Vegas News January 16, 2022

Thoughts From The Vegas Strip

I’m going to share some thoughts from the Vegas Strip this week since there’s not too much news to share. This is traditionally one of the slowest weeks in Las Vegas. This week was even slower than usual. 

I enjoyed my monthly visit to Cosmopolitan. This week marked my 12th consecutive month spending a few nights at the Cosmopolitan and it was a bit different. The week after CES and before Martin Luther King day is always slow in Las Vegas. 

This year was even slower than usual. It was shocking…and I loved it! Here’s a look at the lack of cars on the Vegas Strip from Wednesday evening. Sunset is usually the time of day were traffic and cars are starting to build up. The Vegas Strip was this busy day and night from Monday through Thursday.

There were so few cars on the Vegas Strip that it seemed possible to J-Walk without concern about being hit by a car. This probably wasn’t the case but that’s what it looked like.

Just A Hunch – Thoughts From The Vegas Strip

I’m going to take a slightly educated guess that some people decided to cancel midweek trips to Las Vegas because of the current Covid surge. That’s just a hunch. 

I was slightly concerned about being in a busy casino this week. Since there were so few people around I ended up spending way too much time gambling and drinking more than I expected. It was strange to see so many open seats at the Chandelier Bar. I decided to take advantage and enjoyed it despite the video poker bosses not dealing me enough good hands.

Restaurants were slower than usual. The line for Eggslut in the morning didn’t start until about 10 minutes before opening. There are usually around 20 people waiting at this time. Holsteins was only opened for lunch on Tuesday and Thursday. Hattie B’s usually has a line for lunch and dinner but there was rarely more than one or two people waiting.

M Life (MGM Rewards) Tier Match

Bellagio appeared similarly slow when I visited to check out the new conservatory and botanical garden (see below). I also did the M Life Rewards tier match while I was there. There was nobody in the M Life Rewards line and the upgrade took about two minutes. 

Hot and Cold – Thoughts From The Vegas Strip

This part of the year runs hot and cold. This weekend will be a little busier because most people have off on Monday. The week after might be slower. The NHL All-Star game and NFL Pro Bowl should draw people in a couple of weeks. Super Bowl weekend should be busy as usual.

Restaurants are changing hours pretty often so check before making plans. Additionally, try to be patient as the people working may be a bit overworked and stressed. It looks as though the spring and summer may be closer to 2019 levels but who can say anything for certain at this time. 

I’m just going to plan accordingly and enjoy the lack of people during weekdays. Las Vegas has many faces. Sometimes the high-energy days and nights are fun. Then there are week’s like this with no vibe unless you’re the one bringing it. The different types of experiences are part of the appeal of Las Vegas.

Goodbye Roll To Win Craps

The current version of Roll To Win Craps was introduced in 2018. It didn’t see much traction in casinos until last year. The game only needed one dealer (stick person) and didn’t use cash. It was a good option for casinos during peak Covid.

It didn’t take long but it looks like Roll To Win craps is on its way out of casinos already. The Roll to Win craps game was turned off when I visited Cosmopolitan last month. After noticing the game turned off, multiple people let me know that there were ways to legally and illegally beat the game. Well, Roll To Win craps is no longer at the Cosmopolitan. It was replaced with a traditional craps game.

I’ve heard that Caesars turned off a couple of positions at Roll To Win craps tables at some of its Las Vegas casinos. I didn’t make it to one of the properties to see if that’s the case or if they’ve been removed completely.

If the games are still around, I wouldn’t be surprised if all the games are removed before long. Casinos aren’t in the business of leaving games that can be exploited – legally or not – on the casino floor. Roll To Win craps, we hardly knew ya.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

It was a pretty quiet week on the casino news front in Las Vegas. Casinos will begin reporting earnings in early Feb. so I expect we’ll start to hear some news start leaking out over the next few weeks. In the meantime, there’s always something happening in Las Vegas.

• The new Bellagio conservatory display for Year of the Tiger is up. You can see my pics here. You can see the press release with details and more pics here.
• Peter Luger Steakhouse will be opening at Caesars Palace Las Vegas later this year. The restaurant will replace Rao’s. Read more here.
• Do people really want to see a tiger magic show in 2022? Read more here.
• A renovated Tao Beach Club will open at The Venetian this spring. Read more here.
• This week Wynn announced a slew of new Master Classes. The most interesting might be going behind the scenes with the K9 team. Read more here.

• Caesars finished its room renovations at the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace. Read more here.
• The Nevada Gaming Control Board released its Gaming Abstract with a ton of interesting info on casinos this week. Read the press release here and the massive full report here.
• Bar Zazu is now open at Resorts World. Read more here.
• Sammy Hagar will be back at The Strat in Feb. and March. Read more here.
• Renovations at Chica inside The Venetian are complete and the restaurant is open. Read more here.
• Light Nightclub at Mandalay Bay will reopen in February. Read more here.
• Next door, S Bar has replaced Red Square. Read more here.
• Oscar’s Steakhouse at Plaza is getting some outdoor seating later this year. Read more here.
• MGM Resorts released some information about the redesigned Aria Sky Suites and Villas. Read more here.

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Vegas News January 9, 2022

Before we get to the big loyalty news and MGM Rewards Details, we are happy to report that The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) went off as planned this week. CES says that more than 40,000 people attended the convention this year. 

CES is typically the largest convention of the year in Las Vegas. That probably won’t be the case this year. Attendance this year was about 75% less than in 2019 when approximately 180,000 people were at the CES.

This isn’t much of a surprise with the cancelations we’ve been hearing about over the past few weeks. Still, the pictures from CES with so much empty space are shocking.

CES and Casinos

I went to CES the year I moved to Las Vegas. My goal for visiting the convention was to see if I could find new tech that would be in casinos. It was so busy that I couldn’t see anything that looked remotely interesting. That wasn’t the case this year.

The video above of pizza robots was interesting three and a half years ago when MGM Resortsintroduced room service robots at Vdara. It doesn’t appear that there was all that much new at CES this year.

I usually source tech blogs to find new and new products and services at CES that may one day be in casinos. Fun fact, some of the new tech 10 years ago like flatscreen TVs and tablets are still being used throughout casinos today. Amazing to think that was only 10 years ago.

CES this year was similar to G2E. The companies that made it to the show we essentially creating new versions of technology that already existed. While that’s a personal yawn, it’s great to see the convention was able to go on even if it was smaller.

Covid 19 is still a pain in the ass for everyone. Businesses everywhere are still adapting to constant changes from consumers. This ties into the biggest casino news from the week…

MGM Rewards Officially Announced

MGM Resorts officially introduced MGM Rewards this week. The new program will go into effect Feb. 1. What stood out to me is that this is an example of great corporate public relations. 

Last week MGM Resorts dropped news about earning Tier Credits for MGM Rewards. This was paned at every outlet that decided to cover it.

Since there was no press release, mainstream media barely discussed the topic. All of the negative coverage about MGM Rewards was quickly covered up with the official news release that went out to all media and investors.

As many mainstream media outlets covered the official news, the articles critical about the devaluation were pushed down in search.

Brilliant!

I feel like this is a tactic MGM Resorts has used in the past but I can’t remember when.

MGM Rewards Highlights

The changes to MGM Rewards, in part, happened in order to put all MGM Resorts properties in the US on the same page. Previously, regional casinos like Empire City in New York were on a Tier Credit different earnings level. 

MGM Rewards puts earning credits in NY the same as Las Vegas. Now guests at all MGM Resorts properties earn at the same rate.

While guests at the Las Vegas properties will see a drastic 84% devaluation of points, those who go to casinos in New York and other locations will only see a 50% devaluation. 

Additionally, these regional MGM Resorts casinos can earn credits for non-gaming spending for the first time. Unfortunately, Las Vegas customers will notice the negative more than those who visit the regional properties.

You can head to the MGM Rewards FAQ to read more about the new program.

Another great overview is from Gary Leff at View From The Wing. Be sure to review the article: MGM Resorts Adds Suite Upgrades, Airfare Credit And Celebration Dinners As Elite Benefits. In addition, Gary also touched on some of the developments with regard to how this will impact World Of Hyatt Program Members and MGM reservations and award redemptions.

Taking A Wait And See Approach

I don’t gamble much at MGM Resorts casinos so this doesn’t impact me much as it might others. My visits to MGM’s Las Vegas casinos are usually to eat and/or drink. The change to rewards will impact me minimally for the 10-15 visits I make annually to MGM properties.

Having said that, I’m going to wait and see if the new MGM Rewards program will change how I feel about the company. Ultimately, this will impact me at some point but I’m not in a rush to make any strong statements right away.

We’ve been discussing casinos reducing rewards since before Covid-19. Personally, I’ve been dealing with this since 2018 when Boyd Gaming introduced its new B-Connected rewards program. 

I used to visit Boyd casinos to eat, drink and gamble regularly prior to the change with B-Connected. The rewards were fair for my mid-budget gambling. That was no longer the case with the new program.

A Business Can Do Whatever They Want

That’s fine, a business can do whatever they want to make a buck. I have a choice on whether or not to visit that business. In this case, I chose to move on.

Since the changes were made to B-Connected, I’ve barely gambled at Boyd casinos (maybe $300 since 2018). I didn’t even bother using a card the last time I visited Gold Coast. GASP!

I don’t speak about this often and it doesn’t stop me from visiting Boyd properties to eat or drink. There are plenty of local casino options for me.

Boyd told me they didn’t want my business so I took it elsewhere. I switched my local play from Boyd’s Suncoast Casino to Rampart Casino. The latter has fair rewards for my budget and offers enough good games to be a solid local casino option.

I’m sharing my story about Boyd for a reason. If you feel like the MGM Rewards program isn’t for you find another option that does offer what you want.

Maybe I’m Thinking About A Change A Little Bit

As I’m writing this, I’ve found myself thinking about my future with MGM Rewards a little.

I highly doubt my play at Cosmopolitan will be enough to keep the monthly comp visits, food credits, and free play when MGM Resorts takes over. Again, I’ll deal with this when I have to. 

So far Resorts World looks like it might have the fairest Vegas Strip offers for me. I’m curious to see how the new owners change Grazie at The Venetian when they take over.

There are still a few months before I have to deal with the changes. Frankly, I love spending a few days at the Cosmopolitan per month and would love for that to continue. I doubt it will but I’m not going to get bogged down worrying about it.

What are your thoughts about the changes to MGM Rewards?

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• Resorts World just introduced Rose Rooftop at Zouk Nightclub. You can eat outside in an “igloo” through February on evenings the club is open. You shouldn’t be surprised that this isn’t cheap. Read more here.
• Virgin Las Vegas received the Four Diamond Award from AAA. Read more here. ​​
• Martha Stewart’s restaurant inside Paris Las Vegas will open this spring. Read the press release here.
• Dave’s Hot Chicken is open at Bally’s. For what it’s worth, a friend who loves Hattie B’s and loved Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken says he didn’t enjoy it as much as the others. Read more here.
• Rumor of the week 1: The Grammy’s will relocate to Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Lyft now offers rewards that can be connected to other programs. Read more here.
• MGM Resorts has some Garth Brooks VIP packages at Park MGM available during his two shows. See more here.
• Rihana lingerie store is coming to Las Vegas. The location is TBA. No word if Riri will follow. Read more here.
• Rumor of the week 2: Imploding Luxor!? Read more here.
• This rumor is dropping after an MGM Resorts executive discussed building something new at Excalibur or elsewhere in the area. Getting rid of Luxor and Excalibur has been rumored for years.  There was also talk of expanding the west side of both casinos when Allegiant Stadium was being built so there were bars and restaurants facing the stadium.
• MGM Resorts reports earnings on Feb. 9. If there’s an announcement it should happen before or after. Remember that the recent sale announcement about The Mirage that was picking up steam in the rumor mill prior to the last earnings call was announced shortly afterwards.
• Cheap Trick’s Las Vegas residency is moving from The Venetian to The Strat. Read more here.
• Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air ordered 50 Boeing 737 airplanes. Could be useful info for the AVGeeks that may have missed the news. Read more here.
• Just a reminder that Covid-19 is causing some small shows to cancel. You might want to double check before booking tickets. Read more here.
• SAHARA Las Vegas has an online sportsbook!…in Arizona. Read more here.
• You can see what appear to be renderings for an article reads like an advertorial for Aria Sky Suites here.
• The NFL is opening a retail store at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Read more here.
• Are you ready to make plans for New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas? The discount is gone but you can still buy tickets for Zouk inside Resorts World. Read more here.

