If you are a Harrah's 7 star member there is a new benefit - you can get
one so-called free cruise on Norweigan Cruise Line once a year. It is for
an Oceanview cabin on select cruises such as Mexican Rivera, Alaska,
Caribbean (but some are excluded such as New England, Hawaii, or the new Epic
ship). 2 people, both of whom are 7stars can combine to get a Balcony Cabin.
The certificate is #206132 - phone NCL at 877-742-9521 for information.
The bad part is that you pay for port taxes, fees, and gratuity/service.
The fees include something called NCF, so as a result, expect to pay
several hundred dollars (or more) per cabin in the various fees, plus the
gratuity (added on at time of sailing to your bill) of $12 per person per day.
Cruises are 7 days.
You can book until March 31 of 2011 and must use the certificate by March
31 of 2011.
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There are new 7 Star levels or quasi-levels, and when you reach each one
you qualify for a choice of trips. The first is 125,000 base points, and it
goes up from there to 200,000, 300,000, etc. At the top level you get
great trips such as an African safari, at 125,000 not so much.
I'm unclear as to the procedure as how to actually get one of these
"experiences" - do you contact any host or your main host?
Also, you must reach that level during the current year, so you'd need
125,000 base points by at least March 31 of 2011 to qualify for this year - and
once again, you must use the experience trip by March 31 2011!
Some of the trips are for special dated events such as Kentucky Derby (too
late), July 4, etc., so you must reach the level by then.
It is unclear whether you can combine this "experience" with the regular 7
Star Trip (which consists of airfare, rooms, and $500 credit toward food,
etc.). But 7 Star Members of 100,000 points or more do get the regular 7
Star Trip once a year.
It is good that Harrah's is increasing the extra goodies for 7 Star
members. It is too bad they couldn't be just a little bit clearer in their
brochure as to how it all works. Also I find it odd that you get the trips this
year based on play this year, since many people will not reach required
levels until far into the year, thus making it harder and harder to book the
"experiences." If you reached one of these levels in 2009 for example,
you don't get any experience this year.
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Harrah's 7 Star members should also be aware that they get other benefits
too - you won't get a letter to remind you about it. Besides the regular
once a year 7 Star Trip I mentioned before, you get a gift (go online and
look up benefits and choose a gift), a $500 once a year dinner (for any
occasion - take as many people as you want to any restaurant), and free room
nights.
Also, many individual casinos offer special 7 star benefits. At Biloxi Ms
you can go to the spa (up to about $125 I believe) for a free spa service
once a month. At Las Vegas, I believe you can play golf free (but what
about non-golfers??). In New Orleans you get a free carriage ride or tour
once a year. In Lake Tahoe you can ride on the Tahoe Star boat (summer months
only) for free and take up to 10 people with you, with a nice lunch (we
just did that this weekend and took 8 people who responded to my
VPFree/Harrahs post). And so on. So don't forget to ask your host if you visit any
Harrah's property.
Also 7 Star members should check with hosts about the possibility of
booking into a suite or 7 Star area (if available - they have one at Lake Tahoe,
but we apparently don't rate highly enough - on the other hand we had a
fantastic suite with a view of the lake at Harvey's). 7 Star members also
should show their cards and look for shorter lines for any events such as
tournaments, at cashiers, dining, etc. Separate check-in areas are also
available. You can also have 1 Companion who can get into the Diamond Lounge
without waiting around for you (you'll be gambling!) and avoid lines - you
must be with that person to sign them up and can't change companions during
the year (even if they make 7 Stars themselves!).
If you are going to gamble heavily enough to hit the 7 star status (100,000
base points per year), you might as well become familiar with all the
perks and use them.
We find the service at Harrah's properties generally excellent, and 7 star
members often get even better treatment (which sometimes is hard to imagine
from many fine service people; we've especially noticed great
waiters/waitresses and front desk people). Service from hosts continues to be quite
variable however, and it doesn't seem to matter if you are a winner or a
loser or are 7 Stars or not, so if you deal with a Harrah's host, be prepared
to be pushy to get what you are entitled to, and even that may not help from
some hosts! Over the years I've learned that Jean Scott's advice is right
on the money with hosts -- "Ask!"
(It can never hurt and you'll be amazed how much it helps...and of course
that goes for non-Harrah's properties as well. A very small-time player I
know recently was at the Gold Coast. I suggested he ask for a comp for a
buffet - couldn't hurt - he got several - and now loves the Gold Coast. He
would never have even thought of asking for a comp. Years ago, I would never
have thought of suggesting it - but I've learned, at least a bit, even now
I have to push myself to ask for suites and comps, and I'm sure I'm still
not aggressive enough [in a nice way I mean!]. It can't hurt to inquire
politely, and thank profusely!]
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