I visited Fitzgeralds the past weekend on an offer for a free few nights, free drinks at the bar, and a dessert reception. There was also a dinner I didn't attend where they gave out "Emeralds" but I didn't go to that.
Thursday was the first day of a new slot club. They have installed Aristocrat player's card machines. These machines count down the coin-in until a point has been reached and keeps a running total. This was nice because $10 in coin-in equaled one-point. From what I can tell, 1 point is worth 1 cent of cash back. I asked at the player's club booth about comps too because I seemed to be earning them at a much higher rate, and I believe the database is correct that you get .2% comps in addition to cashback. However, the "supervisor" of the slot club told me that *she thinks* that for every point you earn, one cent is put into cashback, one cent into comps, and one cent into a "pot" that they use. I have no idea what this means, and wasn't going to get it out of her because she seemed very unsure.
They have two levels of player's cards. Supposedly you earn cashback at a higher rate (double) on the Emerald Card, but I didn't notice that happening. I didn't ask about it either.
There were very few machines with TITO, and absolutely no video poker with TITO. I overheard a slot floorperson saying that they are hoping to be completely TITO in a year. That sure would be nice instead of having to cash out 800 nickels from a Multistrike machine.
I'm sorry I didn't verify the inventory, I didn't have a printout with me, but it seems correct. But I can confirm that when I left on Sunday morning, the $1 8/5 BP progressive near the hotel registration desk was up to $5,600.00 (just over $100%). There were a couple of larger progressives when I was there and when it hasn't been hit in a while, they place a sign near it that says, "Overdue Jackpot" until someone hits it!
I can add to the inventory that there was at least one 50 cent 8/5 BP machine across from the hotel registration desk just between the 3/5 play machines and the nickel slot progressive machines.
The buffet leaves A LOT to be desired.
DB in SD