• The tweet above is an interesting idea. You can buy steak knives from Carversteak inside Resorts World.
• Could former Wynn CEO become the Las Vegas Raiders CEO? Read more here. 

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Vegas News January 2, 2022

Happy New Year + Katy Perry Residency

Happy New Year! We hope you, your family, and your friends are all in good health. It looks like we’re going to start off the new year with the same annoying news as last year. (You’ll have to wait a bit until we get to some cool details about the Katy Perry Residency.)

A new round of Covid-19 is going around. You might have heard about this. All protocols remain the same in Nevada at this point. You still have to wear a mask indoors unless you’re eating, drinking, or smoking.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) sent a memo to casino operators to inform them that there would be increased scrutiny about adhering to the mask mandate over New Year’s Eve weekend. 

CES Update

As we mentioned in the last Vegas News article of 2021, the increase in cases has companies pulling out of the convention that’s typically the largest in Las Vegas. CES is still on at this time with one change. The electronics show will be a day shorter than usual.

I understand the conference wants to go on. There are many smaller tech companies already committed financially and pulling out would crush their finances. It would also be a statement if CES can pull off a major convention with the current situation. Again, there’s probably plenty of money at stake here.

I wish CES the best. Even getting through a scaled-back in-person convention would be a step forward for CES and Las Vegas. 

World of Concrete is the next major convention set to take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 17-20. The organizers say the conference will continue as planned. 

Frankly, the biggest problem for either convention might be all of the canceled flights due to the rapid spread of Covid-19. The worker shortage is affecting more and more businesses around the country and in Las Vegas. 

Lawry’s Prime Rib is temporarily closed due to staffing issues. Others around Las Vegas are having similar issues. The closest Dunkin Donuts to me is only operating a drive-thru because they don’t have people to keep an eye on the inside. GASP!

Enough Covid-related news. Let’s get to the good stuff with a bunch of Quick Hits!

Las Vegas Quick Hits

Katy Perry Residency

Katy Perry opened her Play residency at Resorts World Las Vegas. If you like Katy Perry, you should love this show. If you’re not a fan you probably won’t like this much. The show reminds me of the huge Las Vegas production shows of the past on acid. I think I like it a bit too much.

I watched most of the show online and thought it was great for what it is. The production is fantastic. 

Read about the Katy Perry residency show here. Read the press release here. Check out some pictures from the show here. The quick video below makes me lol.

• M Life Rewards will become MGM Rewards. You can read about the updates to the program here. ​​
• We’ve been writing about casino operators cutting back rewards for more than a year now. It looks as if MGM Rewards will join the others. Join the discussion about this on the TravelZork/ZorkCast Facebook group.
• You can still smoke in the casino at Downtown Grand but you can’t smoke inside the rooms. Read more here.
• New York-New York has a cashless arcade! Read more here. This is only in the arcade for now. 
• The month-over-month visitation growth in Las Vegas had to stop eventually. Check out the monthly Executive Summary of visitation in November here.
• Even with the dips across the board, the average daily hotel room rate in November was $155.93. 
• Meanwhile, gaming revenue in Nevada continued its torrid pace in November. Read more here. See the full report here. Once again, slot machines led the way in gaming revenue for casinos.
• Sports bettors can find more on another big month for sports betting in Nevada here.
• Circa has a new “secret bar” in its high-limits room. Read about it here.

• There are a number of “secret bars” in Las Vegas casinos including Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den at Resorts World and Ghost Donkey at Cosmopolitan. The latter is one of my favorite small bars in Las Vegas. Ghost Donkey reminds me about a dive bar from downtown Manhattan. I spent a lot of time in this part of New York after college and before moving to Las Vegas. My enjoyment of this bar is not a coincidence. Unfortunately, the original location is closed.
• Las Vegas is getting more expensive but there are still tourist destinations that had higher prices for New Year’s Eve. Read more here.
• We knew this already but Fontainebleau is going to target the high-end market if it ever opens. Read more here.
• Usher may be leaving Caesars Palace Las Vegas for Park MGM. Read more here.
• We share restaurant news as it’s announced but looking at it in bulk is almost overwhelming. Here’s a useful overview of restaurants opening in Las Vegas this year.
• Nevada Senator Harry Reid passed away last week. Read about how he helped save CityCenter here.
• Heads up: I’ve been noticing an increase in the number of people starting to make plans to visit Las Vegas for the first weekend of March Madness from March 17-20. Once again this falls during St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break. Plan accordingly.
• Here’s a video of the intro video and first song from the Katy Perry residency. Happy New Year!

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Vegas News December 26, 2021

Vegas News Holiday Edition

It finally happened! Last week was the first time we missed posting a Sunday Vegas News column. Thanks to people visiting Las Vegas and another fantastic ZorkFest we got a little behind schedule.

Frankly, it’s not such a bad thing as there was little Vegas news this week. Instead of the normal Vegas News, we’re going to combine the news that was finished during ZorkFest with a few items that happened this week.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 is a big story in the news again. All protocols remain the same inside Las Vegas casinos so there’s nothing new to report there. The major news about this topic in Las Vegas is about CES next year.

The increased number of Covid-19 cases is forcing some of the largest companies to pull out of CES in January. As of today, CES will take place. Since there are fewer people visiting, hotel room rates are lower than usual. 

I don’t expect changes to any of the current casino, bar, and restaurant Covid-19 protocols but ya never know. Stay tuned to social media in case something drastic happens.

The news last week in Las Vegas was heavy. Selling The Mirage is one thing. Finding out the entire property may be entirely different in a few years is taking some by surprise.

While Hard Rock International is planning on making radical changes to The Mirage, the company will not be Imploding The Mirage. That said, it’s entirely possible the casino is nothing like the place Clark Griswold and his family stayed so many years ago.

• Doobie Brothers will have a limited engagement at Planet Hollywood next year. Read more here.
• Shania Twain added some more shows to the end of her Planet Hollywood residencies. Read more here. 
• Wayne Newton is back at Flamingo Las Vegas! Read more about Mr. Las Vegas here.
• MGM Resorts has an M Life Tier match program through January. Read more here.
• Green Valley Ranch is 20! Read more here.
• Resorts World has a new massager for guests. Read more here.
• A new lounge is opening at Sahara next year. Read more here.
• I’m told people like Criss Angel. He’s doing a new thing. Read more here.
• Fireworks are returning to the Vegas Strip on New Year’s Eve. Read more here.

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ZorkFest 2021 – December 17 and 18, 2021

Join us this weekend for ZorkFest 2021! There is still time to buy tickets. Your ZorkFest 2021 ticket includes the Podcaster Events. Separate Podcaster Event Tickets are also available.

ZorkFest 2021 Ticket Includes:

• Cocktail Reception
• $25 Match Play
• Buffet Italian Lunch
• Live Audience Podcaster Event
• ZorkFest Conference
• Points Challenge to win prizes including cruise and airfare.

There will be sessions running simultaneously. Mix and Match sessions, meet other people with similar interests. Attend as many sessions as you desire. You will gain numerous insights to SAVE YOU MONEY on all of your travel planning. One good “tip” can save you hundreds of dollars in the coming year. All in a small group setting that encourages questions and participation.  Featuring Anthony Curtis of Las Vegas Advisor talking about “The LVA Way.” Also, Gilbert Ott of God Save the Points. You do not want to miss this!

Visit The Schedule Page

Be sure to visit the schedule page for all of the most current details and updates about the event.

The post JOIN US! – December 17 and 18 – ZorkFest 2021 appeared first on TravelZork.

Vegas News December 12, 2021

A Perfectly Simple Plan

Last week I mentioned that I was enjoying a few days away from my computer with my crew in town when Vegas News was published. The long weekend was over shortly after Vegas News was published last Sunday.

The schedule for the long weekend was perfectly simple. Outside of at least one meal per day and/or an event to enjoy for a few hours, there wasn’t much on the agenda. This long weekend seemed like it would be how Vegas 2022 will be with people visiting Las Vegas for the first time in a couple of years.

My Vegas Vacation – Overview

Here’s a very quick overview of the four days. I had one of the best meals of my life at Carbone inside Aria. The bourbon and company had a lot to do with that but the food and service were great as usual. Everything was so perfect that I didn’t take a single picture.

Dinner at Bazaar Meat inside Sahara was different but also great. All together the meal lasted about 2.5 hours. We created our own tasting menu and it was just perfect. This was a great time spent with the crew.

Another amazing lunch with the crew at Ping Pang Pong @goldcoastcasino. Hit two 4OAK in a row (7’s,K’s) at Pai Gow Poker but was told I couldn’t take pics so you get the sportsbook. pic.twitter.com/09KGIF8Hae

— Marc (@MeltzVegas) December 8, 2021

Those meals were pricey. While they were great not every meal has to be expensive. The total price for a massive lunch at Ping Pang Pong inside Gold Coast costs the same as the per-person cost at the other restaurants. It was also delicious.

Between concerts and sports, we had something to do outside of the casinos. This was great but noticeably different from previous years where we’d gamble for hours every day and night.

Outside of an afternoon at gambling at El Cortez, it wasn’t much of a thought. I imagine many group trips to Las Vegas have been this way. We just enjoyed seeing each other for the first time in almost two years. 

This was the December work break I remember from a couple of years ago. Spending a few days at Delano for this time last year doesn’t quite compare. 

Enjoying Vegas The Way I Used To

I still enjoy my quiet midweek days and nights in the casino but it was great to enjoy Las Vegas the way I used to. I’m sharing all of this to say that Las Vegas is still here and rocking. The return to normalcy will continue next year with conventions, shows, and more international tourists visiting. 

It was great to experience Las Vegas like a tourist again. The inconvenience of wearing a mask around a group of people was minimal. That’s probably because we eat and drink often when we’re together. Masks aren’t required during either activity. 

Enough about my winter break. Let’s get to the news!

Las Vegas Quick Hits

The year is winding down and much of the news is looking forward to next year. As I’ve mentioned before this is usually a mellow news period. Having said that, there’s still plenty of information that will impact future visits to Las Vegas.

• The Miracle Mile Shops at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort will be renovated throughout next year. Everything should be done in time for the opening of new competition across the street next to Crystals Mall and Aria. Read more here.
• The Nevada Gaming Commission released the agenda for its next meeting. San Manuel should get approved to operate Palms and its sportsbook. There’s also a mention of semi-private gaming at a few MGM Resorts properties. Read more here.
• New Year’s Eve fireworks are returning this year. Specifics will be revealed on Dec. 16. Read a little bit about it here.
• It looks like there are quite a few late sign-ups for CES in January. Attendance will still be behind 2019 but this seems to be at a satisfactory pace. Read more here.
• McCarran International Airport will Harry Reid International Airport become on Tuesday. Read more about LAS (the code remains the same) here.
• Remember deadmau5? He now has a residency at Resorts World. Read more here.
• Michael Bublé also has a residency at Resorts World starting next year. Read more here.
• I’ve been to Resorts World a lot and forgot about Marigold until I saw it was closed for renovations last week. Read more here.
• John Legend will have a residency at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort next year. Read more here.
• Mohegan Sun reported earnings this week. The company had a lot to say about Las Vegas. See the press release here.
• Spirit Airlines will have more direct flights from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. Read more here.
• David Lee Roth added a few more shows to his residency at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Read more here.
• There’s a ton of Classic Rock coming to Las Vegas next year. Read more here.

Adele Residency Tickets Flying

• You’ve probably heard a lot about Adele’s tickets for the residency at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. She had more than $50 million in ticket sales on Wednesday. Retail prices ranged from $85 to $5,000. Use “read-only” to see more details here.

• The Venetian is done with 2021. The casino is ready for the Year of the Tiger in 2022. Read more here.
• Arizona State is playing Wisconsin in the first Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Read more here.
• Emmit Smith formerly of the Dallas Cowboys is opening a restaurant at the Fashion Show Mall. Read more here.
• Freed’s Bakery is open in downtown Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Golden Nugget was going to go public. That’s no longer the case. Too bad, I’d like to hear more about their business. Read more here.
• Las Vegas tops the list of cities for an expansion Major League Soccer team. Read more here.
• The I-15 freeway is being widened. Read more here.
• Last and least, Waldorf Astoria charges for fancy ice. I first wrote about this topic at least six years ago for a website that no longer exists. See prices here.

