Rewards Maxxing at Las Vegas Casinos Harder Than It Looks

^{Choosing one casino rewards program will allow you to maximize rewards, but there are options if you want to visit multiple properties. (Photo: Marc Meltzer / Casinos.com)}

Rewards maxxing, or getting the most from casino loyalty programs, can be difficult in Las Vegas for one simple reason. With so many casinos clustered close together, it’s easy to explore the different properties around town.

There are about 30 casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and 10 rewards programs, which is just over four miles long. Seven rewards programs are available at 12 downtown Las Vegas casinos, which is even smaller and more walkable.

The challenge isn’t limited to the main tourist areas. If you venture just off the Strip, a handful of rewards programs are within a five-minute drive.

The variety of casinos, from big to small and luxury to budget, is one of the many reasons people love visiting Las Vegas. Unfortunately, playing and spending money across all of them isn’t conducive to getting the most from their rewards programs.

Casino rewards programs offer perks and benefits to their most loyal customers. Spreading money among properties might be the most fun way to play, but it doesn’t help you get the most from rewards programs.

Here’s an overly simple example:

• $100 spent at one casino = $100 in rewards-earning play at that casino.
• $100 spread across five casinos = $20 in rewards-earning play at each.

This isn’t exact. It’s only a representation. Each program has its own algorithm that can turn the same spend into different rewards.

Focus on Getting the Most from Casino Rewards

One of the best “hacks” for getting the most from casino rewards is to focus play and spending on as few programs as possible. It was one of a few topics covered at the “From First Play to VIP: Creating Loyalty That Lasts” panel at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

Casino operators want loyal customers because they spend the most money. The panel discussed how to create an environment that makes a guest more loyal to one property than another.

Casino game content creators Kelly Koffer and Josh Duffy discussed what they and their followers on various platforms look for, from first impressions to cleanliness and consistent service.

The duo also shared how they climbed the ranks in various rewards programs and offered ways to get the most from casino rewards.

One tip stood out as particularly important in Las Vegas because it’s not an issue in many casino destinations. Pick where you play and spend your money, then consolidate there to earn the most rewards. Depending on the person, this can be easy or incredibly difficult.

While there are 10 rewards programs from Mandalay Bay to The Strat, just two cover the majority of the Strip. MGM Rewards has nine casinos, and Caesars Rewards has another eight.

MGM Rewards Casinos on the Strip

• Aria
• Bellagio
• Cosmopolitan
• Excalibur
• Luxor
• Mandalay Bay
• MGM Grand
• New York-New York
• Park MGM

Caesars Rewards Casinos on the Strip

• Caesars Palace
• Flamingo
• Harrah’s
• Horseshoe
• The Linq 
• Paris
• Planet Hollywood
• Vanderpump Hotel

It’s easy to keep spending focused with these two programs because there are so many options.

As Las Vegas evolves, these casinos have become the old guard. The newest casinos on the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas and Fontainebleau, have their own programs. In fact, every casino north of the Venetian has its own reward program that ins’t linked to Caesars or MGM.

Many of us love visiting the bright, shiny and new. While that’s fun, spreading money across multiple properties equals fewer rewards across the board.

Not all trips have to focus on rewards, but we all want the best perks, including complimentary rooms, waived resort fees, free play, spa treatments, show tickets, special dinners and more.

The best way to earn higher-tier status and comps is to focus where you spend money. Keep that in mind when visiting the different properties.

Finding a Comp-romise

I’m a shiny-object person and love to see the newest things in Las Vegas. That’s not ideal for someone who wants the best rewards from a casino budget.

The best way to rewards maxx in Las Vegas is to focus on one program and get as much as possible. I can’t live that way, but I still want the most, so I adjusted my budget depending on where I was.

Before I moved to Las Vegas, wanting to see all of the new bars, restaurants and amenities would pull me away from the core program that offered me the best rewards in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

One cheat code I used over the years was to keep bigger spending at the properties where I absolutely wanted rewards and spend much less elsewhere. This gave me the best of both worlds.

When I hit the tables at the casinos where I wanted rewards, I’d play $25 games. That would dip to $10 or $15 elsewhere. If I played machines, the buy-ins were split the same way. The same went for meals and other spending.

This tactic let me explore Las Vegas while keeping the majority of my spending with one company, so I could earn the best rewards.

Flexibility in all facets of Las Vegas is important and useful. It’s easy to go with the flow, and that’s the most fun way to enjoy the city.

It’s easy to get caught up in maximizing everything, from earning rewards to playing games with the best house edge. It’s often most helpful to understand what’s available and find a solution that works for you.

Refer to Cashback Terms & Conditions for full program terms.