Here are some notes from my trip of March 3 through March 10.

America Worst:
Our morning non-stop flight from Boston was delayed 5 hours simply because America West could not free up a gate to pull the plane up to! The only compensation they offered during this was a $5 breakfast coupon (although some people at random got $7.50 and $10 coupons). The last 3 hours of this delay we were constantly told that they expected to board in a half hour.

Frequent flyer awards:
I used frequent flyer awards for tickets for both my niece and nephew. I also got a free first class ticket for my wife, bought a coach ticket for myself ($300) and used miles to upgrade my ticket. I wanted to pay for my ticket so I would earn miles towards Elite status for 2002.

Alamo Quick Rent:
I have been a fan of Alamo

Mike, Great trip report. You must be a professional TR writer the way you organized your report, breaking everything into separate categories. It was easy to read, and lots of fun following along with you even though the pace was somewhat exhausting. You're quite a mover!

Your neice and nephew must have had a fabulous time being introduced to LV by a person like you who so obviously knows their way around. I've never had any desire to see the "Magical Empire" show at Caesars, but now I'm going to try to squeeze it on our next trip in early May. I remeber reading on this bb that they are going to close it in early June. Did you hear anything about that when you were there?

Joyce, you're making me blush! Really, the format of this report was a result of my trying to get something down quickly.
My only info on the CME closing is from the 3/10 email of billhere where he states:
<<Caesars Palace: The Magical Empire is now closing permanently on June 2 or possibly later.>>
I'm sure you noticed there are quite a few opinions on CME in the TalkVegas Entertainment section.

Mike,
Thanks for finding the time to write a great report for us all. Your right, taking people around Vegas is fun, but it's also fun going on your own too.
Very well written report! I'm currently holding tickets on American West....I've been hearing a lot of horror stories lately!
Lee-PA


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Mike,
That

Mike,

Good report. Wow! You are the comp King of the world. I'm amazed at the number of casinos you had comp credits piled up in. I guess I'm used to concentrating on just a couple of places, but may have to change my way of thinking. All that and you say you didn't gamble much on this trip. How many years and how many trips did it take you to accumulate all this? You did have a very busy trip.

Bob

Rick,
Technically, I guess I did gamble at the IP. I played about 10 minutes on a $1 Blackjack machine to show my nephew how to play. But I didn't use my slot card. I have a theory that no play at all won't hurt your rating (while a little play might). I once used a free offer at the Stardust and let a friend use the room while I did not gambling there. It did not seem to hurt my free offers at all. I am hoping for similar results at the IP. But I wouldn't have done it if I didn't mind the possibiliy of loosing my rating there. Normally, I only use the IP on my Superbowl trip anyway. I believe 3K through on my next visit would revive my rating. In fact, 3K through almost any place will get you some offers - free rooms at the low end joints and discounted rooms at the higher end.

Mike,

Thanks for the trip report. We have always found it interesting to show first timers around OUR city. This past trip we expected to take our niece and her husband but it didn't happen. We would like to show them around while we can still get around.

The long buffet lines at Sam's Town can be shortened if you have a comp. There is a separate line for comps and we usually found it to be very short. The same kind of line exists at the cafe.

Let us know when you will be in our area.

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Fred@talkvegas.com

Mike, Thanks for taking the time to post an entertaining report.
Are you becoming a Caesars convert?<G> Love those Palace Tower rooms!!
They used to have only one 9/6 JOB $1 machine across from Cleopatra's Barge. Did they add more? That area is where the few remaining full pay machines are located, although I heard there are some in the multi game machines near the entrance to the Forum Shops.
Also, unless you win quickly those $1 Triple Plays will kill you. I know from experience!
You moved around a lot, staying at different places. Did that become a pain when moving all the time?
Take Care!


