Travel Blog

How to get free casino bonuses

If you want to receive free casino bonuses, you must make sure that the casino knows that you’re in the casino. That you are playing the slot machines, or the tables. The casinos have automated the approach to tracking their customers. They now use slot cards primarily for people who play machines. At the tables, it is still the pit boss who keeps track of someone playing at their tables. You are at their mercy in terms of casino bonuses. However, if you get their attention and they observe that you are consistently playing without delay without taking breaks they will reward you with extra comps and bonuses. This is including free meals, rooms, etc depending on your style of play, the denomination of your bets, and so on.

Slot cards

A slot card is a simple card much like a credit card but with a different function. It identifies the player to the casino whenever the slot card is inserted into the slot machine. When the card is in the machine the computer will keep track of your play, the amount that you bet, and the time spent playing the machine. Based on the stats, the casino will figure out what bonuses to provide you while you’re in the casino as well as on your next trip. It is these stats that are so important when it comes to receiving free bonuses and patrons of the casino should always make sure that their slot card is properly inserted.

Not all slot cards are the Same

All slot cards work pretty much the same way. Unfortunately, not all casinos give out comps or bonuses in the same manner or the same quantity. As a general rule, if there is lots of competition, the comp’s are going to get better. If there is only one casino in the area, then you may receive mediocre comps and bonuses. I guess something is better than nothing.

A good example is the OLG casinos run in Ontario. They give out bonuses, however, they are notorious for being the worst in the industry for bonuses, simply because they do not have any competition in the markets they operate in. if you are looking for serious bonuses, don’t waste your money in OLG casinos, go to the states or border towns like Niagara Falls and Windsor to receive better casino bonuses.

Types of Free Bonuses to Expect

They all depend on your play and the number of visits to the casino, the length of time you spend playing, and the denomination of your bets. But even a little casino bonus is better than nothing at all.

Free rooms – or discounted rooms can be obtained based on your play
Complimentary meals – free meals, two for one deal, and discounted meals.
Free play – free cash loaded onto your card for you to play in the slot machines
Small jackpot – sometimes small jackpots are awarded based on draws, etc
Free upgrades – an upgrade to a better class of room is sometimes offered
Casino rate – paying the casino rate is always better than someone booking a room with no slot card.

Points Play – based on your play, points are awarded and can be used to pay for meals, rooms, and sundries at the gift store.

Remember to always make sure to have your slot card properly inserted into your slot machine when playing. If you see an error message on the small screen, re-insert your card. Make sure that your play counts towards your casino bonuses.

We thought we start off with a list of the typical things that casinos hand out as comps in an effort to attract customers. As we indicated previously not all casinos will offer these comps so check them out when you visit and let us know. We will be updating and adding posts here from time to time about the comps and promotions we encounter. They also change with time, so what we place on this web site may not be always correct and up to date when you visit.

All comps assume you are using a slot card or have identified yourself to the pit boss if you are paying the tables. This is the only way they can keep track of your play and provide comps to you from time to time.

Standard List of Casino Promotions and Comps

These are not in any order of value or popularity.

• Free or discounted drinks when playing at the tables or the slots
• Adding free play to your slot card
• Free meals at most restaurants
• Free rooms on week nights or even on the weekend
• Discounted rooms st what is called casino rate
• Free WiFi
• Free newspaper, although who reads a newspaper any more
• Access is free to spa or at least to the pool and exercise rooms
• Free tickets to shows and entertainment
• Free passes for bridge tolls if applicable
• Sometimes they even offer free gas
• Free travel costs – gasoline, air, train etc
• Senior discounts for meals, drinks and other items
• Half price deals on just about everything
• Free draws and ticket promotions
• Random in your seat draws for money, meals or tickets to shows
• Times points awards e.g. 5 times or 13 times the points you normally receive

As we come across added comps and promotions we will update this list, however if you are aware of some that we have missed, let us know and we will add them.

Why Collect these Points etc

Some people cannot be bothered with all of this and the need to carry and insert a slot card into a slot machine. They are more focused on what they win or lose. We believe that the comps are part of the winning side of things. A free room might be worth a $100 at some locations, meals worth $30 etc. This is the same as winning a small jackpot which you get to actually receive and enjoy. One always must be careful about how much they play and gamble, but it is a nice surprise to be given something that you were not expecting. Take advantage of these casino promotions whenever you can!

