Resort Fees at Caesar's and Total Rewards Properties #nofair @BallysVegas

Yes, its been a year since our last trip to Las Vegas.  I have battled leukemia since February, and now that I'm in remission and undergoing maintenance therapy, we have decided its time for a celebratory trip to Las Vegas.  I've mentioned on here before we always stay at Bally's.  We ALWAYS stay at Bally's.  In the seven (yes, 7) years we have been going to Vegas together, we have never, ever, EVER paid a resort fee.  This time, we have been charged one.

It seems the Caesar's properties have started charging resort fees.  What's a resort fee?  I was curious, too.  I called, and the polite customer service representative explained that Bally's resort fee is $18/night (even if you are comp'd or are offered "free" rooms) and includes internet access for one item in your room (I have no idea if this is Wi-Fi), entrance to the fitness center for 2, and local calls.  I asked to remove this fee if we knew we didn't want any of those amenities, and she refused.  Then, I decided to take this one step further and contact the Caesar's online customer service...and this is the context of the email I received from them:

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for writing Bally's Las Vegas.

As of March 1st, 2013, all Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas have implemented a mandatory Resort Fee that ranges from $15-$25 depending on which hotel you will be staying at. As stated, these fees are mandatory for all guests who book with exception of Platinum, Diamond and Seven Star TR members.

If there is anything else we can do to further assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Thank you,

I might not be Platinum, Diamond, or Seven Stars rated on my total rewards card, but I am a loyal (very loyal) customer.   I personally think Bally's and Caesars are making a big mistake nickel and diming their customers in this way...especially when they proudly advertised "NO RESORT FEES" everywhere...online and in their hotels!

I do have lots of myVegas points on that fabulous facebook game that could get me a free night in NYNY, so I am hoping N wants to stay there and try out our other favorite place to gamble!

New Slot Machine: CLUE

I am super excited about this one!  Clue, the game and 80s movie we all loved as kids, is now in the form of a wonderful slot machine.  Players Life (http://www.playerslife.com/) has connected this game with your total rewards card so you can track your progress and continue from machine to machine.  The Lord of the Rings slot games are similar to this, and when you come home from vegas, you can play 'mini games' online at http://www.playerslife.com/ to gain extra points and unlock bonuses for your next trip! 

To Buffet or Not to Buffet, That is the Question

Before ever traveling to Vegas, I had watched National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation.  The buffet scene was all too much for me, I was grossed out.  I was under the impression that you could get a buffet for $2.99 and it was all kraptacular food, and not worth it.  I was wrong.

Las Vegas today is different.  The resorts and casinos pride themselves on great service, cleanliness, and quality.  Our first trip included a breakfast at the Le Village Buffet in Paris.  At about $15/person, its not cheap by any means for a breakfast.  It is, however, delicious and well worth it if you are in the mood to stuff your face silly.  Okay, that might be harsh, how about:  Its well worth it if you want a good, fresh, custom made omelet, crepes, or your choice of 3-5 different sausages (yes, 3-5 different sausages each day!).  I fell in love with the buffet and even treated my sister and her bachelorette party for breakfast there one day.

Le Village Buffet is hands down my favorite slow breakfast in Vegas.  I take my time.  I savor every bite.  I get an apple or cherry crepe, which is made right in front of you, where your mouth starts watering as you are in awe by their skills.  I think about my possible toppings: powdered sugar, pudding, whipped cream, syrup, or just Au natural.  I wait in line for the omelet stand.  I get a bowl of fruit.  Oh yes, and don't forget the smoked salmon and capers!  This buffet is quite large, but easy to navigate.  If you miss the hash browns or bacon near the waffles, they will probably also be found by the eggs Benedicts.  This meal lasts about an hour.  I enjoy it.  Fully.

Most of the items at the buffets are easily found in all the restaurants in that casino, its just a matter if you and your traveling partners want the same thing or how hungry you are.  I suggest you don't miss the Le Village Buffet, but wait until the day you leave Vegas to splurge and pig out.  This way, you will be satisfied, full, and you won't starve if you are at the airport waiting for a weather delay to pass (which will happen if you are hungover).  If you fall asleep on the plane from carb comatose, no biggie. 

Every resort/casino has a buffet.  The Total Rewards casinos have a special called "Buffet of Buffets."  Essentially, it costs $45 for a 24 hour pass to a slew of different buffets.  You can eat as much as you want, go to each buffet as many times as you want, and just go crazy.  The buffets included in the Buffet of Buffets are:  Spice Market Buffet (in Planet Hollywood), Paradise Garden Buffet (in Flamingo), Carnival World Buffet (in The Rio), Flavors Buffet (in Harrah's), and of course Le Village Buffet, in Paris.  For an additional $15, you can also add the Seafood Buffet at The Rio, which my boyfriend has told me wondrous things about.  If you love Crab Legs and all things fine seafood, its one to hit.  This 24 hour pass is a good deal if you plan on going to most of these places during that time.  Its easy to spend $45 on just dinner for one at one fine dining establishment in Las Vegas, so it can be a money saver for the penny pincher...or the hearty eater!

Total Rewards Readies for Year of the Dragon

Total Rewards is the players club for Caesars Entertainment.  It includes: Caesars Palace, Bally's, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Rio, Bill's, Harrah's, and the Flamingo (possibly more).  Their blog, The Pulse of Vegas, has an article about a special Total Rewards Card coming out to mark the Year of the Dragon, which can be read here:
Total Rewards Readies for Year of the Dragon

Total Rewards is a wonderful program---their website is interactive and easy to navigate.  I make all my reservations through this site, because we get such great offers.  One card works at all the above casinos, and the points gather and accumulate so easy, especially with all these great places located very close to each other on the Strip.  You can also easily gain points with regular online shopping you do at home.  Just click on the "Marketplace" link on the total rewards site, and they will track how much $$ you spend at the participating online retailers (like jcp.com, clinique.com, oldnavy.com, and petsmart.com).  You get rewards points for every dollar you spend!  Because I do a lot of shopping online at Christmas time, I have gained 300 points without leaving my house this winter!  I feel confident that will get me a few free nights at Ballys on our next stay, which is AWESOME!

I was born in the Year  of the Dragon, so I am super excited and want one!  Do you think they will save one for me?