will (presumably) pass you off to a new host.
Quote: SOOPOOThey just sent me a letter telling me they are keeping me platinum for an additional 3 months (to 3/31/2015) because they value me so much.... My original offer said the end of 2014. The resort fee waived for platinum members would not be in the credit card contract, rather, it is a policy the casinos use for all platinum members. As such it is certainly possible CET will change it in the future. I really hope I am grandfathered in for the free buffets, because I saved using that option for my week in VEGAS corresponding with the WoV convention in a few weeks. And they really get $37 to get on the ferris wheel? Are there 2 for 1 coupons floating around, or are tourists really shelling out that much?
When we got the card I thought the buffet passes were only valid for 90 days. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure that is what I read.
A one-time "Buffet of Buffets" pass for 2 people. Valid at Las Vegas locations only. The "Buffet of Buffets" pass is valid for six months from the time the credit card is issued. Subject to black-out dates and surcharge for Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Village Seafood Restaurant at the Rio. Applicable to the primary cardholder only. Non-transferable.
https://d.comenity.net/TotalRewardsVisa/
click on Details and Additional Benefits
Quote: GWAEaccording to their page you still get the buffet and it is good for 6 months
A one-time "Buffet of Buffets" pass for 2 people. Valid at Las Vegas locations only. The "Buffet of Buffets" pass is valid for six months from the time the credit card is issued. Subject to black-out dates and surcharge for Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Village Seafood Restaurant at the Rio. Applicable to the primary cardholder only. Non-transferable.
https://d.comenity.net/TotalRewardsVisa/
click on Details and Additional Benefits
GWAE- you're right, the free buffet passes are indeed acknowledged on Comenity's website, though it's poor marketing not to disclose it upfront, I can't imagine why they'd want you to click on the "Additional Benefits" link. But the free buffet passes are nowhere to be found on Total Rewards' own website. How could Caesars forget to acknowledge this attractive perk in a sales pitch for a new credit card? Weird.
Comenity mentions it, Caesars doesn't. Whom do you trust more: a bank or a casino?
Quote: AcesAndEightsEmail to my (apparently former) host at CET bounced. Now I suppose I will have to try to get on the phone with someone through regular channels. Not looking forward to that.
I may just give up, considering that it's very likely I will actually need wifi in the room on this trip, which would necessitate paying the resort fee regardless. I will post back to this thread with any updates.
Credit to the TR folks for clearing up my Platinum status quickly. I stopped by the TR desk at Flamingo before we started the buffet of buffets, as I really wanted the line-skipping privileges that come with the Platinum card. The woman took my TR card and looked at the Visa, and before I knew it, had printed out a new Platinum card valid until March 2015! No fuss or anything.
Now, interestingly, I still show as Gold on the TR website. I have no idea what this means - if the change she made manually hasn't propagated to my account or what, or if she just printed the card out and didn't actually make the change at the account level. It doesn't matter much to me as the main benefit of the Platinum card is skipping lines, and as long as you have the valid card in hand you're good to go on that. In fact, I screwed myself over by not getting this resolved as soon as I arrived. The check-in line for Flamingo was ridiculous on Thursday night (I don't think I've ever checked in at Flamingo without a ridiculous line), and if I had just swung by the TR desk before I got in the giant line, I would have skipped the general line and used the Platinum line. As it was I stood in line for about an hour...
Quote: Mission146I would be surprised not to find that their system is more sophisticated than this, but with a few casinos at which I play, your points (and effectively, any upgrades to tier status) only update on the website once per month. One example is The Meadows.
I remember dealing with CET in Vegas and getting upgraded to Platinum status.
Sincce I have money on my platinum card that can be spent at CET properties, I asked how to create a pin number for my card.
The CET rep stated "We are not that sophisticated like other casinos with pins, just show your ID with the platinum card to spend CET money"
Quote: GWAEaccording to their page you still get the buffet and it is good for 6 months
A one-time "Buffet of Buffets" pass for 2 people. Valid at Las Vegas locations only. The "Buffet of Buffets" pass is valid for six months from the time the credit card is issued. Subject to black-out dates and surcharge for Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Village Seafood Restaurant at the Rio. Applicable to the primary cardholder only. Non-transferable.
https://d.comenity.net/TotalRewardsVisa/
click on Details and Additional Benefits
The Buffet passes had blackout dates I was not aware of, I signed up in Nov 2013, told the rep I was going to use the passes during XMAS week, she said fine, visited Vegas around XMAS, was told by CET I couuld not use my passes, blacked out during XMAS week. Luckily I had a Vegas trip scheduled Mar 2014 and I used the passes then, If I did not have that March trip, would have lost out on the buffet passes.