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This page is totally dedicated to providing a running news source of all of the posts that we have written over the years. In fact our news twitter feed will show you a random feed of posts  with links to our various web sites. We constantly update our posts and we also add new posts every week. Check them out from time to time!

Tweets by @Globalcomic

These posts cross a broad subject matter and you will see something different every day so check back often to read up on the latest posts about a variety of topics.

News Twitter Feed

As of this update, we have over 1,100 followers and are growing every day. It is pretty amazing that we have this number of followers and that people also retweet some of our tweets. We feel it says a lot about what consumers want to read about.

If you see something that interests you or you want to know more about it, just let us know, and we will do the research and tweet a new post about that subject. This is a long-term project of ours and something we care about. We love to write about various subjects, and we also learn in the process.

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Sign up for slot cards to receive both casino bonuses online as well as receive them by email and in the traditional way via snail mail. In fact, you can ask the casino to only send your casino bonuses online by email if you are traveling a lot and prefer to receive everything by email. This is really the most convenient way to get our bonuses.

Sign Up for Free Slot Cards

They are free to all casino players. All you need to do is sign up at the slot card desk. They just need proof of address and a couple of pieces of identification and you are ready to go. They will print a slot card for you which you must use whenever you are playing slots. This keeps track of your play and how much you spend to help them decide what casino bonuses to provide to you.

Give them your email id and they will send everything by email. Of course, you must make sure that these emails do not end up in your junk folder. Just go into your junk folder once and while to see what is there and designate those that you know are legitimate so they will appear in your regular mail in the future.

Receive Casino Bonuses Online Offers

Receive email news and offers for casino bonuses to all of your favorite casinos. In some cases, you can sign onto their website. Review all of the offers that are available to you at various properties. These are usually the large chains such as MGM and Harrah’s casinos that have this particular feature. View bonuses online and then select the one that you want to take advantage of. Often free night stays at their hotels are the most common. Book free bonus rooms online or just call the hotel reservations line, give them your slot card number and the online bonus number you want to use to book your free or discounted room.

Players can also view the free play, cashback offers, etc. online as well. This is the best way by far to find out what casino bonuses are available online.

We continually receive casino bonus emails and frankly this is the best way to get them. Some still arrive by regular mail however if you are traveling and away from home a lot, they typically do not get to us in time to take advantage of the offers. Email is much preferred as a method to receive information about casino bonuses. You can quickly review the bonus and then decide if you want to keep it or just delete it. Of course you can also log onto your promotions account and find out what the offers are, however this takes more time etc. We are more than satisfied to receive these casino bonuses by email.

Store Casino Bonus On Your Smart Phone

There is no need to store them or take them with you when you go to the casino. They are all on your smart phone and they are on your slot card as well! Occasionally we need an offer code that must be provided in order to receive the bonus from the casino. Always keep your bonus with you on your smart phone until the date has passed or you have used the bonus.

The casino usually also has all of these bonus offers on file and will be able to provide you with the reward just by scanning your slot card.

What Are the Types of Casino Bonuses?

Casino bonuses include free play which is money that you can use to play on your favorite slot machine, free meals at restaurants in the casino or attached hotel, free rooms at the hotel on specified nights and much more depending on your play. If you are a heavy player expect really high casino bonuses. These can be like small jackpots for many people and sometimes you win a large jackpot on your free play, which is an extra bonus.

Many casinos are corresponding with their clients by email and also by providing links on their websites to user comp’s! Online Casino Bonus is delivered to them regardless of where they are right to their smartphones. This is clearly the way of the future. There are so many benefits to taking this approach compared to the old snail mail approach.

Online Casino Bonus Comp’s

Online casino bonuses include free rooms, free play, and free tickets to shows. Also free meals as well as many other comp’s that high rollers value. These comps are earned by using your slot card and inserting it into the slot machine. It keeps track of the amount of play that you do. They look at time spent, the amount of money you bet, and the rate of betting. Based on these factors along with the number of times and kind of slot machines you play the casinos will determine what comp’s you are eligible for. They will send them to you either electronically by email. Or refer you to their website where you can sign in and collect your comp’s or send a coupon to you via the old snail mail method.

