I drank the casino Kool Aid for Reward points

for me, there's no reason to chase Tier credits after you reach Diamond (15k TC).
Diamonds get resort/parking fees waived, and free food in the Diamond lounges.
(in Atlantic City, you need 25k TC for free Diamond lounges.)

I have over 40k TC only because I discovered Double Super Times Pay while in Vegas.
I was playing $2 denom 5play dstp (9/5 JoB), which is $42 a spin.
I spent ALOT of hrs on that machine and racked up a lot of reward points.

this month, I was I AC and spent a lot of time playing .25 denom single line Double Jokers.
i spent as much time on this machine (if not more) as i did on the dstp in Vegas.

When i looked on my Total Rewards account, i felt kinda meh that i racked up so little points.
i know in my mind it makes sense since it's only $1.25 a spin but i guess i was comparing with my Vegas trip.

i was surprised that i experienced let down.

Then i realized that i drank the casino Kool Aid.

Call me ploppy all you want, but I firmly believe that if they are offering you an upgraded card, you're playing too much!

Quote: Mosca

Call me ploppy all you want, but I firmly believe that if they are offering you an upgraded card, you're playing too much!

I totally disagree with Mosca --- who apparently wishes to be known as Ploppy.

At many casinos, tier benefits are tangible --- including higher cash back rates, free rooms and meals, cruises, no standing in line, etc.

At some casinos it's possible to earn these benefits totally while playing games where you have the advantage --- should you limit yourself to the best machines during the right promotions and you know the games well. And you understand the system well enough to get good mailers for relatively little play.

In these cases, it's positive EV to get an upgraded card.

Other casinos offer benefits for higher cards --- but you have to play a negative game to qualify. Now it needs to be decided whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Strong players are used to making these kinds of determinations.

Any "rule" that it's ALWAYS bad to do something --- or it's ALWAYS good to do something --- is likely wrong. Successful players figure these things out on a case by case basis

I admit I don't know the Caesars program that well. For my situation, it is definitely worth getting to Diamond and quite easy to. After that, I keep getting reminded that I'm close to the next Aspiration level, or something like that. Does anyone know the benefits of these Aspiration levels between Diamond and Seven Stars?

Straight from the horse's mouth:
Aspirations summary and rules.

Quote: BobDancer

I totally disagree with Mosca --- who apparently wishes to be known as Ploppy.

At many casinos, tier benefits are tangible --- including higher cash back rates, free rooms and meals, cruises, no standing in line, etc.

At some casinos it's possible to earn these benefits totally while playing games where you have the advantage --- should you limit yourself to the best machines during the right promotions and you know the games well. And you understand the system well enough to get good mailers for relatively little play.

In these cases, it's positive EV to get an upgraded card.

Other casinos offer benefits for higher cards --- but you have to play a negative game to qualify. Now it needs to be decided whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Strong players are used to making these kinds of determinations.

Any "rule" that it's ALWAYS bad to do something --- or it's ALWAYS good to do something --- is likely wrong. Successful players figure these things out on a case by case basis

I agree with you. I should have written, "...if they are offering me an upgraded card, then I am playing too much."

I don't mind. We play different games, for different reasons, and with different amounts. I most likely subsidize a small portion of your comps, and in return you subsidize a small portion of my income in some minor way (or would if we lived in the same community). Thanks for the correction. I was thinking carelessly.

Quote: LoquaciousMoFW

Straight from the horse's mouth:...

Thanks. Seems the main perk is a stay at Paradise Island. However, it looks like the airfare would be on me so forget that.

Quote: Wizard

Thanks. Seems the main perk is a stay at Paradise Island. However, it looks like the airfare would be on me so forget that.

You can still get the free stay at Diamond (and even Platinum). You just get to stay longer and/or in nicer rooms/towers at the higher tiers. More freebies (resort fees, folio credits, free play, etc.) at the higher tiers, too.

But, yeah, airfare to Nassau is a B!+(#. I priced a trip for February. Even if I were to fly out of Ft. Lauderdale (4.5 hr drive for me), the cheapest airfare I could find was $225 RT for what is probably a 45 minute flight each way.

Quote: Mosca

Call me ploppy all you want, but I firmly believe that if they are offering you an upgraded card, you're playing too much!

I used to think the same, but then this happened. You never know, Mosca, you could go on a crazy run on your next trip!

BTW, Kool-Aid is delicious! Do they still make Great Bluedini?

Quote: Wizard

Thanks. Seems the main perk is a stay at Paradise Island. However, it looks like the airfare would be on me so forget that.

after getting the base Diamond, the perks at 'Aspirations I' aren't worth trying hard to get.
perks = $100 folio credit, 5k tier credits towards next year, and upgraded Atlantis

Aspirations II on the other hand:
in addition to Aspirations I, you get another 5k TC towards next year plus $750 airfare, and another upgrade to Atlantis.
You can use that $750 towards travel to Atlantis.


edit:
just noticed that this year you must book your Aspirations perks by Jan 31,2017 and completed by Jun 30,2017.
last year it was book by May 30 and use by June 30. :(

Quote: Joeman

I used to think the same, but then this happened. You never know, Mosca, you could go on a crazy run on your next trip!

nice! i have never hit Quad Aces with kicker.
(then again, the only time i play ddb is when i vulture.)

My crazy run -> 3 Royals in 4 weeks!
http://i.imgur.com/atlEDy2
http://i.imgur.com/IQteVOV
http://i.imgur.com/KoxhEkR (Progressive!)

Quote: Mosca

Call me ploppy all you want, but I firmly believe that if they are offering you an upgraded card, you're playing too much!

yeah, i over did it on dstp.
those random multipliers are addicting (and *FRUSTRATING* when you whiff).

but my goal wasn't Aspirations I.
i just played it because it was fun and happened to reach the next Tier step.

next time, I'm probably going to play $1 dstp 10play instead of $2 3play. ($70 coin in vs $42)
maximum fun to me for that game is when i get a multiplier and hit all hands.