We had our Christmas Day dinner at the Caesars Palace buffet with the base price being used from the card offer and the two upcharge surcharges added to the card's player.The operation was a madhouse, a sight to behold.Quote: terapinedThe Buffet passes had blackout dates I was not aware of, I signed up in Nov 2013, told the rep I was going to use the passes during XMAS week, she said fine, visited Vegas around XMAS, was told by CET I couuld not use my passes, blacked out during XMAS week. Luckily I had a Vegas trip scheduled Mar 2014 and I used the passes then, If I did not have that March trip, would have lost out on the buffet passes.
Christmas Day is the second slowest day of the year on the Strip, after Christmas Eve, and a special "holiday" surcharge then would be really strange. But Bacchanal always has insane lines since it re-opened if you aren't Diamond (or Platinum?). I ate at the Italian place next to it that very day, and since I was half the customers in the joint the relaxed underworked staff & I enjoyed making jokes about the masses of folks stuck in that "hot new buffet" line, apparently re-enacting the Bataan Death March for the holidays. But I did it another day (jumped the line with my fancy card) and I thought it definitely has been remade into a very nice buffet now.
Why can't I just delete my own stupid double posts? Not trying to game my post count, I swear. Grrrrrrr.
Quote: DrawingDeadBut Bacchanal always has insane lines since it re-opened if you aren't Diamond (or Platinum?).
Platinum gets you in the fast lane, and if you have the TR Visa card, you have a platinum TR card too :).
I don't remember if it was one line for SS and a shared line for Diamond/Plat. Or if it was SS+Diamond and one for plat. Or all 3 separate. But luckily when I was there we were the only couple in any of the 3 lines, so we got the next register that opened up.
Quote: SOOPOOJust read on my credit card website that I will maintain Platinum if I use card for $5000 in 2015. Other than no resort fees, which doesnt apply for us lowly platinums... Can someone remind me why I want to be platinum.... I guess I do like the separate check in area.....
Yeah without the resort fee being waived, the only advantage is line skipping at some places. Since I don't plan on staying at CET properties much any more, I definitely won't be running the $5K through that card. I didn't even see the notice since I barely use it anymore.
A 15% Spa Discount at participating spas
Monthly 2-for-1 tickets to participating shows in Las Vegas
Up to a 10% discount on select Norwegian Cruise Line vacations
On the other hand, if I spend $10,000 a year, I get "the all new VIP Access Pass", which includes:
VIP lines at participating restaurants, taxis, entertainment venues, and hotel check-in
Preferred entry into participating Las Vegas night clubs
Pool access at all Las Vegas Resorts
Quote: harvson3I really don't understand the love and attention this credit card gets on this site. There are cards out there from Barclays, Citibank, American Express, and Discover that earn 2%+ back in the form of cash or statement credits. The TR Visa only earns 1% back or less in amounts that must be used at CZR properties. Spending money beyond that necessary to get the sign-up bonus is just giving money away.
To each his own. I prefer to earn comp dollars while shopping or paying bills. I wish I had used this [TR visa] card years ago instead of the GM card or AT &T card. BTW, I'll earn tons of comp dollars if my real estate tax collector accepts this card in the near future:-)
Quote: harvson3I really don't understand the love and attention this credit card gets on this site. There are cards out there from Barclays, Citibank, American Express, and Discover that earn 2%+ back in the form of cash or statement credits. The TR Visa only earns 1% back or less in amounts that must be used at CZR properties. Spending money beyond that necessary to get the sign-up bonus is just giving money away.
+1
The Total Rewards Visa is extremely stingy, there are much more generous cards out there. To add insult to injury, Caesars seems to be watering down the benefits of the card, it just keeps getting worse. It's as if they're actively discouraging me from getting this stupid product.
As I see it, the ultimate delimma of credit card rewards is the question of complexity. How many different cards should I waste my time with? Do I really want to complicate my life with a dozen different cards-- one card for gasoline, a different card for groceries, another one for restaurants, one for hotels, one for airlines, et cetera? Life is short! If the goal is to keep it simple and narrow it down to just one single card so that all of your rewards are consolidated in one flexible program, the obvious answer is a 2% card. And among the 2% rewards cards (Capital One Venture, Discover Escape, Barclays Arrival+, Fidelity American Express) the winner is Citibank Double Cash. Yes, Barclays Arrival has slightly better rewards. But Citibank Double Cash doesn't have an annual fee, so it's a no-brainer in my book.
- This card provides less than one half to a third of the cashback rate of every credit card I have and any I have been offered or seen anywhere in this decade, and one-fifth as much as one of them I have from AMEX.