Sending comp’s by snail mail costs much more money than sending an online bonus by email etc. Most casinos deliver their comp’s in this manner now, saving thousands of dollars in mailing costs. The cost of printing, packaging, and postage was astronomical compared to sending an email with attachments or referrals to a website where their customer can log into their account and see what they have in terms of comps.

Free Rooms and Freeplay Online Bonus

The comps we enjoy the most are receiving complimentary rooms, free play, and free meals. This saves us money and allows us to stay at hotels that we might not be able to afford otherwise. The rooms are always great and receiving one of the comp’s is the same as winning a small jackpot. In addition, free play is always fun. This is an amount of credit that you receive on your slot card which you can play in the same manner that you would play your own money. If you win while you are playing your free play, you get to keep the winnings.

Many slot cards also award points to your card as you play the slots or the tables. Customers can use these points for just about anything you would spend money on in the casino, including sundries from the gift shop to paying for meals at the buffet or even the high-end restaurants. All of this is free and if you are not taking advantage of these online bonuses now, you should be. As we said they are the same as winning a small jackpot and who would walk away from winning a jackpot.

Online casinos are also offering online bonuses, however, they do not appear to be as lucrative. They can only offer free play which is great, but sometimes you just want to be able to do something different with your points. The brick-and-mortar casinos with their online bonuses are clearly the way to go for this gambler.

Most people who are going vacation and only have a couple of weeks to be away from work. They want to maximize time that they have while on vacation and as a result they’re paying great deal for hotels and airfare and meals. But there are other ways to go on vacation and have your cost kept to a minimum while still enjoying all of the things that there are to enjoy in other countries. If you are wondering how to take a 4 month vacation, read on. We have some great ideas for you to consider. Developing a plan to take a 4 month vacation is very important as well.

How to Take a 4 Month Vacation – Rent  vs. Hotels

The first step is to rent a condo, apartment, or house where you can make some or all of your own meals. This is a far less expensive way to go on vacation than if you are in a hotel and eating out for each meal. When we do this sort of thing, we might eat out a couple of times a week or take in a happy hour with the rest of our meals eaten in our rented condo. Another way to save some money is to take in happy hours and street kiosks. You may not always want to do this, but it is a nice variation.

One of the neat things about renting a condo for a fraction of the cost it would be to stay in a hotel or motel is that you can then afford to spend more time on your vacation. Personally I would rather take this time away then have a few expensive meals and stay in a hotel. We are able to travel much more when we conserve money in this manner and many of our friends wonder how we can afford to travel the way we do.

Camping and Hostels

Of course some people will never eat out and might even camp or stay in hostels, which is another approach to traveling cheaply. Of course you can travel for longer periods of time when you travel in this manner. For other folks a middle of the road approach allows them to enjoy some luxury and some roughing it as well.

Looking for deals and grabbing them when they become available is really being an opportunist and saving money. As long as the place you are staying in is clean and safe, every dollar you save is another dollar you can spend somewhere else on your travels. taking advantage of spontaneous trips and deals adds spice to your life vs. the rigid approach of being on a bus and in specific hotels every night.

The Skeptics are Stuck at Home

There will be many skeptics and mainly those that are stuck at home, afraid to travel or unwilling to stretch their money so they can get away and travel. They may not even be able to fathom how you can travel the way that you do, because unless you have been there and done it, they just refuse to accept it. Secretly they are envious and wish they were with you but just cannot bring themselves to follow in your foot steps. Try to take a 4 month vacation every year, watch your spending and enjoy life.

Take a 4 Month Vacation – Be Flexible

For example one friend of ours will only travel by car if he has reservations made for his entire trip. He needs to know exactly where he will be each night and how much he is paying along with what restaurants there are to choose from. We on the other hand, only decide where we are staying that evening when we pull into a motel or hotel. Sometimes we have been caught with a less than desirable location with few restaurants to choose from, but that just adds to the excitement of the journey.

We also do not take unnecessary chances or go to dangerous places. Sure we go to places that might be uncomfortable sometimes and only stay for one night. This happens by chance rather than by choice and we try to avoid them whenever possible. Common sense goes a long way: Don’t flaunt expensive electronics or jewelry; learn a few phrases of the local language; be polite and cautious with strangers; don’t wander the streets drunk late at night. Odds are you’ll be in no more danger than a similar situation in your hometown.

