Some of the most frequently asked questions that I get are about comps. “Comp” is short for “complementary” and it’s anything the casino gives you for free or reduced price. If you’re parking overnight at a casino you’ve already received one comp — the privilege of that overnight stay.
A few weeks ago in this post I gave you an introduction to comps. Now I’ll give you more details about specific types of comps, starting with one that seems tailor made for a traveling lifestyle. When this comp is offered, it’s likely the easiest comp you’ll ever get, and the highest in expected value or “EV”. The only bad thing is, you can only obtain this comp once in your lifetime, so I’ll give you a tip on how to maximize this benefit. Want to learn more?
Promotions for New Player’s Club Members
Casinos will often have special promotions for new customers who join the player’s club. The “player’s club” is similar to a loyalty program at a grocery store. It’s part of the casino marketing department, and its purpose is to track your play so the casino can reward you for playing and give you incentives to visit again. New member promotions vary widely, but some include great meal comps, and I’ll tell you about some of these in a minute, but first more info about the process.
To participate in the players club you visit a customer service booth and obtain a club card, like the one from the grocery store. Here’s how you do it: Walk up to the players club booth with your photo ID in hand. Tell them you’re a new player, give them your ID, and ask if there’s anything special for new players. Be prepared with a pen and paper to take notes, because some promotions have several steps that must be followed correctly. Also if it’s a multi-part promotion ask if they have a brochure or flyer that explains it.
The players club representative will either give you a registration form to fill out, or they’ll enter your information directly from your drivers license into the computer, and then give you a players club card which is the size of a credit card. They may ask for your social security number. If they do, and you’d prefer not to give it, you can say so and tell them you’ll provide it when you win a jackpot.
Here’s a TIP
To maximize the value of new member sign-up promotions, when you first visit the players club sign up alone. The reason is, most promotions of this type are “one per account”. If you discover the promotion is quite valuable your spouse or significant other can sign up separately and also receive the reward! There are two ways to accomplish this, one is to visit the booth by yourself. The other way is to visit together, but only one of you gives them an ID. If they ask you, tell them the other person isn’t interested in having a card and doesn’t want one. Then the second person can help listen to the details of the promotion and ask questions too.
What do you get as a new member?
Sometimes nothing, but we’ve enjoyed some great comps just for signing up and others for very minimal play. Here are some examples:
- Free food: This is a biggie, we’ve received up to $50 in food comps just for signing up. I’ll give details below.
- Free casino logo merchandise: T-shirt, Hat, Coffee Mug, deck of playing cards, key chain, ink pen, sometimes all of the above.
- Point multipliers: 2x to 10x points for new players in the first 24 hours to 1 month. Players club points are exchanged for comps, so multipliers are great!
- Coupon book: Also called a “fun book” these contain a variety of coupons, some more valuable than others. Often the various rewards for new members such as free food, merchandise, etc. are distributed through a coupon book.
I’ll give you details about a few of the food comps we’ve received this way.
- Harrah’s St. Louis (an RV Friendly casino) a few years ago was giving a free buffet for every sign-up. In Missouri you must sign up separately, as each person is required by state law to have a card to enter the casino (the only state I know of that does this). Anyway, we signed up ate two $25 dinner buffets free.
- Wynn, Las Vegas gives you two buffets after earning 50 points on your new players club card. That’s about 10 minutes of play on dollar video poker. Chris and I signed up separately and earned four tickets to this gourmet buffet.
- Tuscany Casino in Las Vegas gives a $50 food comp, good in any of their restaurants, to new members who earn 400 points on the same day they sign up. That’s also about 10 minutes playing dollar video poker.
Remember the Basics
When you visit a new casino. ASK about specials for new members, and USE your players card anytime you play a machine or table game.
I’ve started a discussion thread in the Open Roads Forum so we can talk about comps. I’ll be happy to answer questions there, or you can post comments below.
Happy travels and good luck,