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It provides that only in the form of Caesars Ent. Reward Credits, which due to inflated "drunk vacationing tourist" pricing of buying anything with those credits, is worth about $0.50 on the dollar or less to me, making that rate of those "comps" worth a final net total of less than one-fourth what I can and do get from using any other card that I already have for my routine retail transactions.
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The off-brand credit card servicer they found to handle this card has a less than savory reputation for handling customer accounts (check any of the major consumer review sites) potentially putting my credit standing at risk by having it, in my opinion.
- Though I don't usually carry balances, the interest rate on it if I ever did is ludicrous in my FICO score range. For example my Wells Fargo VISA has an APR of under 10% and as I recall from the last mailing begging me to take this thing this would have been something like twice that.
If it works out well for others in their different individual circumstances, that's great, congrats. And I do want to sincerely thank Mr. Loveman for providing me and so many of my neighbors with so many tons of handy combustible material to heat our homes over these last several years, all delivered personally by a uniformed government official in a little golf cart at Caesars' expense.
I have a Discover which gives me cash back and one through my credit union which does too. Both interest rates are below 10%. Yeah, I think I'll pass.
Quote: DrawingDeadThe off-brand credit card servicer they found to handle this card has a less than savory reputation for handling customer accounts (check any of the major consumer review sites) potentially putting my credit standing at risk by having it, in my opinion.
I've been tempted to get the Virgin America Airlines Visa because Virgin's frequent flier points are worth much more than most other airline miles. Moreover, cardholders can refund or change their tickets with no penalty, which I think is a unique and ingenious perk. But the issuing bank is Comenity, which also issues the Total Rewards Visa, and I've read too many horror stories about that terrible "bank."
Quote: DrawingDeadThough I don't usually carry balances, the interest rate on it if I ever did is ludicrous in my FICO score range. For example my Wells Fargo VISA has an APR of under 10% and as I recall from the last mailing begging me to take this thing this would have been something like twice that.
So true! I know that the bottom line for any casino venture is profit, profit, profit but it's really too bad that the Total Rewards Visa has such an appalling APR. Barclays is able to offer the Ring Mastercard with an APR of 8% and still make a fat profit, so why can't Caesars? It'd be good branding for the Caesars name to offer a genuine bargain in an industry (credit cards) renowned for its rip-offs. There are very few cards in the 8% range, so it would draw positive attention and cache to the brand. Obviously, this will never ever ever happen. They're just too greedy.
Quote: DrawingDeadCompensating advantages to me: none whatsover potentially not having to remember to go see Caesar to ring up one credit at one of his joints at least once every six months as I burn off the remainder of my TR balance.
Slightly off-topic: does anyone know if purchases made through the Total Rewards Marketplace portal accomplish the same goal?
Don't need to tell you that.
I don't "know" but since nobody else has answered yet... I have the impression that it does (but no direct knowledge from checking it out or doing that myself). I got that impression because a friend who had an old comp balance left from his time living in Las Vegas, but who no longer lives nearby and is now far away from any Caesars properties, was talking about buying some stuff just for that reason, and I'd assume he checked into it. But that's just what I think I understand about what I believe I recall about what someone else said, so by the time I pass that to you here it probably qualifies as a lukewarm rumor at best. But maybe this bump will bring the question to the attention of someone who can give a more solid answer.Quote: renoSlightly off-topic: does anyone know if purchases made through the Total Rewards Marketplace portal accomplish the same goal?
the difference is:
15% Discount at the gift shop as opposed to 10%
Ability to transfer up to 5000 reward credits to a friend
Room discounts based on play
Sooo...does anyone think this is a "benefit?"
Quote: ScanThe "upgrade" to Platnium from Gold is WORTHLESS
the difference is:
15% Discount at the gift shop as opposed to 10%
Ability to transfer up to 5000 reward credits to a friend
Room discounts based on play
Sooo...does anyone think this is a "benefit?"
Well not much of one. BUT.....
One of my pet peeves is waiting in long lines. Like at a Buffet on the Strip. So I think the Platinum level is good for getting in the "short" line in Vegas. When this card was first being offered a couple of years ago, I believe you got ONE of the "Buffet of Buffets" for 24 hours in addition to whatever point bonus after spending a certain amount. But I haven't seen the BoB promo since that time.
Quote: JohnnyQWell not much of one. BUT.....
One of my pet peeves is waiting in long lines. Like at a Buffet on the Strip. So I think the Platinum level is good for getting in the "short" line in Vegas. When this card was first being offered a couple of years ago, I believe you got ONE of the "Buffet of Buffets" for 24 hours in addition to whatever point bonus after spending a certain amount. But I haven't seen the BoB promo since that time.