Work While You Travel

Some folks work while they travel and this also covers some of the cost of travel. If you can write a story about where you are and make some money from it, so much the better. If you can work on a contract while traveling with your computer and smart phone, why not. As long as it is only a few hours a day or week and does not interfere with your travel enjoyment, you have the best of both worlds.

You only live once so why not enjoy yourself and stretch your dollars as far as possible rather than spend a lot of money on expensive hotels and meals, which limits the amount of time you can be on the road.

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We cannot understand why anyone really would want to go to all inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta. It is not because they are not nice places to go. They are extremely great places to go. Especially if you want to go somewhere and be pampered, not worry about a thing and not even be concerned about where you are going to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

We have been to all inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta and they are very nice. The grounds were great, the food was excellent, the pool was heated and clean and it was an extremely enjoyable thing to do. But for us by the end of the week we were getting a little bored. We wanted to get out and explore, talk to some of the locals, go to one of the bars and try a more authentic restaurant. We also wanted to go exploring to other villages.

Resorts in Puerto Vallarta – Going Out

The trouble is in Mexico you must be very careful especially when traveling in certain areas. We stay in Puerto Vallarta and toured around to many of the small villages on Banderas bay. There are many quaint little towns that offer beautiful restaurants, beaches and parks to enjoy. Nothing better than have a few beers on the beach and then being served fresh Mexican food right on the beach under a palapa.

We took the buses mainly to get around. This gets us away from the all inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta to explore the area. We were able to visit the small towns, the shops in these towns and to sample some of the tequila that many places offer. Some stores offer their patrons a shot of tequila to sip while they are shopping for some of their products.

We once visited a jewelry store that served tequila in the back of the store to all of the patrons that visited their store and spent some time there. We think they just wanted to loosen us up so we would spend more money and it probably works. The tequila was ok, not really great or really bad. It was a nice touch to be provided something different.

For many more posts about vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, click here.

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There are many Casinos Locations all over the country in almost every state and in every province in Canada. All of these local governments have realized that there is a revenue opportunity. If they do not have a casino the money is going out of state. Their citizens travel to other locations to spend their money at casinos located across the border. They are competing for gamblers’ dollars and building casinos almost everywhere.

The good news for gamblers is that there is often a casino not far from all major population centers. The map above shows just how many there are. It also shows where the concentration of casinos is located.  The bad news is that there are a lot of casinos. If you are a problem gambler there is a lot of temptation for gamblers to spend their money.

The other bad news is the lack of competition. In Las Vegas and several other locations, there are a lot of casinos and there is a lot of competition for patrons to stay at hotels, to eat in their restaurants, and to gamble in their casinos.  When there is only one casino in your area, there is no competition and the perks are few. Limited free play, limited meals for free and limited or no free hotel rooms. You just have to save your money and go to some of the gambling meccas to get some of these comp’s that are frequently handed out.

Casinos Locations – Major Locations

Las Vegas, Laughlin, Tunica, Biloxi, and Atlantic City are the major locations where you can count on some competition for your dollars where the casinos will comp you for rooms, meals, and lots of free play to entice you to come to their casino. Several of the major players such as Harrahs and MGM Grande have casinos all over the country at the major locations. You can use your total rewards card or MGM card at these casinos and collect points, free play, and free meals. We think that patrons should take advantage of these perks. They are little jackpots which you would spend anyway.

Casino Free Play is another way that the casinos reward their customers based on their play at the slot machines. This is a credit they add to your slot card. It can be used as real money while playing the slots. You cannot cash in the free play. But you can cash in any winnings you might get while playing the slots using your casino free play!

How Much Can You Win With Casino Free Money

We once had received $100 in casino free play and hit a jackpot of $800. Which we cashed in of course! You do not always win like that. But you usually get 75% to 100% of your casino free play cashback from winning small jackpots! The amount you win while playing free play credit can vary a great deal. If you win a jackpot, well the sky is the limit.

On the other hand, if you win a bunch of small wins as you are playing you can expect as we indicated earlier. It will range from 50 to 75% of the amount of free play you received. The amount you win depends on the particular machine you are playing. Also whether it is in a winning cycle or not. We find that the poker machines tend to pay a little better than some of the other machines unless of course, you win a jackpot.

