There are several different companies that serve the Las Vegas casino market. There are two big players on the Las Vegas Strip, as well as several in the downtown and locals market.
Total Rewards
Total Rewards may be the best known Las Vegas players club. It belongs to Caesars Entertainment. The card is accepted at Caesars, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Linq, Cromwell, Bally’s, Paris, Planet Hollywood, and Rio. It is also used at Caesars Entertainment properties throughout the U.S., including Atlantic City’s Bally’s Caesars and Harrah’s, as well as regional casino markets.
Total Rewards is among the most generous players club in terms of hotel comps. Players that are low volume are often offered free hotel nights at lower end Las Vegas properties, as well as midweek nights in Atlantic City. Regional casinos serviced by Total Rewards are known to be extremely liberal with free hotel nights to players that have given almost any level of action. Many of these offers include food vouchers.
Caesars Entertainment operates more casinos in the U.S. than any other company. This gives it the ability to cross market to out of state casinos to players. Those that give action in smaller casino markets are often invited to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Players in these major markets receive mailers to regional markets as an incentive to take a vacation.
Players earn comps at a rate of .2% on slots and .1% on video poker. Table games receive comps at a rate dependent upon the game and its speed. Table games do not generate much in the way of comps, although pit bosses may issue free meals at their discretion.
There are four levels of Total Rewards. Players enter at Gold. At 4,000 annual points, Platinum is achieved. Diamond requires 11,000 points. There are also higher tiers within Diamond. Seven Stars in invitation only and requires at least 100,000 points. Players earn one point for every $5 wagered at slots and $10 wagered at video poker. One point is earned for every $5 spent at bars and food outlets.
Terry Watanabe generated so much action that a Chairman level was created specifically for him. His losses were an estimated $189 million lifetime and entitled him to hundreds of thousands of dollars in comps each month. He ended up suing Caesars Entertainment in an attempt to receive some of his losses returned. It was settled out of court.
Players at Diamond and above have access to the Diamond Lounge, available at most Caesars Entertainment properties. The Diamond Lounge is open daily, usually in the afternoons and early evening times. Diamond Lounges provide free drinks and snacks to players in an upscale environment. Proper ID is required and Diamond players may bring one guest.
Online poker and casino players in Nevada and New Jersey can have their tier matched after four months of action at the same level.
MLife
MLife is the players card used by most casinos owned by MGM Resorts. These include the MGM Grand, New York New York, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, Aria, Bellagio, Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Goldstrike Tunica, and MGM Detroit. It does not include Circus Circus, Slots A Fun or Goldstrike in Jean, NV.
There are five tiers of MLife; Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and Noir. There is little difference in the lower tiers, only a 10% increase in points per step. Noir is invite only and gives players special access to all MGM events for free, as well as the highest end suites available.
Players earn .33% cash back while playing slots and .1% for video poker. Cash back must be claimed in $10 increments. Express comps are also earned at the same rate. These may be used for hotel and food.
Mlife is not known to be generous with free hotel and food mailers. In fact, one of the biggest complaints is that it is extremely stingy to all but the most serious gamblers.
Station Casinos Boarding Pass
Boarding Pass is the players club belonging to Station Casinos. This company is a major player in the Las Vegas locals market. The Boarding Pass has five levels; Preferred, Gold, Platinum, President, and Chairman. The only difference between the tiers is the level of discount offered at gift shop and buffets. President and Chairman Players receive special parking privileges at higher end properties.
Players receive .3% cash back or comps at video poker and slots. Station Casinos is one of the few in Las Vegas that gives points for sports betting. Players receive .2% of sports wagers returned. This includes online action through Sports Connection. Horse racing has a 1% return.
There are several bonus days that offer point multipliers offered each week to players. Active players receive mailers with free slot play and food comps.
Boyd Gaming BConnected
There are three levels of BConnected, the players club used by Boyd Gaming. There is Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Ruby is the entry level. Sapphire is achieved after 30,000 points. Emerald players must earn at least 250,000. These are annual tiers.
Ruby players earn $1 in cash back for every $1,000 wagered. Sapphire players earn $1 for every $667, while Emerald is $1 for every $333 bet at slots and video poker. Players receive a 40% discount when redeeming points for food at outlets owned by the casino.
The BConnected card is accepted in Las Vegas at Sam’s Town, Orleans, Gold Coast and Suncoast. These casinos award free play credits directly at the machine. Boyd’s downtown Las Vegas casinos also use this program. These locations are Main Street Station, California and Fremont. The players club issues vouchers for cash back at these downtown casinos. The BConnected card is also used at Boyd Gaming properties in Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Indiana.
Tropicana Trop Plus
The Tropicana Las Vegas’ Trop Plus players club is not used by any other casino. There are three tiers; Preferred, Gold, and Platinum. Preferred is the base tier. A player that earns 100,000 points in a year reaches the Gold level. Platinum is achieved at 300,000 points. One point is earned for every $1 wagered at slots and $2 played at video poker. Points may be redeemed for free slot play in $5 increments at a rate of 333 for every $1 in play. Gold players earn points 10% faster, while Platinum players receive 20% more points.
Trop Plus offers all new players a $200 loss rebate. There is also a locals program that gives Nevada players special parking, food discounts and a 20% loss rebate each month.
Cosmopolitan Identity
The Cosmopolitan Identity card is exclusive to the Las Vegas property. Players start at Silver. Sterling starts at 5,000 annual points, Gold at 20,000 points, while Platinum is reached at 80,000 points. Points are earned at a rate of five for every $1 spent at retail and restaurants. One point is earned for every $20 in table game play, $7.50 in video poker wagered, or $1.50 in slots. Sterling players earn .1% cash back. That doubles for Sterling and triples for Gold and Platinum.
Riviera Rewards
Riviera Rewards is only available at the Riviera on the Las Vegas Strip. There are three tiers; Entry, Gold and Platinum. Gold is achieved at 25,000 annual points. Platinum is for 100,000 points or more in a year. One point is earned for every $2 in slot play and $4 in video poker action. Every 200 points is $1 in free play. Gold earns free play three times faster. Platinum players receive free play four times faster.
PlayLV
PlayLV is the players club for the Plaza and Las Vegas Club in downtown Las Vegas. There are four tiers; Jack, Queen, King and Ace. Free play is earned at a rate of .3% of wagers at video poker and slots. Players may opt to receive straight cash instead at a rate of .2%.
PlayLV has a serious promotion for video poker players. King and Ace tiered players receive free play equal to the payout of a royal flush when hitting one on most machines. PlayLV matches tiers from competing casinos. There is also a $100 loss rebate program for new players.
