Looking for a new rewards card in Las Vegas ...

Claws for Concern · Oct 2, 2006

With the Stardust in Las Vegas set to close on Nov. 1, I have a Prime Rewards Club card that will become only a keepsake or thrown away at the end of this month. Actually, I have a last-time offer from them for rooms Oct. 15-31 with one night paid, a second night free.

Curious to know what Vegas hotel/casinos seem to have as much value as I got out of my Stardust card (free rooms for two nights, chips money, free food, deals at busy times). I do gamble at other places, but I liked gambling there - friendly dealers, great sports book, decent food, good rooms, the great bar at the Peppermill was right across the street.

I need to think about a new place to go. Any suggestions?

OTD · Oct 2, 2006

I've had two main cards there--Rio (now Harrah's) and the Sahara. Both those places have tightened down on comps in the past few years. I used to get comped at the Rio, but I haven't been there in a few years, so I fell of their list. Sahara is kind of weird--it seems like I drop about the same amount each time, but sometimes I get the club rate on rooms and sometimes I don't.

Claws for Concern · Oct 3, 2006

Thanks, OTD. I don't usually go to the Rio (except for the great buffet) but I have been to Sahara in the last year.

Anyone else for a suggestion?

Huggy · Oct 3, 2006

Sad to hear the Stardust is closing. Haven't been to Vegas in a few years but that was always one of my fave spots. And the sports book was great.

I didn't know the Sahara was still open. Or has that gone El Swanko now?

Inky_Wretch · Oct 3, 2006

Claws for Concern said:
I do gamble at other places, but I liked gambling there - friendly dealers, great sports book, decent food, good rooms, the great bar at the Peppermill was right across the street.

All the reasons I love the Stardust. The guys in the poker room were top-notch. Low-key, willing to crack jokes and make small talk, not like the dealer-bots working at so many cardrooms on The Strip.

OTD · Oct 3, 2006

Huggy said:
Sad to hear the Stardust is closing. Haven't been to Vegas in a few years but that was always one of my fave spots. And the sports book was great.

I didn't know the Sahara was still open. Or has that gone El Swanko now?

Definitely not El Swanko. Sahara and the Riviera might be the last two old-school places on the Strip. We usually stay there for the guys' weekends, where ambience is less important than cheap rooms, reasonably loose slots and $3 blackjack. The book really sucks though.