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Vegas News December 5, 2021

This was a big weekend in Las Vegas. The headliner is that the NFR (National Final Rodeo) is underway in Las Vegas! In addition to a slew of country music concerts, there was a Foo Fighters show, Raiders game versus the Washington Football Team, and a lot more.

I enjoyed one of those things and will be enjoying the other by the time this is posted. I can’t wait to share my four-day holiday on the Vegas Strip with some of my favorite tourists from around the country. 

In the meantime, let’s look at the news that happened in and around Las Vegas this week.

Oakland A’s + Las Vegas

Imploding The Trop? – Did I Get Your Attention?

The headlines this week say that the A’s are looking “considering” building a stadium where the Tropicana is. The team hasn’t made an offer on the land. 

The team is “considering” a lot of locations including land at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, in Summerlin, and near Wild Wild West Casino. 

Yawn.

My favorite headline on this topic comes from Field of Schemes. This is a great old school (90’s/early 00’s) blog that focuses on funding sports stadiums. Their headline for the news about the A’s new “plan’ for Las Vegas is “Somebody at a gambling conference thinks they might know where in Vegas the A’s want to buy stadium land, maybe”.

This is a good blog post to read for anyone that wants to dig a little deeper than the mainstream media will discuss the topic. This aligns with my thoughts as well. It’s my personal opinion that the A’s are using all sorts of vague tactics to manipulate Alameda County (Oakland) to build a new stadium. 

What Do I Know?

Having said that, I thought the same about the Raiders before they were gifted a stadium. What do I know?! 

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak says the state won’t have a special session about the potential A’s stadium. However, he didn’t emphatically say that Las Vegas won’t assist in building a small 35,000 seat baseball stadium.

Sometimes these things take a while to work themselves out. Stay tuned for more.

Look For Palms To Reopen Around Pool Season

San Manuel received the first approval needed to begin operating Palms. Final approval should come during the next Nevada Gaming Commission meeting on Dec. 16. You can read about the hearing earlier in the week here. 

San Manuel is still keeping their large presentation with plans for Palms private only sharing with the gaming control board. Presenters did drop a few more hints on San Manuel’s plans.

If final approval happens on Dec. 16 as expected the company has a goal to open Palms by pool season. San Manuel will share plans for its pool at a later date. 

Las Vegas pool season usually starts in early March. 

The rooms will mostly be the same since they were renovated shortly before Palms was closed. Some restaurants, but not all will return to Palms. One of the speakers mentioned Scotch 80 will remain at Palms. 

Expect to hear more news after San Manuel receives final approval later this month.

Visitation And Gaming Revenue Quick Hits

I want to point out a couple of things from October’s Nevada Gaming Control Board’s monthly Revenue Report and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority monthly Executive Summary so I thought I’d dedicate a small section to it.

• Nevada had its eighth consecutive month with a gaming win over a billion dollars. Read more here.
• More than $1 billion was wagered on sports in Nevada for the first time. Read more here.
• Casinos won a greater percentage from Three Card Poker than any other casino game. See all games here.
• The Average Daily (hotel room) Rate (ADR) for Las Vegas hotels in October was $173.68. That was up 11.5% from Sept., up 66.1% from  Oct. 2020 and up 28.3% from Oct. 2019.
• Visitor volume continued to rise. In Oct. it was less than 8% less than 2019. 

Vegas Is Back!

Vegas is back! This is a great time to get your casino and hotel loyalty preferences in order. Prices will continue to rise and rewards programs are always a good way to get discounts and comps. Perhaps, also consider attending ZorkFest on December 17th and 18th.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

General Quick Hits

The pace of Las Vegas news isn’t crazy but it’s not quiet. Let’s get to the other news happening in and around Las Vegas.

• Caesars finally announces Adele’s residency. It starts early next year. Read more here.
• The Adele to Caesars rumor is four years old. Read more here.
• An Abba hologram show might go to Park MGM, Caesars Palace Las Vegas or Resorts World. Read more here.
• Speaking of shows at Resorts World Las Vegas, The Theater is now open. Read more here.
• Carrie Underwood unsurprisingly sold out her first residency show at Resorts World. Read more here.
• I’ve seen hundreds of shows in my life and Weird Al was unlike anything else. He’s playing a few shows at The Venetian with Emo Philps. Read more here.
• A Cirque Du Soliel show will be opening at the Zumanity Theater inside New York-New York next spring or summer. The theater will probably be renamed. Read more here.
• Station Casinos sold its land in Reno. Read more here.
• MGM Resorts once again teases that it could build something on unused land at Excalibur. Read more here.
• Bobby Flay Burger is now open at Harrah’s. Read more here.
• Cake Boss is opening another restaurant in Las Vegas. This restaurant will be at The Linq. Read more here.
• Noodle Den is now open at Sahara. Read more here.
• Keith Urban returns to Caesars Palace Las Vegas next May. Read more here. 
• Heads up, Santana has canceled his December shows at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay. Read more here.
• I’m not much of a poker fan but enjoyed this WSOP video about leaving RIO All-Suite Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

« Farewell Rio 2005-2021 » @RioVegas pic.twitter.com/8RQzHKQo0E

— WSOP (@WSOP) December 3, 2021

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Vegas News November 28, 2021

Holiday Season In Las Vegas

When I first started visiting Las Vegas, my friends and I would come the week before Christmas every year during the holiday season in Las Vegas. The mid-week rooms were cheap, and nothing was ever never busy. We could get in any restaurant, club, etc., or gambling with ample room.

During one visit multiple employees were mentioning that the hotels during that week had about 30% capacity or less. This was (and still is) my favorite kind of Las Vegas experience. Partying in Las Vegas with a lot of people is still fun but I prefer being able to do what I want when I want. That’s easier when fewer people are around.

Life is different and that trip has since changed a lot. First, the date has changed to whatever works best for the majority of the crew. Second, I live in Las Vegas but still have touristy fun with the current crew. While different it’s still a great time with great people.

This gathering is what I consider my winter vacation and it’s happening soon for the first time in a couple of years thanks to Covid-19. The plan is absolutely amazing but it won’t be happening when Las Vegas is at the low capacity the trip started at.

Since this long weekend has been in the works for almost 18 months (6 months seriously) we’ve had reservations for everything we could possibly want for a while. As you’ve been hearing, the best restaurants are filled to capacity, and shows are selling tickets as fast as ever.

Genting/Resorts World Earnings

My winter vacation came to mind when I looked at Genting Group’s third-quarter earnings report this week. 

Genting is the owner and operator of Resorts World Las Vegas. While the report is mostly focused on the companies Asian properties there are a few mentions of Las Vegas. One thing that stood out to me was occupancy during the quarter.

The “average hotel occupancy rate during the current period was approximately 56%.” That’s quite a bit behind most of the Las Vegas casino operators that reported earnings already. 

Resorts World Generated Pretty High Overall Revenue

Genting notes that Covid restrictions and the lack of conventions hurt the business. Somehow, the casino across the street (Wynn) had record high room rates during the period. 

Looking forward, I think this will turn out to be a fine start. Resorts World generated pretty high overall revenue for the quarter. International travelers are beginning to visit Las Vegas this quarter. Additionally, the theater that should draw large crowds with big-name residencies will open very soon. 

I’ve changed a lot in some ways and not at all in other ways since moving to Las Vegas. I think one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed my visits to Resorts World so much is that it isn’t crazy busy like some other Vegas Strip hotels lately.

Chalk that up to the lower occupancy since I’ve only stayed midweek when the club isn’t open and the casino is busier. I look forward to seeing how busy it is during the holiday season.

There’s always a purpose to diving into the corporate earnings reports. Resorts World is still the new casino on the block and looking to draw people. The hotel has very competitive and lower room rates compared to other nearby properties. 

A comparison to Wynn isn’t entirely apples to apples. However, it shows the difference in prices of hotels across the street from each other. The hotel rooms at Resorts World are still essentially new. This is definitely a hotel/casino to consider for anyone that doesn’t mind staying at this part of the Vegas Strip.

I’ll have more to report back about Resorts World soon. I plan to check out Eight Cigar Lounge and spend more time at 66 Starlight soon. There may be dinner at a new restaurant involved but I’m leaving that up to other people to tell me about.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

We all hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Every Las Vegas casino still has Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales if you’re looking to save money booking a trip next year. You may just have to act quickly as some run out soon. See a lot of the deals here.

Las Vegas casinos have all switched into Christmas mode. There’s some kind of Christmas cheer all over town. Expect to see even more as we get closer to Santa day. 

• You can already enjoy the holiday beauty of the Bellagio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory. See pics and read about the display here.
• Aria has a less spectacular but still pretty Christmas display. See pics and read about it here.
• I wonder how MGM Resorts will decorate the Cosmopolitan next year.
• December is also rodeo (NFR) month in Las Vegas. There’s lots of cowboy and cowgirl stuff going on. Read more here.
• Crimson at Red Rock has become a neat bar that changes themes throughout the year. The current Christmas theme is great if you’re looking for a different place to visit for some IG pics. Read more here.
• The poker room at Flamingo is closed for good. I highly doubt Bally’s poker room will close with WSOP moving there next year but we’ll see. Read more here. 
• I wonder if Caesars will turn the Flamingo Las Vegas poker room area into a stadium gaming installation like they did at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort. If they do, I doubt it will have room for a go-go dancer stage.
• Brad Garrett Comedy Club is open at a new location inside MGM Grand. Read more here.
• Tickets for the NFL Pro Bowl and college football East-West Shrine game at Allegiant Stadium in February are on sale now. Read more here.
• The past two years are just the beginning of cashless gaming in Las Vegas. Read more here.
• KA at MGM Grand is back. Read more here.

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Vegas News November 21, 2021

Slow News Week And WSOP Moving To The Vegas Strip

We just finished a relatively slow news week in Las Vegas, except for news about WSOP moving to the Vegas Strip. News tends to slow down in Las Vegas after the final earnings reports heading into the holidays. Day-to-day marketing mostly evolves around holiday events and sales. Side note – check your favorite property for current deals. There are plenty available.

On the business side, there’s usually a slowdown as corporations are already planning for next year. Don’t get too sad – there’s always news in Las Vegas. We’ll just move forward through the holiday season with fewer bombshells.

I made my monthly pilgrimage to The Cosmopolitan just in time for some holiday cheer. One of the highlights was going out to the Boulevard Pool to check out the scene when the skating rink opened for the first time this year. This has been around for 10 years but I’ve never experienced it.

Quick stop by the ice skating rink @Cosmopolitan_LV. pic.twitter.com/t7wknlf1D0

— Marc (@MeltzVegas) November 17, 2021

Ice Skating – Cosmopolitan Las Vegas

I’m not a skater so I just grabbed a drink and enjoyed the view. It was early in the evening so there weren’t too many people out staking. Everyone from “lookie lou’s” like me to skaters were having a great time. Everyone I encountered was having a good time. 

I was happy to see the drink prices were the same as most casino bars during skating. Drinks at the rink aren’t cheap ($10 for a boozy seltzer) but they could be worse. The Cosmopolitan often if not always bumps prices for concerts and other events.

Other than skating, it was business as usual at The Cosmopolitan. The big change was an east-facing view of PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort. This is a strip view but there isn’t a fee to upgrade like there is with a Bellagio view room.

I played slots and a lot of video poker at Chandelier Bar. As usual, there was a visit to Jaleo for Sangria Hour. This was pretty much a few days to turn my brain off after a busy year.

World Series Of Poker Crowns A Winner And Finally Confirms Move To The Vegas Strip

Koray Aldemir won the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) Main Event at the Rio All-Suite Hotel. Aldemir takes home more than $8 million in prize winnings in the last WSOP at the off-strip casino.

6,650 WSOP Participants

There were 6,650 participants this year. While not close to a record high number of entries, this was seen as a positive for the event. WSOP was a hybrid event last year mostly taking place online due to Covid-19. 

This year the event was moved from its usual summer time frame. WSOP will return to its customary summertime event when it moves to the Vegas Strip next year.

The 2022 WSOP will take place at Bally’s and Paris from May 31 – July 19, 2022. 

A new addition next year will be Vince Vaughn. The “Swingers” actor was named as the official celebrity Master of Ceremonies for WSOP next year. Coincidentally, I just caught the end of “Wedding Crashers” on one of the cable channels.

Read more about Aldemir’s win here.

