Florida Phil's Obsession with Me

[Vman96]

That is correct Ted, the M Resort is part of Marquee Rewards as Penn National Gaming took over operations from the Marnell family. It is called Executive Producer, it has been a while since I last checked up on their casino club.

It takes 125,000 tier points ($125k coin in on Video Poker and/or slots) over a 6 month span to reach there and 400,000 tier points to reach the highest level which is ICON. I know I mentioned that the benefits of being in Executive Producer tier is tremendous, being able to use points to get 50% off meals is one of them.

Based on DougJ described, it sounds like one or two of those trips will be good enough to retain Executive Producer tier.

[QUOTE=BobDancer]
It's not a terrible deal, although not for me. Just a bit more expensive of six days of $250 daily loss in Florida, but at least he doesn't have to write lengthy daily posts justifying how smart his technique is every day!

I will admit that I laughed on that one. DDB is also mentioned and they have 9/6 for quarters as well as 9/5 with a progressive.

The food offers could be pretty excessive since there is also Studio B buffet passes for people who play with their Marquee Rewards card. I do not want to rub people the wrong way if they choose to use up the full potential of the food offers.[/QUOTE]

And 9/6 DDB at the 32 degree craft beer bar too for those who like that kind of thing. But VPFree says that's at only at $2,$5. I'm not sure about that, I wouldn't be shocked if it was at lower denominations. But I am cheaper and play 98.91% Deuces for quarters instead. I probably drink $20/hr worth of craft beer minimum when I visit.   

As for KC, doesn't Hollywood at KS Speedway still offer 9/6 DDB for dollars Doug?

[DougJ]

[QUOTE=onemoretry] [QUOTE=DougJ]
We are given comped a two room suite, and sometimes a flat suite, for the week. Food: $200 per day.
Transport to/from McCarran.
I'm envious. Approximately how much daily coinin is needed to secure all that at the M?[/QUOTE]He said he gets $600 or more in free play. Assuming that means exactly $600, that means he played $200,000 coin-in given the rate there.. . . [/QUOTE]

No, I didn't say I received upwards of $600 in free play. It is cash back. Semantics, okay, but it's not as if M hands us $600 in Free Play just by walking in their front door.

I do also get M monthly mailers, which include $150 in free play. The monthly mailer also includes four free buffets.
And, it's not $200,000 coin in because M doubles points on video poker play five days out of seven. (For those who play slots, which we don't, it varies between 7X or 8X points)

[DougJ]

. . .

And 9/6 DDB at the 32 degree craft beer bar too for those who like that kind of thing. But VPFree says that's at only at $2,$5. I'm not sure about that, I wouldn't be shocked if it was at lower denominations.

As for KC, doesn't Hollywood at KS Speedway still offer 9/6 DDB for dollars Doug?[/QUOTE]


9/6 DDB is offered at M at all denominations, including quarters and dollars.

Hollywood is also a Penn Gaming property. I went there opening week to see what they had. Haven't been back.

[Vman96]

Oh, well, last time I was there (~20 months ago), they had 9/6 DDB for $1 and $2. Hard to say if that's still there at this point.   I made that update for VPFree2...haha

I'd still save up for Vegas though. More fun, and I'm pretty certain the M would give you more comps anyway. Hard to beat Southwest out of KC right now.

[DougJ]

I was going to ask if double points were eligible on the 25-13-4-3-3-1-1 Bonus Poker. If 200 dollars of food per day was not enough, they can exchange their $600 for $1200 more food as an Executive Director or ICON tier member. Wonder if they go on the carnival cruise as part of the benefit.

Thanks Doug onemoretry and Mr. Dancer for the insight on the M Resort. I was thinking along those lines and it's worth a serious consideration now.

Here is additional information on our experience with M:

(1) $200/food per day can also be used at Spa Mio. Spa services are expensive here.

(2) Spending $200/day doesn't often happen, but it can be averaged out, and more can be spent on one day versus another. Going to Anthony's Steakhouse can easily run up over $200, so another day's leftover food dollars are applied to that dinner.

(3) M has an above average buffet, and it is quite easy, especially on weekdays, to earn a free buffet AND M does NOT take your points for that free buffet. In fact, the same points earned can be used as entries into their numerous slot tournaments and free drawings. There is nothing comparable in terms of earning/using points.

(4) It is very difficult to earn Executive Producer or Icon level at M. So, Carnival Cruises are not in your future just by virtue of a weeklong gambling trip or two. It takes FOUR times as much points playing VP as it does playing slots to earn tier points. And, whatever points are doubled during their five day/week Double points on VP are not included in tier points. To clarify, your VP points are doubled, which is great for earning cash back, but the doubled amount is not also applied to tier credits. It is almost impossible for non-locals to earn Executive Producer or Icon levels playing VP. When your M player's card is inserted, your account may show, for example, 80,000 points. Great. You have $240 cash back, easily redeemed at the cashier (or just downloaded for free play, if you prefer). But, you do NOT have 80,000 tier points towards Executive Producer or Icon status. You have 20,000 points.

(5) We have a Rock Star of a host at M, who is the very definition of "old school Vegas." We've had hosts at Venetian, back in the day, as well as a couple Downtown casinos. Nothing compares. If you email the M host, you get an instant reply in most cases. Within ten minutes. Calls are always answered. If we make a special request, such as a specific suite, that request is met 99% of the time.
To us, that makes the experience worthwhile.

I'd recommend M. We've been to South Point, and didn't like it, but to each their own.

[alpax]

Much appreciated DougJ for taking the time to respond to all of our questions. I was not aware of the 1/4 rate of tier points compared to cash back points. It would take $500,000 coin in of VP to reach Executive Producer, a big bankroll is needed to play that 50 play game or $5 denomination single line. By that time the player will have $3000 cashback if 2x points are played or $1500 if 2x points is not applied.

The Studio B Buffet deal they have is fantastic. I make sure to do it every time I go to Vegas. Chances are 1000 points for a free gift is available too.

Based on #5, it is important to build rapport with the host and assure them play for the lengthy stay.

[Tedlark]

Um $20.00 worth of craft beer per hour Vman? $20.00???

[DougJ]

One more point I forgot to mention about M:

Whatever tier status you earn is only valid for six months. Yes, tier points reset every six months. Thus, another reason why it is nigh impossible for a non-local to earn Executive Producer or Icon levels.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but I believe that at all other casinos, your status is valid for a year. I understand that you can be "upgraded" along the way and earn a higher tier level before the year is up. But, no where else have I played where I would have to continuously "earn" my tier level every 6 months.

[alpax]

One more point I forgot to mention about M:

Whatever tier status you earn is only valid for six months. Yes, tier points reset every six months. Thus, another reason why it is nigh impossible for a non-local to earn Executive Producer or Icon levels.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but I believe that at all other casinos, your status is valid for a year. I understand that you can be "upgraded" along the way and earn a higher tier level before the year is up. But, no where else have I played where I would have to continuously "earn" my tier level every 6 months.

I see the 6 month tier now being a common place now and days. The Boarding Pass on Stations is 6 month period, but I believe that is 1 to 1 ratio for VP. The BConnected for Boyd Gaming is also 6 month period, but for non-locals, it is a rolling 12 month period, the points you earned on a month 12 months ago become wiped. For the big clubs like Total Rewards and MLife, it is for 12 month period. If you earn points right before March? (TR) or October (MLife) starts, it will be reset right away.

Club Palms for Palms casino is the 6 month standard as well. That is what makes the club at SouthPoint so good, no tier levels.

[BobDancer]

M doubles points on video poker play five days out of seven. Good reason not to play two of those seven days