How To Receive Comps

Casino free play can be mailed to you as a coupon or it can just show up on your card as a surprise one day. Most casinos want you to visit the slot host and they will add the casino free play you are entitled to. You will usually have 24 hours to use it and if you do not use it you could lose it altogether. We find the best approach is to see the slot host, have the free play added to our slot card, and then use it right away!

You will also need to enter a PIN number which you must remember and use at the slot machine in order to obtain your free play.  If you forget it the slot host can reset it for you.

This is a really interesting story that puts earth’s population in perspective. If you could fit the entire Earth’s Population into a village consisting of 100 people, maintaining the proportions of all the people living on Earth, that village would consist of

• 57 Asians
• 21 Europeans
• 14 Americans (North, Central and South)
• 8 Africans

There would be:

• 52 women and
• 48 men
• 30 Caucasians and
• 70 non-Caucasians
• 30 Christians and
• 70 non-Christians
• 89 heterosexuals and
• 11 homosexuals

6 people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA

80 would live in poverty  70 would be illiterate 50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition 1 would be dying 1 would be being born 1 would own a computer

1 (yes, only one) would have a university degree

Earth’s Population – Understanding

If we looked at the Earth’s Population in this way, the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.

But, consider again the following :

If you woke up this morning in good health, you have more luck than one million people, who won’t live through the week.

If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation, then you are better off than 500 million people.

Can you go to your place of worship without fear that Someone will assault or kill you. If yes, then you are luckier than 3 billion (that’s right) people.

If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world’s population.

Do you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse? You are one of 8 of the privileged few amongst the 100 people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married, you’re a rare individual.

You are Fortunate

If someone sent you this message, you’re extremely lucky,

Because someone is thinking of you and because you don’t comprise one of those 2 billion people who can’t read.

and so?

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like nobody has ever hurt you. Dance like nobody is watching. Sing like nobody is listening. Live as if this was paradise on Earth.

Send this message to your friends.

Bypass those who are determined to see the worst in the world no matter what. If you don’t send it, nothing will happen.If you do send it, someone might smile while they are reading it, and that will be a positive.

AND APART FROM THAT, SIMPLY HAVE A NICE DAY

Author Unknown

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There is no doubt that Palm Springs and really all of the valley towns derive their lively hood from  tourists. Vacation rentals of homes, condo’s and of course hotels / motels provide many places to stay. During the spring Palm Springs Rental traffic swells the city to at least double its normal size.  All of the snowbirds that are in town for the season take up many rooms. You can literally see the difference in the amount of people in the city after March 31^st. The majority of the snow birds leave town at this time.

Palm Springs Rental – Rent Hotels, Homes or Condos

They stay in a variety of locations. Many will rent condo’s or homes for the season, while some will only come to the city to visit for a couple of weeks and live in one of the thousands of motels that are within a 5 block walking distance of down town Palm Springs. There are lots of homes and condo’s all over the city, some in gated communities that are some distance from the down town area and require a car to visit everything from shopping for groceries to going out for the weekend.

We have stayed in the Palm Springs area for many years during the winter and strongly recommend that visitors try to find a place within walking distance of local shopping and restaurants. You do not need to be concerned about drinking and driving and it can be much more pleasant to go for a walk in the evening and visit the downtown area of Palm Springs.

Gated Communities in Palm Springs

There are lots of golf courses in the area and many have gated communities surrounding them. They are quiet and serene, however you must always get in your car to pretty much do anything. Some come with golf courts and these can be used also for short trips. We suggest that you think about the type of lifestyle that you would prefer and then book a place for the time you will be in Palm Springs that fits your type of lifestyle.

If you are staying for less than a month, homeowners and motels are obligated to charge city tax on the rent payments. While if you stay longer, taxes are not charged and can save a great deal of money for many people. Always negotiate your rental rates. Before you begin, take the time to learn what the going rates are for whatever you plan to rent and then negotiate based on this average rate.

Condo’s and homes have the advantage of being a home away from home. All of the linens, towels, furniture and kitchen utensils are provided. Meals prepared at home can be much less expensive than eating out all of the time. Of course if you are on vacation for only a week, you may decide to eat out more often than someone who is staying for several months.