Read more about the WSOP moving to the Vegas Strip here.

WSOP Moving To The Vegas Strip Probably Means Bally’s Won’t Be Sold

There have been rumors about Bally’s being on the market for a couple of years now. During Caesars’ last earnings call, CEO Tom Reeg reiterated that the company will look to sell a property in early 2022.

A couple of weeks ago we mentioned that Blake Shelton’s Ole Red was being built outside of Bally’s. 

It seems unlikely that Bally’s will be sold with the announcement that it will co-host the WSOP. It’s possible but unlikely. 

All of this makes a rebrand of Bally’s to Horseshoe even more likely.

If this assumption (never assume, I know) is true then PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort will likely be the casino Caesars makes available for sale. This is all speculation but it lines up nicely. Expect to hear more.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• Aria has a new Christmas display in its lobby. Sorry, no gingerbread house this year. Read more here.
• Resorts World Las Vegas will begin charging $21 per 24 hours for valet starting Nov. 24. Happy Thanksgiving! Self-parking will remain free. Read more here.
• Morning Consult polls are usually fairly accurate. I tend to take them at or close to face value. This poll says nearly 40% of business travelers think they’ll never travel for work again. This seems a bit high for Las Vegas-based on recent earnings calls but it’s from a source I typically trust. Read more here.
• Flamingo Las Vegas is celebrating 75 years. Read more here.
• Speaking of celebrations, Downtown Grand is celebrating eight years. Read more here.
• MGM Resorts is teaming up with Heaven’s Door Spirits to create “777 Blend” whiskey. This is a spirits company co-created with Bob Dylan. I’ll give it a taste next time I’m at an MGM property. Read more here.
• The Academy of Country Music Awards will take place at Allegiant Stadium on March 7. This is a huge venue for an awards show. Read more here.
• Supper Clubs are officially a thing. Read more here.
• There may be a new bridge on Sahara Ave. in two or three years. Read more here if you can’t contain your excitement for a new way to cross a street in two years.
• The Jo Bros (do people still call them that?) are opening Nellie’s Southern Kitchen at MGM Grand next year. Read more here.
• The guy that created the cronut is opening a bakery at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Read more here. ​​
• Carversteak at Resorts World is opening on Dec. 30. I’m pretty sure this will be the first new restaurant I visit in 2022. Read more here.
• Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor sounds like some people I know. He loves to play craps in Las Vegas. Enjoy the short clip below.

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NEW Wynn Las Vegas Rooms

Change is hard. But Vegas is all about change. The NEW Wynn Las Vegas Rooms deviate somewhat from the Roger Thomas style at Wynn in Vegas. I must admit, I am still processing all of this change. Luxury hotels are all about keeping their room product fresh and “new.” Unbelievably the room product at the Las Vegas Wynn Resort was over ten years old. You would never notice the age of these rooms since the upkeep and maintenance are impeccable. One of the hallmarks of Wynn, and any proper 5* luxury hotel, is how well the rooms and suites are maintained.

Let us start this exciting journey by glancing at the current suite designs for Encore Las Vegas. The Parlor Suite and Salon Suite at Encore introduced us to what I would refer to as “Encore Style.” This “Encore Style” is a bit different and more modern than the “Wynn Style” that can most recently be seen in the exquisite rooms at Encore Boston Harbor.

Expect To Stay in Q1 2022 – NEW Wynn Rooms

It is important to note that the introduction of new rooms and suites by Wynn is a meticulous process. Expect to be able to book and confirm these new rooms in Q1 of 2021. I am personally a #WynnFanBoy and am beyond excited to share and introduce everyone to these exciting new rooms. Without hesitation, I still believe and preach the fact that Wynn is the ultimate 5* Luxury Experience in Las Vegas. The team at TravelZork Travel is always available to discuss your next luxury vacation in Las Vegas. The casino experience at Wynn is also another incredible factor when pondering a vacay that combines the best of world-class luxury with gaming and a well-executed casino loyalty program, Wynn Rewards.

Encore Las Vegas Parlor Suite

The Encore Las Vegas Parlor Suite has a modern and less residential feel than the previous Wynn Las Vegas room. As a reminder, all rooms at Encore Las Vegas are suites. Even the standard rooms are one-room suites. The Parlor Suite is a true one-bedroom suite, slightly larger than the Parlor Suites at Wynn Las Vegas. The other main difference with the Encore Parlor compared to the Wynn Parlor is the addition of a separate massage room.

Tower Suites is a boutique hotel within a hotel at Wynn in Las Vegas. The proper way to reference this exclusive section of the Wynn Property is Wynn Hotel – Tower Suites or Encore Hotel – Tower Suites. For accuracy, all Wynn Suites in Las Vegas are technically in the property’s Wynn or Encore Tower Suites section.

Even though the term “suites” is in the description for Wynn Tower Suites, the Wynn Tower Suites King Rooms (standard rooms) are just regular rooms. These rooms are the same as the Wynn Resort Side Rooms. It is important to differentiate that a Wynn Tower Suite King is still a regular king room.

Encore Las Vegas Salon Suite

The Encore Salon Suite is a fabulous suite for entertaining. This 2,261-square-foot suite includes a living and dining room area with a fantastic wet bar. This suite is one of my favorite suites in Las Vegas and can expand to a two-bedroom suite with an additional Encore Tower Suites King Room.

Wynn – New Rooms and Suites – Las Vegas

As I mentioned, I am still processing and appreciating all of the design changes for the new Wynn Rooms and Suites. Glancing at the pictures gives you an excellent opportunity to enjoy all of the changes. I will be updating this article with additional details, but for now, let’s preview these awesome rooms and suites.

NEW Wynn King Room

These pictures give a decent overview of what to expect in the 640-square-foot Wynn Resort and Wynn Tower Suites King Room. Pay close attention to the details and art. Of special note is the very funky and awesome clock in the bathroom. These rooms have an excellent assortment of technology and controls all accessible via touch panel or Alexa.

NEW Wynn Tower Suites – Parlor Suite

I have often said the perfect size suite and my favorite format for a suite in Las Vegas is the Wynn Parlor Suite. This 1280 square-foot suite is the perfect accommodation for a couple or solo guest. The Parlor Suite has a separate bedroom, wet bar area, and powder room.

NEW Wynn Tower Suites – Salon Suite

Need extra space in Las Vegas do you just want the ultimate luxury suite, the Salon Suite is a perfect suite that at a price point far below the equivalent level of style and luxury at other 5* hotels globally. This 1817-square-foot suite provides incredible space, and the new version has a very modern residential feel.

The bar area is very interesting since the traditional wet bar with stools has been replaced by a more “residential” bar area. Lots of interesting seating areas and a dining nook. I can often imagine a Champagne or cocktail party with separate yet integrated conversations and mingling going on in the different areas of the living room. Since I knew the renovations were happening I took the opportunity to do a video tour of the “old” Wynn Tower Suites Salon suite in May. I also wanted at least one more opportunity to stay in this awesome suite.

I probably went a bit “overboard” with the pictures, but I wanted to give you a really good “feel” of this suite. The guest powder room also has a fantastic vase and layout. If entertaining becomes exhausting, or perhaps you are just tired after standing at the dice tables for 8 hours, do not forget there is a separate massage room in this suite.

New Wynn Rooms and Suites – Hallways

I love casino carpet designs and hallways. Wynn does a fabulous job connecting the hall and entry to your upcoming suite and room experience. Everything at Wynn Las Vegas is about the details, I find it fascinating to continuously observe different elements of the overall design. Please do not hesitate to share your opinions and thoughts about the Wynn Experience in Vegas and your favorite aspects of this very exciting new room product.

Stepping Back To The Prior Wynn Vegas Salon Suite

FAQs – Wynn and Encore Las Vegas

The post NEW Wynn Las Vegas Rooms – The OG Of Vegas Luxury appeared first on TravelZork.

Vegas News November 14, 2021

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Back On Track

Fontainebleau Las Vegas construction is resuming again for the third (?) time!

The big blue building on the north end of the Vegas Strip originally broke ground in 2007. The casino resort was nearly completed when the developers ran out of money. 

The project was stalled for years before being purchased by a developer in 2018. The name was changed to The Drew but there was little actual development for the casino that was then supposed to open in 2020.

In 2021 the property was purchased again and renamed Fontainebleau Las Vegas. This week Fontainebleau Development, announced construction was resuming. The plan is for construction to be completed by late 2023 but no later than the Super Bowl in 2024. 

The announcement didn’t have too much information so we don’t know what the new plans are. You can see the original plans, renderings, and promo videos here.

I’d love to see this project finally come to fruition but not getting too ahead of things. I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

Very Wynnteristing Week For Wynn

There was a lot of Wynn news this week. The company reported third-quarter earnings this week. A few things stood out to me:

• The Average Daily room Rate (ADR) for the quarter was $392. Just about every casino reported massive price increases for the quarter. 
• Delilah Supper Club is booked through February already.
• Wynn Resorts CEO is leaving the company. Read about that here.
• Wynn Interactive (WynnBet) is slowing down. Some sportsbook operators are spending so much to acquire new customers that Wynn doesn’t see a path to profitability. Wynn also terminated its plan to take the interactive division public. 
• The buffet at Encore Boston Harbor lost $12 million per year it was open. The buffet was closed and is now a sports bar. It will become a sports bar and book when sports betting is legalized in MA.
• The company touted growing market share in Las Vegas as a way it was able to increase profitability. Possibly related, the company was marketing to younger demographics than baby boomers is used to almost exclusively court.
• Unrelated to earnings, here’s a list of comedians coming to Wynn next year. 
• Lastly, Wynn extended its partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights. Read more here.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

Noticing A Trend

Since this was a relatively slow news week, I thought I’d share a trend I’ve been noticing before getting back to the Vegas News.

I’ve seen a handful of people recently ordering drinks and snacks to their hotel via instacart. This is similar to going to a drug store to load up on essentials without having to lug everything back to the hotel.

This week a friend was in town for a conference and order supplies for the week. He spent around $100 for a week of supplies. The savings from bottles of cold brew coffee and water alone probably saved $100. 

This can be done before even leaving home. The process is simple enough that it can be done on the flight to Las Vegas. Orders can be placed in advance to arrive at any time the service is available.

Someone can also start by opening the app and putting an order together during a flight. They can place the order after landing. Delivery usually takes a couple of hours and everything can be delivered by the time they arrive at the hotel.

This is specifically useful for anyone staying in the same hotel for four days or more. The cost savings might not be great enough for a weekend.

Back to the news!  – Quick Hits

• The NHL is planning some outdoor skills competitions on the Vegas Strip during All Star Game weekend. I’m all about watching people or mascots skating around on a frozen Lake Bellagio. Read more here.
• The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event drew 6,650. That’s not too bad when compared to the 8,569 entrants in 2019. Read more here.
• The WSOP is leaving Rio All-Suite Hotel. Read more here.
• Billboard put together a list of 2022 Las Vegas residencies. This should be useful for planning a visit. Check it out here.
• Blake Shelton’s Ole Red is coming to the Grand Bazaar Shops outside of Bally’s. It’s scheduled to open in 2023. Read more here.
• This is probably unrelated but there have been rumors that Bally’s will rebrand as a Horseshoe Casino for the past year or so.
• For some reason, the Las Vegas marathon concert is moving from Mandalay Bay to downtown Las Vegas. The marathon ends by The Mirage. Read more here.
• Eight Cigar Lounge at Resorts World is now open. Read more here and expect some details about the venue from Mr. TravelZork. Early reports have been positive but I won’t be visiting until December and it would be nice to hear from someone I know.
• The Venetian has some holiday specials. Read more here.
• The NFR is requiring guests to wear masks. Good luck with that. Read more here.

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Vegas News November 7, 2021

MGM Resorts Selling The Mirage

Before we get to LOTS of casino earnings scoop —- The day is finally here! MGM Resorts is finally selling The Mirage. Earlier this week I retweeted a blog post that no longer exists wondering if the company might sell The Mirage in 2010. While that was a speculative article, I’ve been hearing rumors about The Mirage being on the market since I moved to Las Vegas 10 years ago.

Truth be told, MGM is only selling what it still owns at The Mirage. The company is only selling operations of The Mirage. There’s no deal yet so Mlife Rewards guests can still enjoy the property for a while. 

MGM Growth Properties owns the land. The real estate arm from MGM was sold to VICI earlier this year. The deal will close next year and VICI will own the real estate.