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John
Moderator Dining Forum and Entertainment, Attractions and Sightseeing Forum
john@talkvegas.com

vpbob,
I was cashing in on many years. At Sam's town for example, I had accumulated points over a few years. The cash back available was never worth cashing in. Then, last July, they sent me a card saying I had $79 in old comp credits that would expire at the end of 2000. I didn't even know I had something coming to me. Part of my points came from a Birthday offer they sent me one year. They let me make the reservation in December for the March trip and apply the credits. The other $26 was comp credits that didn't expire which I used for the dinner. My slot points at the IP also were aquired over 3 or 4 Superbowl trips. Each trip I had a birthday offer that included 2 free nights and 200 slot points. The rest of the points I earned and never had cashed any in before this. I had over 4000 points before this trip. The Caesars and Trop offers I don't think require an exceptional amount of play.
I do tend to concentrate on one casino at a time. For example, on my Superbowl trip, I basically only gambled at the hotels I was staying at (LV Hilton, and the IP). On this last trip, I did all my Caesars gambling during one calendar day. Same with the Trop, Sam's Town, and the Stardust (It is rare that I gamble using my slot card at a place I'm not staying at, but I hadn't given them any action in over 2 years so I thought I'd better try). So over a seven night trip I did very little gambling, but what I did do each day was close to my normal daily average. However, if they count my gambling over the length of my stay, it will hurt my rating. But I'm not sure they do that. I'm hoping the computer says I gambled one day and this amount. That's my strategy. Whether there is any real foundation behind it, I couldn't say.

<< They used to have only one 9/6 JOB $1 machine across from Cleopatra's Barge. >>
John, I knew you had said this but there was at least two of these machines there in March. Like of said before, I only need one. As for being a Caesar's convert, I would like to stay there more often, especially now that it appears I can get free upgrades to the Palace Tower, but I doubt if I would pay for a room at Caesar's when I can stay for free at other places. I will stay there when I bring my wife, but less likely otherwise. Maybe if I hit a winning streak there sometime and can gamble enough to get free room offers.

John, changing hotels is always a pain, but a little less so this trip. First, I had a car. Second I never had a long check-in wait, using the Caesar's check-in at the airport, VIP lines at the IP and the Trop, and Sam's town never seems to have long lines for check-in. Also, with the exception of Sam's town, I did all my check-ins with no luggage in hand. I left the luggage in the car until I had my room keys in hand. Finally, I have spent some money lately on good, packable clothing and have learned to pack really light. Unlike some people, I also have a wife who knows how to pack light. (G)

Mike count your blessings....
<<<Unlike some people, I also have a wife who knows how to pack light. (G)>>>

My wifes motto...."you just never know what you might need on vacation" so she takes it all!


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Mike, I will always take a free room at a decent hotel over paying for a room. I am lucky that I have been getting free rooms at Caesar. Wait and see what type of offer you get from them based on your last trip.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum and Entertainment, Attractions and Sightseeing Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Hey Mike, WTG! I just got round to reading your trip report, and I loved it. Talk about swings and roundabouts, I remember you being a bit down after the last trip, so this would have restored your faith?

Sorry 'my' progressives weren't paying out in Bellagio, but you didn't need them anyway!

Strange thing ,luck, it doesn't matter how much you know about gambling or try to rationalise things it all boils down to:the machines pay out while you're sitting there or they don't, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it.

Mike, I had to laugh when you said that Caesars airport check-in was easy ..but that your room wasn't ready until 5 pm. Has anyone ever gotten into a Caesars room before 5 pm? I know I haven't<g>.

I honestly don't know how I feel about the overall changes out at Sam's Town. I don't like their new comp policies, but I do like the new buffet and coffee shop. Beth says the have removed some of their good VP, but I had found plenty of good quarter machines on my last trip. I guess that's the bottom line ...as long as they give me a fair gambling chance, I'll probably keep staying there.

Did the Alamo security guard note the scratch on your rental contract? I never take the CDW, so I would have insisted on that note to protect myself. If that didn't work, rather than go to the return area to report it, I probably would have camped on the rental counter and demanded a different car<g>.

Thanks for the report ...the Yukon Grill at ACE sounds good.

Vease, I think you've got your Mikes crossed.

Daisy, The security gaurd at Alamo said he did not work for Alamo and couldn't help me. I think he meant he was not a direct Employee of Alamo. In any case, he would not note the scratch on my contract.
I didn't eat at Sam's Town's buffet, but it did look like a more pleasant buffet to eat at as you could sit right by the atrium.

Sorry,Mike that WAS addressed to Mr Dunghe,(hey I'm in the Dept that's dealing with the Foot and Mouth outbreak over here, I don't know what the hell I'm doing when I stagger home <g> )