The Manifesto Episode 28: Hilton Timeshares, J4U Scaling, Vegas & More with Justin V
Added 2021-10-12 05:51:01 +0000 UTCHello, and welcome to The Manifesto with Gideon, the Free-quent Flyer, on the Milenomics Podcast Network. I’m Gideon, the Free-quent Flyer, and I’m joined today by returning guest, from the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, Justin Vacula. Justin, welcome back to the Manifesto.
[0:24] Plugs
- Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
- Website: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HGTravelPodcast
- Milenomics Slack: JustinV Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
- The Stoic Solutions Podcast: http://justinvacula.com/
- NEW: Zorkfest 2021: https://travelzork.com/zorkfest/
[1:25] Hilton Grand Vacation timeshare presentation
- Trump International
- How were you targeted? Calling to change a reservation.
- What were the terms?
- Pay $199 upfront for 3 nights
- After attending, get $199 refund plus $200 “travel voucher” at Hilton properties
- How quickly did you have to decide? Blackout dates to consider?
- Voucher for specific Hilton sub-brand (Doubletree, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, etc.). After completely a paid stay at that brand, mail the voucher and receipt and get a check back. 6 months to use.
- What was the stay like? Was it more like a hotel or more like a condo complex?
- Booking experience start to finish.
- Deposit
- Dates
- No diamond benefits
- Time-share presentation
- Refund of deposit
- Receipt of $200 Hilton voucher
[17:55] Just4U bonanza
- What the hell is “FreshPass?”
- How hard are you hitting it?
- Do you have weekly reward refresh yet?
- Any issues with rewards that don’t disappear after redemption?
[24:50] Followup: MyVegas
- First JustinV episode: Manifesto Episode 19, February 24, 2021
- I spent about 4 or 5 weeks working up a balance of 160,000 or so “Loyalty Points” or “coins:” https://freequentflyerbook.com/blog/2021/2/26/what-i-learned-in-3-days-messing-around-with-mgms-fake-online-slots
- Redemption limits. “Premium” versus “non-premium” rewards? How many of each can you clip at a time/per quarter?
- 3 premium rewards in 30-day rolling period
- $70-75 in-game spending: 4th premium reward slot
- You’ve been in Atlantic City and Vegas (and National Harbor?), what are your preferred rewards selections right now?
- Borgata Atlantic City: $10 slot dollars, $25 table match play, $25 dining credit, 1 free night Monday-Thursday. Total 105,000 Loyalty Points
- Park MGM: $15 match play, $25 match play
- Bellagio LV: $75/day F&B credit (two night stay minimum), $25 in freeplay, $50 in freeplay, $100 in freeplay, complimentary night. Total 725,000 Loyalty Points
- Aria LV: $75/day F&B credit (two night stay minimum), free cocktail, $50 freeplay, $100 freeplay, complimentary night. Total 696,000 Loyalty Points
- Luxor: $20 off $40 at Diablo’s Cantina. $20 off $40 at Public House.
- Are there other tricks people should be aware of?
- Blackjack training apps: “blackjack strategy trainer”
- Red or black in Roulette
- Pass line in craps
[32:36] What is Vegas/AC like today?
- Background: Dots Lines & Destinations 317 with Michael Traeger, November 12, 2020 https://moredotsmorelines.com/2020/11/12/dld-317-the-circa-circus-in-vegas/
- LAS Centurion Lounge open? Operating normally?
- Casino lounges? What’s changed in operation? Buffets, table service, bar service?
- What do poker rooms/table games/slot machines look like now? Smoking still allowed, plexiglass barriers, masks on employees/customers? Restaurants, bars, shops?
[40:05] Albuquerque Balloon Festival trip report
- Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, 5,000 points per night
- $40/person Globalist breakfast benefit, room service only. Allowed to use against fee and tip.
[48:05] Quar Question of the Week
- What are your top 3 casinos for gambling (online or offline), food, and entertainment, and has it changed over time?
- Gambling: Great poker dealers at Caesar’s; terrible dealers at Bellagio.
- Food: $150 Wynn Rewards Birthday Dinner
- Sleeping: HGV promo (2 hours for 3 nights and $200 travel voucher)
- Entertainment: High Roller Wheel. 2 free show tickets with Diamond status.
Thanks again to Justin Vacula from the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast. You’ve been listening to The Manifesto with Gideon, the Free-quent Flyer, on the Milenomics Podcast Network. Goodbye, and good luck.