Why? Why is MGM Selling Mirage?

I was surprised that the question I was asked most often this week is why MGM is selling The Mirage not one of its other casinos? There are more than a few reasons. 

The Mirage is considered an above-average property and MGM will get top dollar for selling it. Excalibur or Luxor wouldn’t have the same return. The Cosmopolitan will slide right into the luxury category for MGM and will essentially upgrade their top-tier properties. Franky, the Cosmopolitan will enhance MGM’s luxury offerings.

Lastly, the other properties are important to MGM for a couple of reasons. They offer less expensive price points. This allows the company to market to all budgets. Additionally, these properties are near T-Mobile Arena and Allegiant Stadium. These venues bring people to Las Vegas and MGM has the closest casinos to these venues and is often the first place visitors look to stay when going to a game or show.

MGM says the company is in the early stages of selling The Mirage and didn’t mention any potential buyers during its third-quarter earnings call. Of course, there’s a lot of speculation on who will buy the property. 

Between Hard Rock, Boyd Gaming, Penn National Gaming (PNG), Phil Ruffin (TI and Circus Circus), and Tilman Fertitta (Golden Nugget) there are plenty of possible buyers. These are just some names of casino operators that might consider buying The Mirage. I wrote about why some of these names could buy the operations here. 

Casino Earnings

MGM Resorts Earnings

We’ll come back to selling The Mirage in a bit. MGM shared this information during its third-quarter earnings call. My favorite note from the call is this: 

“Focus on efficiencies helps…greater margins…blah blah”

We’ve been discussing this topic for casinos for more than a year. Every casino operator has streamlined expenses to increase profits. MGM is no different. The Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) for the third quarter was higher than in 2019. 

Weekday reservations are picking up and weekends are doing great with the return of big entertainment. MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle says October will be an all-time record month for the company. 

The great Vegas comeback continues! 

Caesars Earnings 

Caesars also reported third-quarter casino earnings this week. Stop if you’ve heard this before but the company had a great third quarter. This was Caesars’ best all-time quarterly record for EBITDA. 

One interesting financial note is that Caesars had to limit capacity at some hotels during weekdays due to staffing issues. Despite the limits, Caesars still had 89% occupancy in the third quarter.

The renovations to the entrance area of Caesars Palace won’t be completed until next year. Work was supposed to be done before the end of the year.

Caesars will finally begin the sales process of a Vegas Strip casino early next year. The company didn’t say which property would be sold but the day is finally on the horizon for Caesars to sell a casino. 

During the call, CEO Tom Reeg said that Caesars has about 50% share of the sports betting market handle (amount of money wagered) in Nevada. That includes all Caesars’ casinos and more than 100 William Hill sportsbooks throughout the state.

Nevada will also see a new Caesars sportsbook app next year. This will be the same Caesars Liberty app platform that the rest of the country uses.

Station Casinos Earnings

Station Casinos also reported third-quarter earnings this week. This was another record-breaking quarter for Station Casinos. My favorite note from this call: “Streamlined expenses, yadda yadda.” You’ve heard it all before.

Station Casinos had a record high ADR which is the same as other Las Vegas casino operators. However, the company also had record high occupancy. Station Casinos is noticing customers staying at Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch that used to stay on the Vegas Strip. This doesn’t happen often.

There will be a new sports betting platform at Station Casinos. This is in response to possible disciplinary action by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Expect to see a new app next year after regulatory approval. Station will also be rolling out more cashless options at its properties. I just realized that I forgot to follow up on specifics. Doh!

The company updated some of the Durango Resort info. It’s scheduled to break ground early next year. Construction will cost $750 million (this is new info) and take 18-24 months. In its earnings presentation, Durango is listed as a luxury property alongside Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch.

Station sold 23 acres of its Durango land for residential housing. The company previously said there would be a retail component on this land. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a combination of both. Station has five plots of land covering 300 acres in Las Vegas. The company will look to opportunities to “ build out the portfolio, double the footprint here in Las Vegas.”

You’ve heard this before but it’s worth mentioning. The three Station Casinos properties that remain closed represented less than 10% of cash flow. These casinos won’t reopen until they can guarantee profitability. More likely, they’ll reopen with new names and ownership. That’s just a hunch.

Last but not least, the Palms should close before the year is over.

Penn National Gaming Earnings

This will be a quickie since Penn National Gaming (PNG) has sold Tropicana and Las Vegas isn’t currently a priority. However, the company could come back to Las Vegas sooner than later.

PNG was in the running to buy the Cosmopolitan. While “it’s not imperative” to return to Las Vegas the company is considering returning to the Vegas Strip. Any property PNG considers will have to be the right property in a good location and it has to be “the right price.” 

CEO Jay Snowden said “It would be great if we have an asset but we won’t chase or overpay. We’ll kick the tires if there’s something out there.”

That sounds like how everyone approaches the buying process. 

PNG is a company set up similar to MGM in that it doesn’t own all of the land underneath its casinos. PNG is very familiar with just operating a casino on land it doesn’t own. The Mirage sounds like a match. This would also give PNG a reason to bring its Barstool Sportsbook to Las Vegas. They could rebrand the California Pizza Kitchen as a Barstool Sports Bar that overlooks one of the best sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip. 

Of course, the price has to be right. Since they would only be buying operations of The Mirage the price could be very right. Stay tuned. 

Las Vegas Quick Hits

Super Quick Quick Hits

This was one of the longer Vegas News articles of the year so the quick hits will be especially quick this week.

• Bali Hai golf course next to Mandalay Bay has a tiki bar. Read more here.
• Aristocrat will be making NFL-branded slot machines. Read more here.
• There’s a new cannabis dispensary near the Vegas Strip with a drive-through. Read more here.
• Circus Circus has a new food court. Read more here.
• America’s Got Talent Live is now open at Luxor. Read more here.
• The Main Event at the World Series of Poker is underway. Read more here.
• Oakland A’s staff returned to Las Vegas to explore possible stadium sites in Summerlin. Read more here.

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Las Vegas Shows Updated

Las Vegas is #VegasSmart and back with a catalogue bursting with wonderful and wacky shows ready to thrill, excite, mystify and entertain you and your loved ones. Whether you want to laugh, sing, dance, or scream, there’s always a little something for everyone on the fabulous Las Vegas strip. We are excited to bring you an informative guide; Las Vegas Shows updated for Covid Times.

(Article Updated November 2021)

Here are our picks, of the best shows, currently open in Las Vegas:

ZorkFest
– December 17th & 18th

Location: Plaza Hotel
Early Bird Price: $199

What is ZorkFest? ZorkFest is TravelZork’s premier event for everything Las Vegas! You can find a variety of presentations and roundtables with some of the best and most knowledgeable in the world of points, miles, and loyalty programs. There’s also add-on programs, guest speakers, a steakhouse dinner, slot-pulls, special room pricing courtesy of Plaza hotel and SO MUCH MORE!

Whether you’re an avid traveler, just wanting to learn how to travel better for less, or a degenerate obsessive gambler trying to maximize your comp-game, you’ll feel right at home. Visit the ZorkFest page for more information on what’s included and ticket prices.

Absinthe at Caesars Palace

Location: Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Price: From $149
Age Limit: 18+
Show Length: 90 Minutes

Absinthe, described as a fantastical blend of carnival and spectacle, is performed in a large circus tent (known as the Spiegeltent) located in Caesars Palace’s Roman Plaza.

The show is strictly adults-only and features multiple circus, burlesque, and comedy acts. As long as you enter with an open mind and go prepared to be offended, you will love Absinthe.

Filthy Rich

Hosted by the filthy rich (and just plain filthy) Gazillionaire and inspired by the absinthe-drenched cabarets of late 19th century Europe, Absinthe is an intoxicating cocktail of circus, burlesque, and vaudeville for a 21st-century audience. 

The New York Times said, “Imagine Cirque du Soleil as channeled through The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Book Absinthe at Caesars Palace

AUSTRALIA’S THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER

Location: Excalibur 
Price: From $50
Show Length: 75 Minutes 

Gyrating shirtless Australian hunks. Need I say more? Great for a hens (or bucks) night. Try your luck for a front-row seat (you won’t regret it).

Backstreet Boys: A Very Backstreet Christmas
This event has been cancelled

See here for more information.

The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil
– Now Performing

Location: Mirage Las Vegas
Price: $79
Age: Any

You know who they are – they’re The Beatles: John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The world-famous music of The Beatles meets the gravity-defying, hypnotic storytelling acrobatics of Cirque Du Soleil. Featuring 360º seating and a three-time Grammy-winning soundtrack, The Beatles LOVE is a show not to be missed. For information on tickets and venue, click here.

Billy Joel
(Debuts February 26th, 2022)

Location: Allegiant Stadium
Price: From $69

The iconic Billy Joel, winner of five Grammy awards holder of seven honorary doctorates is coming to Vegas! Performing his first ever stadium show in Las Vegas, the Piano Man himself will be coming to Allegiant Stadium for one night only. Learn more here.

Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club

Location: MGM Grand
Price: From $55
Age: 21+
Length: 90 Minutes

Hosted by actor and comedian Brad Garrett, the comedy club promises to offer the best in stand-up entertainment as well as service. Featuring a variety of stellar headlines and gut-busting comedians in a venue designed with entertainment in mind, the comedy club delivers its special brand of comfort nightly at the MGM Grand. See their site for more details

CARROT TOP

Location: Luxor Theater at Luxor 
Price: From $40
Show Length: 90 Minutes 
Masks Required

Comedian Scott Thompson, better known as Carrot Top has been wowing crowds at the Luxor since 2005 and it’s no wonder why. The curly, red-headed comedian uses a mix of props and stand-up to bring tears to the eyes of his audience. His energetic and flamboyant stage presence will keep you fully entertained for the entire show. 

Cirque Du Soleil: “O” at Bellagio
– Now Performing

Location: Bellagio
Price: From $79
Length: 90 min

“Cirque du Soleil® weaves an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance in the timeless production, “O”. The international cast of world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers, and characters perform in, on and above water to create a breathtaking experience in a magnificent theatre reminiscent of a European opera house.” See their event page for more info.

Cirque Du Soleil: Mystère
– Now Performing

Location: Treasure Island
Price: From $64
Length: 90 min

An original Cirque du Soleil show, Mystère combines powerful athleticism, high-energy acrobatics, and inspiring imagery. Mystère will thrill generations with its whimsy and drama bringing life to the stage. See the event page for more info.

David Copperfield

Location: MGM Grand
Price: From $71.37
Show Length: 90 Minutes

Hailed as the “greatest illusionist of our time,” Copperfield comes to Vegas to delight audiences with unbelievable illusions. More details are on the MGM Resorts Website.

EXTRAVAGANZA

Location: Ballys Las Vegas
Price: From $55
Show Length: 90 Minutes 

Showcasing over 30 of the most talented artists from around the world, including dancers, acrobats, aerialists, skaters, ventriloquists, and of course, the heart-stopping “Globe of Death”. Extravaganza truly is your one-stop shop to all things Vegas. Book Extravaganza

FANTASY

Location: Luxor Theater at Luxor
Price: From $39
Age: 18+

FANTASY dazzles audiences nightly with alluring, high-energy performances by a stunning cast of talented dancers and powerhouse vocalist Lorena Peril. Called “the gold standard of adult revues in Las Vegas” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, FANTASY premiered 20 years ago and has remained one of the top production shows in Las Vegas ever since. Find out more on the Luxor Website.  

JABBAWOCKEEZ

Location: MGM Grand 
Price: From $19.99
Show Length: 70 Minutes 

Jabbawockeez presents an audio-visual story of inspiration brought to life through movement and sound. You are guaranteed to be in awe of their incredible dance moves. 

The Killers – Imploding the Mirage
(Debuts August 26th, 2022)

Location: T-Mobile Arena
Price: From $35 (tickets on sale now)

The local Las Vegas rock band The Killers return to their hometown to showcase their new music in a one-night only concert at the T-Mobile Arena. Headed by Brandon Flowers, the Killers have released six consecutive chart-topping albums and are known as one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century. See here for ticket information.

Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club
— “Sexxy After Dark” starring Jennifer Romas.

Location: Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, 6007 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Price: From $30

Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club presents Sexxy After Dark: Where Dinner Meets Play. The posh mezzanine level of the gentlemen’s club will transform into a multi-tiered, interactive supper club as the venue reintroduces live entertainment to the Las Vegas community.