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Casino free bonus opportunities abound if you know how to find them and take advantage of them. Many consumers visit a resort area such as Atlantic City or Las Vegas. They book their trips through a travel agent for both flights and hotels. If you have never been to any of these areas, this is not a bad way to travel there for the first time. You get a chance to get to know the cities, the resorts, and experience everything that the resort has to offer. Even on your first trip, there are casino free bonuses that can be found.

The main way to take advantage of casino free bonus opportunities is to obtain a free casino slot card if you plan to play the slots. If you play the tables for any length of time, you can also receive bonuses from the pit boss as well. Back to the casino slot cards. They are free to sign up for and all you do is plug them in to the slot machine while you are playing slots. They keep track of your play. Based on your play, the amount you bet over time, and the length of time that you play, you will become eligible for bonuses from the casino.

Casino Free Bonus

The casino free bonus can consist of free play, meal comp’s, show comp’s, and room comp’s. It all depends on how much you play. Some of the casinos are fully automated and you can get your free bonus without needing to see a slot casino host. You build up comp’s as you play. When you decide to dine at a restaurant in the casino, and it comes time to pay, first give your slot card to the waiter and he or she will deduct whatever comp you have on your card. If you still owe money, all you need to do is to pay the rest with your credit card or charge the remainder to your room.

We always charge our meals to our room and then go see the slot host before we check out to see what they will do for us. Many times they will write off some or all of these expenses in addition to the slot comp we already received. For many people, this can be the same as winning another little jackpot. If the casino is willing to give you this slot bonus, why not take advantage of it.

Free Play Casino Bonus

Free play is another casino bonus that can be fun to get. This free play is money that is added to your slot card to be used in a slot machine. The casino adds this free play bonus based on your play. It allows players to play the slots with this money until it is used up. You cannot take the free play out in cash, but any winnings you get while playing the free play is yours to keep.

We have won $800 on occasion just from our free play. This is really a bonus in my mind. You do not always win a large amount, but often you will win the equivalent in free play which you can continue play or take it out and keep the cash.

Casino Free Bonus Rooms

Free rooms are another benefit that can be very attractive as a bonus. You can receive free rooms in two ways. The first is to see the slot host before you check out of your hotel. They will let you know if they will comp you for anything charged to your room including the cost of the room. Again it depends on how much you gamble during your stay. If you play is high enough, they will often give you a night or two free. Which can compensate for any losses that you may have experienced.

The second way to receive free rooms as a bonus is through coupons that are mailed to you. When you sign up for a slot card, typically you will give them your address as well as your email. You can receive coupons with free rooms attached from time to time. Again depending on the amount of play from your last visit. The hotels also use this approach to build visits on slow weeks. They do this when they know the hotel will not be full. This is usually when there are no conferences on or it is just a slow period.

Take advantage of casino free bonus opportunities whenever you can. At least you will get some money back from your slot play.

We saw this email and just had to include it here on our blog because we are Proud to be Canadian. Not sure who the writer is, but whoever it was he did a good job! This represents the English side of Canada. There may be something like this hanging around for our french contingent. If there is, let us know and send it along. We would be happy to include it on this blog. This is both funny and also contains a lot of truth to it as well.

Proud to be Canadian – You May Be From Canada If…….

You’re not offended by the term, “Homo Milk.”

You understand the phrase, “Could you pass me a serviette, I just dropped my poutine, on the chesterfield.”

You eat chocolate bars, not candy bars.

Canadians drink pop, not soda.

You know what a Mickey and 2-4 mean.

You don’t care about the fuss with Cuba. It’s a cheap place to go for your holidays, with good cigars.

A pike is a type of fish, not part of a highway.

You drive on a highway, not a freeway.

You have Canadian Tire money in your kitchen drawers.

Casey and Finnegan were not part of a Celtic musical group.

You get excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada.

More Canadian Hints

You brag to Americans that: Shania Twain, Jim Carrey, Celine Dion and many more are Canadians.

The C.E.O. of American Airlines is a Canadian!

You know what a touque is.

You design your Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

The last letter of the English alphabet is always pronounced “Zed” not “Zee”.

Your local newspaper covers the national news on two pages, but requires six pages for hockey.

You know that the four seasons mean: almost winter, winter, still winter, and roadwork.

When it’s 25 degrees outside, it’s a warm day.

