The Manifesto Episode 28: Hilton Timeshares, J4U Scaling, Vegas & More with Justin V

Hello, 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.