The ladies of the award-winning female revue will exhilarate patrons with both newfound and familiar acts from the show, including aerial and pole acrobatics. Visit Vegas Hustler Club for more details.

Lionel Richie
– Now Performing

Location: Encore Theater at Wynn
Price: From $195
Length: Unspecified

Legendary singer-songwriter and international music icon Lionel Richie returns to Wynn with a brand new show. An Oscar, Golden Globe, and four-time Grammy winner, having sold out three past performances at Wynn, Richie’s performance is not to be missed. See Wynn’s event page for more info.

Lizzo
(Debuts Friday, December 31st, 2021)

Location: The Theater at Virgin Hotels
Price: From $129
Age: 21+
Masks Required

The breakout hip-hop star and Grammy-winning entertainer will be ringing in the New Year with DJ Sophia Eris. Bringing her high-octane singing and rap to Virgin Hotels, Lizzo promises an unforgettable “Good as Hell” performance.

Mac King

Location: Excalibur
Price: From $44.95
Age: 5+
Length: 70 min

Stated by Penn & Teller to be “the greatest comedy magician at least alive today, and maybe who ever lived. Mac King is a god.” Mac will captivate audiences, performing feats like casting a fishing line over his audiences heads to catch a live goldfish, pulling stunts with a grizzly bear, and working with his pet guinea pig Colonel Sanders. He’s one of the longest running one-man shows in Las Vegas and according to the L.A. Times, a “Best Bet” for the weekend. Visit Excalibur’s event page for more info.

METALLICA ft Greta Van Fleet
(Debuts February 25th, 2022)

Location: Allegiant Stadium
Price: From $139

One of the biggest and most influential names in rock and metal music and winner of 9 Grammy awards, Metallica is coming to Allegiant Stadium for one night only as part of their current tour. They will be joined by special guest Greta Van Fleet for an unforgettable performance. Learn more here.

Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil

Location: Mandalay Bay
Price: From $69
Age: 5+
Length: 90 Minutes

Presented by the critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil, ONE takes a tour through music titan Michael Jackson’s discography and career. Stunning sets and choreography will leave viewers amazed and delighted as they experience the legacy of Michael Jackson. Learn more here.

MJ LIVE

Location: The STRAT Hotel, Casino and Skypod 
Price: From $68
Show Length: 70 Minutes

MJ is back! The #1 Michael Jackson tribute concert in the world is back to recapture the electrifying spirit of one of the greatest performers of all time. 

MURRAY THE MAGICIAN

Location: Tropicana Las Vegas – A Doubletree by Hilton
Price: From $29.95
Show Length: 60 Minutes 

The “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist brings his hilarious magic show to the Tropicana Las Vegas for an intimate night of laughs, tricks, and optical illusions. Great for adults and children alike. 

Penn & Teller

Location: Rio All-Suite Hotel
Price: From $60
Length: 90 min

Performing at the RIO All-Suite Las Vegas Hotel and Casino since 2001, the “Bad Boys of Magic” are sure to captivate. Proclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as “…the single best show in Vegas,” their show combines sleight-of-hand, large-scale illusions, and sideshow routines. Book Penn&Teller

Performing since 1975, the award-winning pair are currently the longest running headliners to perform in the same Las Vegas hotel.

PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON SHOW

Location: Flamingo Las Vegas
Price: From $63
Show Length: 75 Minutes 

Another “American’s Got Talent” alumni, Piff and Mr. Piffles, the World’s Only Magic Performing Chihuahua, perform their unique comedy magic involving levitation, straitjackets, and cannons. A show not to be missed. Book PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

PURPLE REIGN, THE PRINCE TRIBUTE SHOW

Location: Tropicana Las Vegas – A Doubletree by Hilton
Price: From $57.50
Show Length: 75 Minutes 

Prince is back. Well, renowned tribute artist Jason Tenner is as he takes on the role of the iconic performer in this electrifying performance of the “Purple Rain” singer in his prime. 

Rich Little

Location: Laugh Factory, Tropicana Las Vegas – A Doubletree by Hilton
Price: From $39.95
Show Length: 60 Minutes 

In his one-man autobiographical show, master of impersonations Rich Little brings to life the colourful real-life famous characters he has had the pleasure of knowing. 

Rod Stewart
– Now Performing

Location: The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace
Price: From $30
Age: Any
Length: Unspecified
COVID-19 Health Check Required

“Since its premiere in 2011, “Rod Stewart: The Hits.”, has remained one of the best-reviewed and must-see shows on the Las Vegas Strip.  Featuring chart-topping hits spanning Stewart’s unparalleled over five-decade career including “You Wear It Well,” “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy,” “Tonight’s the Night” and “Hot Legs”, the high-energy show treats audiences to an intimate, concert celebration.” Click here for more info.

An Intimate Evening with SANTANA

Location: House of Blues at Mandalay Bay
Price: $99
Length: Unspecified

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana comes to the House of Blues for a limited time, offering an intimate evening featuring their greatest hits live. Visit House of Blues Las Vegas for more details.

Shania Twain
(Debuts December 2nd)

Location: Planet Hollywood
Price: From $60
Length: Unspecified

Showcasing elements from her three-decade long career, Shania Twain pushes the boundaries, taking fans on a nostalgic journey full of visual spectacle. Additionally, $1 of every ticket purchased will be donated to Shania Kids Can, a service that offers one-on-one consultation, academic support, and group activies for children in time of crises. Visit the Planet Hollywood event page for more info.

TAPE FACE

Location: Harrah’s Las Vegas
Price: From $39
Show Length: 90 Minutes 

New Zealand-born comedian Sam Wills performs in this comedy show with a difference. His goal? To make you laugh without saying a single word. Expect nothing but hilarity in this whimsical and interactive experience. Book TAPE FACE

The Terry Bradshaw Show
– Now Performing

Location: Atrium Theater at Luxor
Price: $66
Age: Any
Length: 70 Minutes

Former NFL pro, TV Sports Analyst, and now iconic entertainer, Terry Bradshaw returns to Vegas with his musical, comedy, and storytelling production. For a limited time, Bradshaw will bring his charismatic performances to the Luxor hotel in a 70-minute show that chronicles his life and humor. See here for details.

27 – A Musical Adventure

Location: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Price: From $65
Length: Unspecified

27 – A Musical Adventure honors musicians gone too soon at the age of 27, namely Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Robert Johnson, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse. The showcase features what each musician contributed to the musical landscape, culminating in a finale with all musicians performing together. Find out more on the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas event website page.

X Country

Location: Harrah’s Las Vegas
Price: From $48
Show Length: 75 Minutes

From the producers of X Burlesque and X Rocks comes their latest hit, X Country, “A Kick’n Topless Revue,” featuring a combination of traditional and contemporary country music chart toppers. The X Country Girls dance seductively while leaving nothing to the imagination. Book X Country

Resorts World

Resorts World is the first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in over ten years; as such, Resorts World seeks to be the premier luxury destination, featuring the biggest names in entertaining and the hottest choices in dining. As home to some of the biggest shows in Vegas, all upcoming residencies for Resorts World have been listed below to help you plan your perfect trip.

Carrie Underwood
(Debuts December 1st)

Location: Resorts World
Price: From $58
Length: Unspecified

“Carrie Underwood announces her first-ever residency, REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency, at The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, which will begin December 1. Carrie joins global music stars Celine Dion, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan as the founding headliners at the Strip’s highly anticipated new 3,500-room luxury destination opening June 24.” See the official site for more info.

Celine Dion
(Debuts February 5th, 2022)

Location: Resorts World
Price: From $55
Length: Unspecified

“International superstar Celine Dion returns to Las Vegas with a brand new show in a brand new theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas. The intimate, imaginative production opens November 5, 2021 with a special opening night performance to benefit Covid-19 Relief.” See ticket sales page for more info.

Katy Perry
(Debuts December 29th)

Location: Resorts World
Price: From $80
Length: Unspecified

Superbowl performer, American Idol judge, and Grammy-nominated performer Katy Perry is setting up shop at Resorts World for “Play,” her official Las Vegas residency promising a show unlike anything else. Visit her official page for ticket info.

Luke Bryan
(Debuts February 11th)

Location: Resorts World
Price: From $58
Length: Unspecified

Five-time Entertainer of the year and prolific country music singer, Luke Bryan comes to Resorts World Las Vegas to entertain and amaze. Inspired by classic country singers like George Strait and Merle Haggard, be sure to check out one of Country’s biggest names. Check out his Resorts World page.

FAQ – LAS VEGAS SHOWS – During Covid Times

The post [Updated] LAS VEGAS SHOWS – During Covid Times appeared first on TravelZork.

Vegas News October 31, 2021

Spun Out Of Control

Somewhat related to the concept of Vegas Hotel Rates on the rise, my week was spun out of control with a simple Twitter question about Carbone at Aria being closed. It isn’t, I have a reservation in December. I decided to call in case there might be a closure before the holidays. Nope. 

Carbone is just busy. Carbone and most of the popular restaurants at Aria are being completely booked a few weeks in advance. I ran into this issue at Cosmopolitan last month. Others have seen the same issue at some restaurants at Wynn and The Venetian. 

The issue is likely a combination of things. Here are just a couple of reasons.

First, Las Vegas is always busy during the holiday season and reservations are always tight around Thanksgiving. Second, I imagine that many of the foreign visitors are reserving tables at the nicest restaurants for when they can return to Las Vegas for the first time in a year and a half beginning Nov. 8. Additionally, like the rest of the country, Las Vegas is still short-staffed in many venues. 

Las Vegas Visitation in September 2021

Visitation to Las Vegas in September was actually a little lower than in August. However, hotel room prices soared. The average daily hotel room rate (ADR) was 155.80 in Sept. That’s 11% higher than Aug. this year and 13.6% higher than Sept. 2019. 

Vegas Hotel Rates On The Rise

Expect hotel room prices to continue to rise until CES takes place in January. There should be a dip for at least a few weeks. You can see the full Executive Summary of visitation in September here. 

Don’t be surprised to see visitation numbers increase when the October numbers are released. Last weekend was insane with EDC and the Raiders playing the Philadelphia Eagles.

I planned on taking Uber to dinner but it was somewhere between 2x and 4x normal rates. I dealt with the traffic instead. The airport saw massive traffic and more people taking Uber/Lyft/Taxis since 2020.

Airport News – LAS

The airport is already preparing people to prepare for a busy holiday season. This information is especially useful to anyone visiting can prepare accordingly.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• Casino earnings season for Las Vegas property owners got underway this week with Boyd Gaming. The company did very well again thanks to streamlined expenses and the focus on profitable customers. You’ve heard that all before so I won’t repeat myself. 
• Read more about Boyd Gaming’s third-quarter earnings here.
• One thing stood out during the call. Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith said the following about the mask requirement in Las Vegas casinos – ”hopefully by mid-November it will have run its course.” This has been a rumored timeframe for the mask requirement for a couple of weeks. If we hear this during MGM and Caesars’ earnings calls this week, this will very likely be the case.
• Look for more cashless rollouts at Boyd’s Las Vegas casinos later this year and next year. 
• It looks like KISS canceled its residency at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort. Read more here.
• Resorts World just launched a bunch of locals discounts. See the deals here.
• Resorts World purchased a large airplane to fly guests to Las Vegas from their properties all over the world. Read more here.
• It’s difficult to believe but the casino at Circa has been open for a year! On one hand, it feels like Circa just opened. On the other hand, it feels as though Circa has always been here. You can see all of our coverage of the property here.
• Cirque at Bellagio is now open. Read more here.
• MGM auctioned off a bunch of paintings. Read more here.
• Rumor is The Mirage is about to be sold. The company reports earnings this week. If the six-year-old rumor is true we should hear something this week.
• February will have a magical weekend of old men playing different types of rock n roll at Allegiant Stadium. Read about Metallica and Billy Joel playing at the football stadium here.
• Metallica already has ticket/show packages available here.
• Speaking of old news, Formula One is considering Las Vegas for a race. I first wrote about this 10 years ago for a website that no longer exists. I’ll believe it when I see it. Read more here.
• The Whitney Houston hologram concert is now open at Harrah’s. See more here.
• Piff The Magic Dragon signed a three-year extension to perform at Flamingo Las Vegas. Read the press release here.  ​​
• Presenting the New Year’s Eve bash at the Fremont Street Experience without comment. Read about it here.
• Do you agree with the Las Vegas selections from USA Today readers on their 10 best list? 
• Casino real estate news is usually a yawn. However, VICI, owners of lots of Las Vegas casino real estate just signed a deal with BigShots Golf during its recent earnings report. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they decide to build one somewhere in Las Vegas next year. If a casino doesn’t have its own version of TopGolf, are they even trying to be relevant?
• The Oakland A’s will be presenting locations for a baseball stadium in Las Vegas after the World Series ends. Oakland is still trying to keep the team. Read more here. 
• Tickets for EDC 2022 are on sale now. Read more here. Here’s the Drone show from EDC last week.