You understand the Labatt Blue commercials.

You know how to pronounce and spell “Saskatchewan.” (Sas-Kat-chew-wan)

Canadians perk up when you hear the theme song from “Hockey Night in Canada.”

You were in grade 12, not the 12th grade.

“Eh?” is a very important part of your vocabulary and more polite than, “Huh?”

You actually understand these jokes and forward them to your Canadian friends! Then you send them to your American friends just to confuse them…further.

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We have traveled a lot over the years. Travel Tips for Busy Parents will help you prepare for your next trip. We have found that there are a number of steps you can take to make your travel more enjoyable and a lot less stressful. This post is an attempt to help other people who love to travel. They want to be organized and enjoy their trips at the same time without feeling the need to take a huge amount of clothing, or have problems with lost luggage etc. This is our list of Travel Tips for Busy Parents and what works for us. If you feel that some additional items should be added, feel free to leave us a comment. We will be happy to add your item to the list if it makes sense for travelers. Here we go:

Travel Tips for Busy Parents

Keep the wardrobe simple – pick one or two colors and stick with that for your tops and bottoms. Mix and match so there is something different every day and only take enough business clothes for five days. Most hotels have a cleaning service if you need that. Take two days of casual clothes as well and then rotate your clothes to keep looking your best. If you feel you need something more, a quick trip to a shopping store can usually do the trick.

Call home – and send text messages to your kids and spouse. Try to have quick catch up calls with your family in the morning and evening. Don’t forget they are usually on a schedule as well with school and work as well as activities.

Adapt to Local Time – stick with the local time and adjust your sleep pattern to the whatever time zone you are in. the first night may be difficult, but then you will be better for it as the week goes on.

Make use of WiFi

Uuse your smart phone and WiFi to keep up with emails and home office / customer requirements as well as emails from the family.  It is amazing how many emails you can go through while standing inline for the elevator or waiting for your colleagues to arrive. Make use of your time and be efficient with emails. Same thing in airports or other places where you may find yourself waiting for someone or some thing such as an airline or train.

Fly early or very late – Red eyes are great, especially if you can sleep on the plane. You get home early to see your family and you can still spend a full day at work. Fly early to allow for meetings in the late morning or early afternoon at your destination.

Use Carry On – even if you have to check a bag, always take carry on and always make sure you have everything you need in your carry on for at least one days worth. If they lose your bag or it is late, you can still complete your schedule without having to wear the same things for twos days in a row and you have your toiletries with you.

Do not use energy Drinks – they can keep you up at night and make adapting to a new time zone more difficult .

Plan your trip – avoid leaving everything to the last minute. Make sure your schedule is well planned and all reservations that are needed are finalized. There is nothing that wastes time more than scrambling to get ready for a trip.

Emergencies – will occur and our motto is as long as we have our passports, money  and tickets, we can usually adapt and / or replace whatever we need.

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Tonight we are staying at the Drury Inn Springfield Missouri,. If you’re not familiar with the Drury Inns, they are a very nice hotel chain. They are mainly in the southwest and northeast of the United States. They offer normally fantastic prices for a hotel room In addition they also offer a hot breakfast. The best feature is the kickback hour or happy hour in the evening.

This includes three drinks beer, wine, and liquor plus a hot bar food that includes chicken fingers, pasta, potatoes, chips, popcorn, soup, and salad.

Drury Inn Springfield Missouri – Price

All of this for a price that is less than the normal price that you would pay at a Hampton Inn, or the Holiday Inn express. We strongly recommend that you look at the Drury Inn this as an alternative for your travel reservations. You can save the price of a dinner meal just in the hotel room reservation. Enjoy their kickback hour and enjoying a few drinks.

If you really do not want to eat at the Drury Inn, they seem to always have a local bar next door. It is usually one of the chain bars / restaurants. You can get a decent meal in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Have you ever used the valet parking services at hotels or other venues that offer such services? Many people have and most are more than satisfied with the service. You have the convenience of not having to find a place to park your car. Or deal with the weather if it is out door parking. Also the cold if it happens to be winter time. We have used these services quite a few times and usually were satisfied with the service. We would tip $5 for the service and felt that our car would be parked in a safe place. It would be returned to us in the same condition that we found it in.