Not any more. Now you need something called a "VIP Access Pass," which requires spending $10,000 on the card per year.
Also, the "Buffet of Buffets" pass you used to get for signing up has long since been replaced with one or two tickets for the High Roller wheel.
Quote: ThatDonGuyNot any more. Now you need something called a "VIP Access Pass," which requires spending $10,000 on the card per year.
Also, the "Buffet of Buffets" pass you used to get for signing up has long since been replaced with one or two tickets for the High Roller wheel.
I'll have to take another look, but I thought the short Buffet line at Harrah's on the Strip, for one example, was for Platinum Card Holders and above. They might have changed it. Like I said, if I am in the area on my trip in a couple of weeks, I'll look. They probably don't have much of a line most of the time. But during events, the busy season, weekends, etc, they might.
Quote: JohnnyQI'll have to take another look, but I thought the short Buffet line at Harrah's on the Strip, for one example, was for Platinum Card Holders and above. They might have changed it. Like I said, if I am in the area on my trip in a couple of weeks, I'll look. They probably don't have much of a line most of the time. But during events, the busy season, weekends, etc, they might.
Actually, now they're saying that the VIP Access Pass grants "VIP Diamond Line Access" at participating restaurants, check-ins, taxi lines, and entertainment venues, so maybe the "platinum line" still exists.
Quote: GWAEMaybe someone who has been to a CET venue recently could share with us. When looking at the TR website there is no mention of special check in lines on platinum. Diamond and 7stars have it listed still.
I was in LV recently but didn't eat at any CET buffets, and for that matter didn't play any there either. So I'm not sure about whether Platinum goes to the short line CURRENTLY, but I know it used to be good for that.
Quote: ThatDonGuyIt looks like Platinum isn't what it used to be. Apparently, you don't get any sort of "line privileges" with it. I just got an E-mail saying that if I spend $5000 a year, I keep my Platinum status, which includes:
A 15% Spa Discount at participating spas
Monthly 2-for-1 tickets to participating shows in Las Vegas
Up to a 10% discount on select Norwegian Cruise Line vacations
On the other hand, if I spend $10,000 a year, I get "the all new VIP Access Pass", which includes:
VIP lines at participating restaurants, taxis, entertainment venues, and hotel check-in
Preferred entry into participating Las Vegas night clubs
Pool access at all Las Vegas Resorts
Did you get that email from the Comenity people or the TR people? I don't see anything like it in my Inbox.
Quote: harvson3I really don't understand the love and attention this credit card gets on this site. There are cards out there from Barclays, Citibank, American Express, and Discover that earn 2%+ back in the form of cash or statement credits. The TR Visa only earns 1% back or less in amounts that must be used at CZR properties. Spending money beyond that necessary to get the sign-up bonus is just giving money away.
The original deal on this card was good. When you initially signed up, $750 in spending over 3 months got you 10,000 rewards credits (i.e. $100 to spend at TR properties). That's a healthy 13.333333% "cash" back for that $750. If you go to Vegas, it's not hard to spend that $100 at TR properties.
As has been stated ad nauseum, the Platinum status was a nice bonus. As has also been discussed, not all properties have a separate Platinum line, but many of the low-end properties still do. There was even a separate Platinum line at the Bacchanal Buffet when I went, which saved us some serious time.
The Buffet of Buffets pass was also a great benefit, which is no longer offered.
The ability to keep your RCs current by making a single transaction is an added benefit.
In summary, I agree with you that putting a lot of money on this card is not wise considering all of the other cards out there. But I wouldn't hate on the card too much; I still keep it since it doesn't have a fee, and at this point I usually only use it when my RCs are about to expire or if I am at a TR property (as it is 5% "cash" back there).
Quote: GWAEAces, we actually received a post card in the mail with all that info mentioned above. I never receive emails from them.
Ah, thank you. It may be in my stack of snail mail which I sift through about once a month.
OK not bad but also not that great, especially compared to some of the Frequent Flier Credit Card offers floating around.
Since TR gives out Tier Credit bonuses like candy, why not sweeten the deal by ALSO giving out another 5000 in Tier Credits ? 7500 ? Do I hear 10,000 ? That can't cost them much and it might appeal to some folks.
I have NOT applied for this card.
I don't travel to Vegas that often so I was thinking of getting this card just so I could make a purchase every few months to keep my reward credits from expiring, and maybe build up a little more in the process. Would this card be worth it for that? I never carry a credit card balance. Is it only the reward credits that would rollover, and my tier credits would still reset to 0 unless I was actually gambling in a casino?