• There will be drone racing around T-Mobile Arena on January 5. Read more here.
• Smokey Robinson will be performing a couple of nights at The Venetian in March 2022. Read more here.
• WSOP attendance is down 30%. No surprise. Read more here.
• Looking for something different to do in Las Vegas? Check out these motorized railbikes.

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Vegas News October 24, 2021

The Amazing Destination People Remember

Las Vegas has been the amazing destination people remember this weekend. In addition to the normal weekend entertainment, the Electric Daisy Carnival took over the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Eagles fans roamed Las Vegas for a few days before the team plays the Raiders. Can’t blame the deluge of Eagles fans for leaving Pennsylvania and New Jersey for Las Vegas but that’s another story.

Las Vegas has that electric feeling that has noticeably been missing for about a year and a half. I really noticed this a couple of weeks ago with the Tyson Fury fight. There’s something special about Las Vegas when there’s a big boxing match. That first weekend was the first time in a while I noticed that vibe in a long time.

While I typically enjoy a more calm Vegas experience, this kind of energy is still amazing. This will probably continue once foreigners are allowed to visit the US next month and into the holiday season.

Meltz Annual Winter Vacay

On a personal note, plans for my annual winter vacation are starting to look amazing and I can’t wait. Last winter was the first time I didn’t take a few days off in Las Vegas in December to hang with my friends since my mid-20’s.

The crew is stoked to return to Las Vegas. This will be a different kind of holiday but there will be some similarities to years past. The anchor for this trip is set. Our annual visit to Ping Pang Pong for an amazing hangover lunch at the Gold Coast was the first thing on the calendar! 

This was a slow news week but let’s get to the action in and around Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• Las Vegas Sands reported earnings this week. I normally don’t pay much attention to the call since the majority of its business is overseas. This will probably be the last time I even read the information. Las Vegas is now officially out of the picture financially. The report did reveal one bit of Vegas news. The Venetian sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. Read more here.
• I get a lot of press releases about things happening in Las Vegas. I share a lot of them unless the pictures are sad like the sandwiches at the new shop at Ellis Island. 

• On the other side, I share news more often when includes fun pictures like a dude feeding Mike Tyson a slice of pizza. You can read about the new Mike Tyson statue at Resorts World here.
• On a related note, I was underwhelmed by Mulberry Pizza. It wasn’t as bad as the old food court at Flamingo Las Vegas but it’s not close to the best slices in Las Vegas. I wouldn’t say no if someone wanted to go but I wouldn’t recommend it either.
• Speaking of Resorts World, Celine Dion canceled her upcoming shows. Read more here.
• Bally’s, soon-to-be owners of the Tropicana, signed a deal to only serve Pepsi in its casinos. Read more here.
• A bunch of the restaurants at The Venetian have special menus for Thanksgiving if you’re in town. Read more here.
• Lizzo is performing at Virgin on New Year’s Eve. Read more here.
• There’s magic and comedy in the air at Bally’s! Read more about the new show here.
• Elon Musk’s Boring Company received approval to move forward building the Vegas Loop car tunnel system throughout Las Vegas. You can read more here.
• Eventually, the Vegas Loop should have more than 50 stops throughout Las Vegas. I’ll believe this is happening after the Resorts World station is complete. ​​That’s step one of many.
• Since we’re discussing transportation, here’s your monthly dose of California to Vegas train news. 
• It looks like the Oakland A’s will announce potential sites for a Las Vegas baseball stadium after the World Series. See the tweet here.
• Tickets and guests were just announced for the Game of Thrones convention at the Rio All-Suite Hotel next year. See specifics here.
• Rod Stewart’s residency at Caesars Palace Las Vegas has been extended. Read more here.
• Bobby’s Burgers from Bobby Flay is expanding to Harrah’s and Paris Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Garth Brooks is dropping hints that he may do a Las Vegas and NashVegas residency. Read more here.
• Le Cirque at Bellagio is reopening soon. See details here.
• Station Casinos will have a new sports betting platform. Read more here.
• Circus Circus will soon have a teacup ride! Read more here.
• Circus Circus is also adding a new food court. Meanwhile, Slots a Fun is going to add a daiquiri bar. Read about both here.
• The Plaza is going to have some pre-NFR rodeo fun. Read more here.
• Allegiant Stadium now has a special wine program available to some suite-holders at Raiders games. Read more here.

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Vegas News October 17, 2021

Earnings Season Is Upon Us

Earnings season is upon us and casino corporations are dropping news on a regular basis. Two weeks ago we saw MGM Resorts buy Cosmopolitan. Last week Red Rock Resorts (AKA Station Casinos) released information about its new casino Durango Resort. 

This week, Caesars made a rather major entertainment announcement that will impact a few casino markets. In Las Vegas, the market that matters, the company will have a new full-scale Spiegelworld production show called “DiscoShow” at The Linq. 

DiscoShow is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of 2022. A new venue called Spiegelworld Glitterloft is being planned for the second floor of the casino. The last thing planned for the second floor at The Linq was Kind Heaven. Somehow that website is still around. 

Expect to hear more announcements as quarterly casino earnings approach. As always, I’ll be listening to the calls trying to translate the corporate-speak into normal language.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

Not all casino news comes from earnings calls and reports. Let’s start with a privately owned casino just off the Vegas Strip.

Palms

• The new owners of Palms shared some of their plans for reopening the casino with the local newspaper. Here are a few highlights:
  • Palms will reopen in the first half of 2022. Rumors were that the company would try to reopen by New Year’s Eve.
  • There could be a new name in the future.
  • The shark will remain at the center bar.
  • There will only be a couple of new eateries in the food court.
  • The sportsbook will be renovated and probably become smaller.
  • Parking will remain free. No mention of valet fees. 
  • There will be a rooftop pool deck. Are you even trying if you don’t have a rooftop pool deck in 2022?

• That was quick, Wayne Newton’s Flamingo shows are postponed. Read more here.
• 10 Acres of land where the Riviera once stood was sold to a Chilean casino operator. I think we’ll see a new casino here in the future. Read more here.
• This isn’t the birthday gift I was looking for but I’m sure it will make others happy. Read more about foreign visitors returning to Las Vegas here.
• Las Vegas is a fun place to be for Halloween. The Fremont Street Experience should be the fun place to be in Vegas for the holiday since you can sit outside and people watch. Read about Rock of Horror here. 

Bad Rumors – Circa

• Could DraftKings buy Circa? That’s a rumor being floated. Owner Derek Stevens, owner of Circa, shot this rumor down pretty quickly. 
• Speaking of Circa here’s a quick fun read with a dancing dealer at the casino. 

Marriott, Ice Skating, Dolby Theater, NFR Events

• Marriott was never a part of Fontainebleau after the previous owner ditched the project. For some reason, this was confirmed during the week. 
• We knew Marriott was out because the current owner Koch announced it was partnering with Fontainebleau Development when the purchase was announced. While we’re talking about the stalled casino, you can see the original plans and renderings from 2007 and 2008 here.
• Ice skating is back for the 10th year at The Cosmopolitan. Read more here.
• Looks like Calvin Harris ditched Caesars Palace Las Vegas for Resorts World. Check out the site here.
• The Park Theater at Park MGM has a new name. Read about Dolby Theater at Park MGM here.
• One of two Vegas Strip casinos with a saloon is having NFR events. Check out the plans for NFR at Resorts World here. Yes, you should expect fun at Gilley’s inside Treasure Island too.

Let’s group a bunch of limited Classic Rock engagements here:

• Bryan Adams has a new album coming and a slew of shows at Wynn Las Vegas next month. Read more here.
• Styx is playing 50th anniversary shows at The Venetian next Jan. and Feb.
• Chicago is returning to The Venetian for more shows next February. Read more here. 
• The band Rush has a new beer that’s brewed in Henderson. Not the Hendertucky in NV but Hendertucky in NY. Read more here.

“America’s Best Cities For A Quickie”

• Las Vegas isn’t the best city in the US for a quickie. Read more here.
• People freaked out that the Vegas Golden Knights were listed as VGS on ESPN instead of VGK this week. The TV station has heard the people and will use VGK in the future. Read more here.
• You can read some thoughts on the poker room at Resorts World here.
• Ellis Island is getting a sandwich shop. Read more here.
• The immersive Van Gogh experience at Crystals will have yoga. Check the website for more info.
• Wakuda will open at The Venetian next year. It looks like an interesting restaurant. Read more here.
• There’s a new music ​​venue in downtown Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Boyd testing cashless at Aliante. Read more here.
• You’ve probably seen this Amazon driverless car video but sharing it just in case.  
• Last and not least, I’m sad to pass on that Darryl D. McEwen (Mr. AC) has passed away. His Seven Stars Insider newsletter was one of the first things I read about casinos when I started to learn about casino life. He was a consumer writing for other consumers. There aren’t many voices like this anymore. You can read more here.

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Vegas News October 10, 2021

G2E (Global Gaming Expo)

The Vegas News for me this week started mostly with the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). As expected it was smaller than usual with fewer small and international gaming operators. There was also a lack of food and beverage providers, entertainers and other random non-gaming companies showing off their goods and services for casinos to buy. 

That said, the smaller crowd was exuberant and it was great to see the gaming industry in attendance moving forward. Looking back the expo probably exceeded my low expectations.

Even though the larger gaming manufacturers provide the majority of games we find in casinos there weren’t too many interesting new games on display. It seems as though 2022 casino experiences will be similar to 2021.

There should be new slot machines and video poker games in new cabinets but nothing particularly exciting. Yippee…another new Buffalo game!

Bettor Life podcast host Tim and I half-joked about the death of blackjack. Almost all new table games were not blackjack-inspired. There was a surprising amount of baccarat ETG’s and video games. There were also a lot of roulette games. I did find one fun item that should be in casinos somewhere sooner than later.

Most Unique Thing – G2E (Global Gaming Expo)

The most unique thing I saw at G2E was probably the new version of the Crystal sports betting terminal from IGT. The bartop version is kind of insane but it’s kind of how I watch sports at home. There’s a game on TV, a sportsbook app on phone, and a casino or brain game on the iPad. The only thing missing at home is the complimentary drink. I’m told we’ll see these soon.

I spent the week at Resorts World to cut down on travel. While it’s nice they “matched” my complimentary room offer from the Cosmopolitan, the Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World Las Vegas rooms aren’t comparable to the Terrace Studio sweets at Cosmo. Aside from something disagreeing with my insides I had a good time at the property. I can still see a vision for the property but it’s not there yet. 

Enough about my take, let’s get to the news and rumors in and around Las Vegas. There’s a lot this week!

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• Red Rock Resorts (Station Casinos) released details about its Durango casino that will break ground next year. Read more here. The company said it would reveal plans by its next earnings report. Well, Red Rock will report earnings on Nov. 2 if you want to hear more. 

• The Dream hotel received approval from Clark County this week. The new hotel-casino will open near the Pinball Hall of Fame and Harley Davidson dealer just south of Mandalay Bay on the Vegas Strip. Read more here. See original plans here.
• A friend of mine was visiting Las Vegas to see the annual 311 shows at Park MGM a couple of years ago. She was able to get out of town before the pandemic started to spread rapidly and the world shut down for a minute. Well, 311 is returning to Park MGM next year. We haven’t spoken yet but I’m sure she’ll be back too. Read more here.
• Adele was going to announce a residency around 10 years ago at Park MGM. Then she was going somewhere else then to a different casino then Resorts World. After years of rumors, it looks like she’ll be at Park MGM afterall. Read more here. 
• With Adele likely out of the picture at Resorts World, Vital Vegas is rumoring that creepy magician David Blaine will become a resident at the newest casino in Las Vegas. Read more here.
• El Cortez is celebrating 80 years in November. Amazingly, it still smells the same. Read more here.
• Hecho en Vegas at MGM Grand will be closing in November. Read more here.
• The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden opens on November 5. This is a nice free holiday attraction off the strip if you’re looking for something different. Read more here.
• The Neon Museum has a new sign with very little history (to me) or neon. Read more here.
• Caesars also reports earnings on Nov. 2. I expect we’ll hear some some news leading into this date. Let’s hit a few more Caesars nuggets now that we’re here.
• Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen says the company is not interested in PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort. I missed this chat after an excellent keynote with Allen and others. See the tweet wrap up here.
• Usher added a couple more shows to his Caesars Palace residency. Read more here.
• Rao’s is closing up shop at Caesars Palace. Read more here. ​​
• Vital Vegas says New York City steakhouse Peter Luger is replacing Raos at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. An official announcement hasn’t been made yet. Read more here.
• A rumor first floated by Vital Vegas seems to be at least partially true. Martha Stewart appears to be opening a restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. Read more here. Seems like a lot of Vital Vegas for one day.

