Starting Out on the Casino Status Match Merry Go Round

The Casino Status Match Merry-Go-Round: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The concept of status matching in casinos is akin to a merry-go-round, in that as you jump from one status and then use that status to unlock yet another status at a casino and so forth and so on year after year you are able to continue keeping all of that status accrued from those various casinos without ever slowing down or stopping.

The Origin of Casino Status Matching

Status matching began with rental car companies and hotels, who often used it to try and entice big spending customers from their competitors. If you were entitled to high level perks at Hertz, then maybe Avis would really like you to come try them out. Something like 5% of customers can make up 30% of a companies revenues. They rent a lot of cars.

If I can capture that customer by offering an upgrade and skipping the line, I’d be crazy not too right? And so casinos feel the same way. They know that these players who are willing so spend $1,000 or even $10,000 a trip or more are worth a lot to the bottom line.

They know that you are valued by whoever gave the original high status. They are willing to match that status, those waived resort fees, or cruises, or birthday dinners in order to see if you will be a great customer. A customer that they can capture at a relatively low cost of matching some perks from their competitors.

How Casino Status Matching Works

Basic Principles

The key here is that we have to achieve status somewhere before we can entice other casinos to match it. Without that initial bat we can’t get the merry go round spinning. There are several ways to do this and we look at all of these in depth here.

Once we have that then we can carefully research which casino rewards program matches with the one that we have achieved and begin to build our web of matches, but it stands to reason that some programs will be better than others because they allow us to get more high quality offers and cause our merry go round to pick up momentum.

Requirements and Documentation

Each casino has its own set of requirements for status matching. Commonly, you'll need:

• A valid ID

• A loyalty card from the casino where you hold elite status

• Proof of recent play or activity at the original casino

You will then need to sign up for the new properties card using your status from the initial property.

Benefits of Casino Status Matching

Immediate Perks

The primary allure of status matching is the immediate access to benefits, which can include:

• Complimentary or discounted hotel stays including no resort fees.

• Priority check-in and exclusive access to VIP lounges.

• Enhanced point earning rates and cashback offers.

• Free play, dining credits, and other promotional offers including free cruises.

Expanding Your Options

Status matching allows players to expand their options and enjoy perks at multiple properties. This is especially advantageous for those who travel frequently and visit different casino destinations.

Popular Casino Loyalty Programs and Their Status Match Policies

MGM Rewards

MGM Resorts offers one of the most well-known loyalty programs. To qualify for a status match, you need to present a competitor's loyalty card with a comparable tier but you only get status for 90 days. If you wish to keep your diamond status you need to earn 50k points in those 90 days. Benefits include priority access, complimentary room upgrades, and exclusive event invitations.

Caesars Rewards

Caesars Entertainment is another major player in the status match arena. They frequently run promotions to attract new members by offering immediate tier upgrades. Perks include free hotel stays, dining credits, and access to special events.

Wynn Rewards

Wynn Resorts provides a more exclusive status match program. Players need to demonstrate significant play at other casinos to qualify. Benefits are luxurious, including free suites, dining experiences, and personalized services. Their status match is typically only runs for a few months every year.

The Strategy Behind the Merry-Go-Round

Identifying Opportunities

Make sure and sign up for our casino status match newsletter to stay up to date with current offers, temporary reductions in points needed to attain status in some programs, or tier boost events.

Sequential Matching

One effective strategy is sequential matching, where a player starts with a high-status card from one casino and uses it to gain equivalent status at several others. This approach requires careful planning and timing but can result in a wealth of benefits.

Probably the easiest status to start with is the Wyndham Diamond earned through the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card. This matches Caesar’s Diamond and then from there you have the ability to make several other matches.

Potential Pitfalls of Casino Status Matching

Overextending Yourself

The allure of multiple perks can lead players to overextend themselves, both financially and in terms of time. It's crucial to set limits and avoid the temptation to chase every available offer.

Terms and Conditions

Casinos often have specific terms and conditions attached to their status match offers. These can include play requirements, expiration dates for matched status, and restrictions on certain benefits. Reading the fine print is essential to avoid disappointment. We can help with that and often publish in depth articles so you can better understand the ins and outs of various casino offers or status matches.

Impact on Loyalty

Frequent status matching can affect your relationship with casinos. Casinos value loyalty, and constantly hopping between programs may result in fewer personalized offers and a lower overall value of rewards.

The Future of Casino Status Matching

Increasing Competition

As casinos continue to compete for high-value players, the practice of status matching is likely to evolve. We may see more aggressive promotions, tailored offers, and innovative ways to attract and retain loyal customers.

Fontainebleau was insistent that they wouldn’t status match, but in the end, they were compelled to by popular demand. And while Las Vegas and Atlantic City are status match havens, we have yet to see some of the bigger regional properties go all in on status match, let alone tribal casinos.

Technology and Personalization

Advancements in technology will enable casinos to better track and understand player behavior, leading to more personalized and targeted status match offers. This could result in a more seamless and rewarding experience for players.

But may also mean that randomly giving guests matched status when they don’t have play at other properties, just a high tier level could eventually come to a crashing halt. So, far the casinos wish not to share their player data with an independent third party firm has kept the status match merry go round spinning.

But they may one day choose to participate in an industry wide list of those just looking for freebies and share that info across multiple casino operators. Or worse, they may find another way to mine or pay for that data before granting a status match to a guest.

Conclusion

The casino status match merry-go-round offers an exciting opportunity for players to maximize their rewards and enjoy enhanced benefits across multiple properties. By understanding the mechanics, benefits, and potential pitfalls, savvy gamblers can make the most of this strategy.

Whether you're a high roller or a casual player, status matching can elevate your casino experience, providing immediate access to perks that you would certainly not otherwise receive.