We just went to New Orleans on a special Harrah's promotion. We were able
to get free air to N.O., free room, and also pick up a 5 day cruise (Oct. 3-8)
[is anyone else going then?].
I will be writing more about this trip for Skip Hughes Video Poker Player
Magazine. If you are not a subscriber, I recommend it highly for
_www.vphomepage.com_ (http://www.vphomepage.com) .
This is one of the major advantages of playing at Harrah's - special offers
like the above. Unfortunately Harrah's Las Vegas also has pitifully poor
cashback and not much good VP.
But the thing about visiting Harrah's New Orleans is that there are several
great features. The people are very nice, the city is colorful and has a lot
to see, and Harrah's sends many offers out for free rooms or even free or
partial airfare, as we had.
VIDEO POKER - I found 9/6 DDB in quarters, $1, 10-play $1, and maybe more.
9/6 Jacks or Better is probably the best bet - found in quarter, $1 and $5
single line, $1 triple play, and $1 10play too. 9/7DB in quarter single line
and up. NSU is gone from the quarter level. I did find $1 3/5 play NSU in
the high roller area. Most of the video poker machines are clustered
together, making it easy to find them. For $1 and up players check the high roller
area.
POINTS & STUFF. I found Harrah's "bonus" points accumulating at very low
rates at N.O. Only 1-2 times "base" points. It didn't seem to matter if I was
playing VP or "reel" slots. Cashback accrues differently (and possibly
better) than in Vegas, but cashback checks can only be cashed in N.O. or a few
places like Tunica and are only good for shorter periods. I spoke to a host
who promised to honor an expired cashback coupon for up to $100 if I came back
in Oct. So if you can't keep coming back, you might lose your cashback, as I
did last year. Try talking to a host before departure to see if you can
finagle something.
DIAMOND LOUNGE is the Palm Room. A little food, bar, big screen tv.
FREEBIES - Ask at the VIP Services counter in the back of the high
roller/baccaret pit area for the following: tickets to IMAX, tickets to the Aquarium,
tickets to Improv, and maybe Earl Turner show. You may need to be Diamond
for these, but it doesn't hurt to ask. The woman I talked to wasn't too quick
to tell me what freebies were available, but when I specifically mentioned
Imax, she brought out tickets, and then as I keep questioning her, coughed up
the Aquarium. If you have problems, contact a host. Also a host can
arrange for you to be picked up at the airport by limo - as we were. So call them
in advance of arrival.
USE YOUR POINTS FOR GOODIES. Your comp points can be used to book Grey Line
and other sightseeing tours - go to VIP Services. You can also book things
like Natchez dinner/jazz cruise. The really good thing is that you can use
your comp points for food in many restaurants around town, such as the famous
Commander's Palace and others. VIP will provide a list with approximate
costs for dinner - add perhaps another $20 to this amount and then get a voucher
for dinner. Don't bother with eating at Harrah's own good, but not fantastic
Besh Steakhouse, when you can go out to eat at G.W. Fins (highly
recommended) for fish or elsewhere. You can use $300 worth of Harrah's comps to book
an airline trip to any Harrah's property. New Orleans Harrah's may also
possibly rebate part or all of your trip to visit them (based on play) - possibly
by using your comp points - so ask about this if you pay for your flight
before you leave.
OTHER STUFF. The buffet inside Harrah's is great for breakfast and lunch,
and you can swipe points. They also have a Starbucks. Breakfast runs till
11am, but they remove a lot of the food by 10:30 - it then goes continuously
into lunch. Harrah's hotel is being built and not available until April 2006.
Their hotel offers will put you up in places such as Hilton, Doubletree, W,
or Wyndym nearby. I liked location of Hilton across street. They don't seem
to have many as many king sized beds as they do in other areas. At Hilton
we had 2 "double beds" but they were very skinny (more like singles). Request
King in advance if you want it. Harrah's is within walking distance (or
trolley) of French Quarter/Bourbon Street. Also quick walk to Aquarium and free
ferry to other side of Mississippi. Note New Orleans gets warm and muggy in
summer. Best time to visit - winter, spring, fall. March was excellent.
Check at Total Rewards for other special promotions - I got a t-shirt.
7 STAR GOODIES - The _www.harrah.com_ (http://www.harrah.com) site says
that 7 Star people get a special "Besh Steakhouse" tasting. When we tried to
find out what this was, we were told it was just an extra free appetizer -
which we did get when we ate there. The people we spoke to seemed confused about
this amenity. They don't seem quite set up yet. Also you apparently are
not guaranteed a suite if 7 Star - but ask for one in advance - they may be
able to book it (or not - hosts were wishy washy on responses).
More detailed report will be written soon and published in Skip Hughes
"Video Poker Player." So if you don't subscribe - you should.
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