More Las Vegas Quick Hits

• The Strat will be opening a golf experience similar to Top Golf. Read more here.
• A fun one-on-one golf match with Brooks and Bryson will take place at Wynn. Yes, I went first names because it’s fun. Read more here.
• Carlos Santana’s residency at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay has been extended. Read more here.
• Cannabis lounges should be opening by mid-2022. Read more here.
• This article about the MGM-Cosmopolitan deal is a good reminder that we’re all just numbers and demographics to casino corporations.

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Vegas News October 3, 2021

Let’s start the news with a quick Covid-19 update in Las Vegas before we get to the big news: “Cosmopolitan Sold!” It appears as though the Clark County Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are getting lower. If this trend continues there could be a change in public mask-wearing policy sooner than later. 

In the meantime, you still have to wear a mask inside of casinos unless you’re eating, drinking, or smoking. After spending almost an entire week at the Cosmopolitan, it seemed like the vast majority of people were wearing their masks as required. As usual, there were plenty of people smoking and drinking on the casino floor so depending on where you are it can look as though fewer people were wearing a mask.

Checking Out Superfrico at Cosmopolitan

Who’s having fun?! pic.twitter.com/glJ4szDsM0

— Marc (@MeltzVegas) September 30, 2021

A couple of friends and I had dinner at Superfrico at Cosmopolitan this week. Upon entering we were asked to keep our masks on and only remove them when food or drink were going in our mouths. This was to help protect performers that sporadically pop up throughout the restaurant. This was to ensure

The food at the Rose.Rabbit.Lie replacement was very good. However, you have to be in the mood for loud music and random performers strolling through the restaurant to enjoy the experience. It’s been a while since I was at Rose.Rabbit.Lie but I think the performances are more frequent and a bit more bombastic at Superfrico. 

The food at Superfrico is a bit more traditional than Rose.Rabbit.Lie. We shared a few pizzas, chicken parm, and fried mozzarella. We left stuffed which wasn’t always the case for this picky eater at the previous restaurant. 

This little intro segues nicely to the big news of the week. 

Cosmopolitan Sold – The Deal

After years of rumors, Blackstone sold Cosmopolitan for a total of $5.65 billion. This is a nice profit having purchased the entire property (land and casino) in 2014 for $1.7 billion. Blackstone spent more than half a billion dollars upgrading the property over the past seven years. All together Blackstone turned a $2.2 billion+ investment into $5.65 billion. Not too shabby.

Like most Las Vegas casino sales recently the operations and real estate were sold separately. Cherng Family Trust, Stonepeak Partners, and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. teamed up to buy the real estate of this deal.

Looking Towards 2022

MGM Resorts purchased operations. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2022.

MGM Will Operate Cosmopolitan

MGM Resorts paid $1.625 billion for the rights to operate Cosmpolitan. The company has a 30-year lease and will pay an annual rent of $200 million with escalations. 

MGM Resorts CEO & President Bill Hornbuckle said “The Cosmopolitan brand is recognized around the world for its unique customer base and high-quality product and experiences.” I think it’s important to understand that MGM realizes that this property has a “unique customer base.” 

While I have concerns about some parts of the property, I think the casino corporation will try to keep a good amount of what makes the Cosmopolitan special to many of us. 

Changes at Cosmopolitan

Some changes will happen shortly after MGM Resorts takes over Cosmopolitan operations. For example, I think MGM will be able to synergize some of the hotel room amenities into their system. Say goodbye to the unique toiletries and hello to whatever Aria and Bellagio offer. 

I expect the comp drink policy will also be one of the first changes. This is a big deal for me as I love playing and drinking at Chandelier Bar because of the middle and top-shelf comps. It will be easy for MGM to switch to cheaper well-drinks for comps. 

There will be other things that take some time. No matter who a new casino operator is, it always takes a minute for a changeover to a new loyalty program.

Loyalty Program Integration Takes A Long Time

It took more than a year for Borgata in Atlantic City to become an Mlife Rewards casino. Even on a smaller scale, it took months for Tropicana to become part of Penn National Gaming’s rewards program. Similarly, it took a while for Eldorado Resorts casinos to become Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program properties.

I’ve been using my rewards like they won’t be around forever. I probably have some time before the comp rooms, free play, and dining credits go away. On the plus side, there should be some kind of temporary system so M Life Rewards customers can book comp and discount rooms.

We have a while to freak out about changes at Cosmopolitan in 2022 and 2023. We can just enjoy the Cosmo while it still operates independently. 

Las Vegas Quick Hits

• There wasn’t much, but let’s get to the Vegas News you may have missed wondering if the Verbena will be available when MGM takes over Cosmopolitan. This is the kind of unique item that MGM has to keep.
• Nevada has a bunch of new laws. One of these laws ensures cannabis lounges will be opening in Las Vegas. Read more here.
• G2E will be here next week and it doesn’t seem like there will be too many groundbreaking new casino games. However, this bonus feature linking sports scores and slot machines seems fun.
• Speaking of things at G2E, this slot installation at Palazzo debuted at the expo a couple of years ago.

The new Dune slots at the Palazzo, via @VGKaytlin pic.twitter.com/HQDr59ERIb

— Las Vegas Locally (@LasVegasLocally) October 2, 2021

• Mulberry Street Pizza is open at Resorts World. Look forward to checking this out. Read more here.
• David Lee Roth is doing a handful of shows at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay starting New Year’s Eve. Read more here.
• Barry’s Downtown Prime at Circa was shortlisted for two restaurant design awards. The restaurant is gorgeous. You can see pics and more information here.
• The MGM Resorts deal to buy 50% of CityCenter was approved. The casino operator then sold it to Blackstone Real Estate and is leasing back operations. Read the press release here.
• Walk On’s Sports Bar is opening at Harrah’s next year. Read more here.
• Eight Cigar Lounge at Resorts World Las Vegas will open on Nov. 4. Read more here.
• Last weekend was busy at McCarran Airport!

BIG WEEKEND RECAP: We told you it was going to be busy and the proof is in the pick-ups! This past Friday, nearly 25,000 Uber, Lyft and taxi rides served travelers arriving at LAS! This was our highest single-day total since early 2020.
As @Vegas says: #TheGreatestArenaOnEarth pic.twitter.com/JHlewMaAoe

— McCarran Airport (@LASairport) September 27, 2021

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M life Tiers –
Living the Mlife – Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and Beyond

So you’re now a seasoned expert at the Mlife way of life. You’ve learned how to maximize your gaming to earn comps and status and to strategically spend your way from Tier to Tier in both Vegas and around the world with select partners. M life Tiers (Mlife Tiers) and tier benefits are very important aspects of the program. Also, don’t forget about the opportunities for an M life Tier Match from another casino loyalty program.

Also, See:

Wynn Rewards + Wynn Status Match

But what exactly are you doing all of this for, and beyond that, what other benefits and oddities does the Mlife Rewards Loyalty Program allow you to explore along the way? We’ll cover all of this as we continue to explore the MGM Casino Loyalty Program. Be sure to review the perks at numerous properties, using the “drop-down” on the M Life Rewards Tier Benefit Page.

In the first part of this series, we told you about the tiers themselves, and about the multipliers that accelerate comp earning as you advance in tiers. But there are other perks that increase when you reach a higher status.

M life Tier Match Promotion –
Now Valid Until January 31, 2022

What’s the fastest way to experience all the benefits of M life Tiers? Consider a tier status match from another competing casino loyalty program.

You can now find the details of the tier match on the Mlife website. All matches must be done in person at the Mlife rewards desk. The offer is currently available through December 31, 2020. @LasVegasUK discussed the current tier status match in a recent article. Recent News: The Tier Match is alive and well! “Visit the M life Rewards desk now through January 31, 2022, to match your Tier!.”

Be sure to visit the M life Rewards desk by January 31, 2022, to match your tier status from an equivalent casino loyalty program.

Tier Benefits – MGM M life Rewards Loyalty Program

As you can see from the chart, with each level comes a new set of benefits in different categories around the MGM Resorts world. Every tier will get you a discount or comp room but start moving up in tiers, and the discounts get better.

Hit Gold, and you’re automatically upgraded at check-in, if available. Reach M life Platinum, and you get first up car service at the valet and a pass to skip the taxi line. They’re little perks, but they make life a lot easier on a crazy club night or a trip where there are extra upgrades to be filled.

What else comes with Gold and up? A dedicated line at the buffet, fine dining priority reservations and VIP line access at select nightclubs for you and a guest.

Mlife Tiers – Retail Benefits (Discounts)

Another perk that comes with Pearl and up is a discount on select retail within the properties. Usually, this is very limited, but it comes in nicely if you want to pick up some sundries that are already overpriced, to begin with. Sapphire gets you 5% off, Pearl and Gold get 10%, and Platinum and Noir 15%. It’s not much, but it makes a dent when you want to pick up a few things for the room or souvenirs for people back home.

NOIR – Mlife Tiers

What about the top of the top? Well, Noir level players get some specials that go even further. Noir cardholders, while only invited, are treated like royalty at the resorts. Complimentary limo transportation, guaranteed reservations and tables at restaurants, and VIP lounge access are the norm. When you hit M life Noir, you’re there for a reason, and MGM will show you why they want your business with all the extra perks that come with the status.

Noir Chairman’s Club –
M Life Tiers

And believe it or not, there’s another level to all of this that’s not even advertised. Sure, you have to be invited to be Noir, but even within that group is another select group, The Chairman’s Club.

What is that exactly? Well, think of it to MGM, what the American Express Black Card is to the rest of the world. (This is probably a more compelling comparison in 2015 than it might be in 2020.)

If you’re in that group, you get what you want, when you want it, no questions asked. Will Mlife acknowledge it exists? No. But it does. What additional benefits does it provide, and does it unlock all the keys to MGM’s kingdom? When we first published this article it was September 2015; there were very few details about this status level. There has been little to no mention of this status level, and its existence has been questioned. You can review an older blog article (2012) and forum posts for context.

Does Noir Chairman’s Club exist in 2020? We have no idea but would love to hear from anyone who has any insight.

myVEGAS Slots

One final twist to throw into the M life loyalty program is something that brings a bit of Vegas fun to your computer or phone. Through an app on Facebook and mobile apps, myVEGAS Slots allows you to earn chips, build your own strip, and play online slots to earn loyalty points.

These points help you get even more out of your stays. Comp buffets, special discounts on rooms and—at one point, you could even earn the right to choose the song the Fountains of Bellagio would play.

The MyVegas app can autoplay, it’s a great way to earn your way to even more freebies, courtesy of Mlife. Be aware, these app benefits and offers and nowhere near as compelling as they were just a few years ago.

Maximize Your Benefits – M life Tiers

So now you’ve learned about the ins and outs of the program. My advice to you is to do what any educated customer would do: use the program, make it work for you and take advantage of every bit of the VIP treatment you can get through your gaming and non-gaming spend at any MGM property or their affiliates.

After all, these programs are put in place to keep you loyal, and there’s nothing wrong with knowing all you can, to make the most with what you’re offered. So go and live the Mlife and enjoy Mlife tiers. Just do it responsibly.

FAQ – M Life Rewards Tier (Status) Levels

Be sure to check out our other Mlife loyalty program articles :
Living the Mlife: An Introduction
Living the Mlife: The Basics – Earning Tier Credits the Traditional Way
Living the Mlife: Points, Partners, and Payouts – Earning Outside of Gaming

Note: Updated October 2021 by the TravelZork editorial staff. This article was originally published in September 2015 by Blackjacker1979.

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