In every case but one it came back in exactly the same condition. In the one instance that it did not, we feel that it was no fault of the parking attendant. However we really cannot be sure. We will discuss each of these instances which has led us to never allow valet parking attendants to park our car ever again.

Valet Parking – Experience

The first instance actually did not involve our car at all. We were waiting for our car to be brought up to us so that we could leave the place we had spent an nice evening at. As we watched other cars being delivered to other people we noticed that the attendants would bring the cars up from underground, turn left and then have to drive about a 1000 feet to where everyone was standing. We watched them rev the engine and roar up to the pickup point. Much too fast in our opinion to be actually unsafe and they were revving an engine that was still cold. Not the way I want my car to be treated.

Another situation that we encountered involved our car being dropped off at a major hotel. We assumed that it would be stored in covered garage which was protected and inspected from a security perspective. They drove it to an open parking lot and left it unprotected in any way. Now the car would not start the next morning due to mechanical problems, which we subsequently resolved, however I wonder how a perfectly good car could suddenly develop mechanical problems!

New Orleans Valet Service

The last example was in New Orleans and I really did not have a choice as to using valet. There was no self parking nearby. The car came back to us in one piece, no damage and everything that was in the car was still there. The service was definitely worth it in this case. What I am objecting to was that the attendant was well over 300 pounds and I was worried whether my seats in my car would sag due to the weight.

In all cases, these three above and those that we have not discussed, we had to wait a long time to get our car. It was busy, but then I really do not want to wait 30 minutes in one case to get a car that I could have just parked myself and got to it in five minutes. So I really do not want to tip valet parking attendants for poor service.

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Tesla Roadster seen in Palm Springs , owned by a Canadian who plans to drive it back to Vancouver. It requires a charge every 245 miles and does 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds! This is one of the hottest most talked about cars available and Tesla stock is also skyrocketing. I was able to see this car and talk to the owner. Who needless to say was very proud of his car. It is a very hot looking car. This car has all of the luxuries and form fit that you would expect of a car costing $245,000!

Tesla Roadster – Charging

The owner admitted that it is a great car for commuting every day and has more than enough battery power to handle almost all commuting needs. He has some concern about driving it to Vancouver from California and is planning his trip around recharging stations and locations where he can plug-in and top up his batteries.

More and more charging stations are being added every month so this problem will gradually be eliminated. In addition instead of sitting around for a couple of hours while the battery is charged, there is another solution. Tesla batteries can be swapped out in a matter of minutes. You can be on your way in much the same time as it would take to fill up a normal car with gas.

We sincerely hope that this is the way of the future and that these cars eventually come in a cheaper version that the average consumer can afford.

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Tipping Valet Parking attendants has always been problematic for me. How much to charge and whether I should even use them. We have had some less than satisfactory service over the years. Now unless I have no choice I refuse to give my car up to the valet attendant.  We will discuss some of these issues in a moment. But back to the main topic, tipping valet parking attendants and how much you should give them. I have been typically tipping $5 each time I use valet parking. Some people may offer more and the attendants will certainly take it. But why should you tip these guys at all and will you get good service.

Some people feel that you should tip up front to make sure that you get good service and they take care of your car when they park your car. Others feel that since they pool the tips you are better off to tip when the car comes back in one piece and they open the doors and help you with your suitcases. Still other groups feel that since they are on a minimum wage and make all of their income from tips that you should feel sorry for them and tip them more than you might otherwise.

Tipping Valet Parking – Poor Service

I have had valet parking attendants roar up to the drop off point gunning the engine and while helping with the bags having their hands out for the tip. It is almost as if they don’t want to give you your keys back until they get their tip. Now I have never had any obvious damage done to my car and it is usually delivered in a reasonable amount of time. But I am totally turned off when they drive my car too fast in an almost out of control situation. Take care of my car and treat it with respect!

Based on this sort of activity I am very reluctant to ever give up my car to an attendant. I have an average car, but it is my car and I bought and paid for it. I do not want anyone to damage it. Can you imagine what they would do if it was a hot expensive car. Some of these guys would take it for a joy ride for sure.

The other thing that bugs me is taking a really long time to deliver my car. Sure it depends on how busy they are, but I could have probably gone and got it myself in less time that what some of these guys can get it for. I also want the parking lot to be covered and my car protected from the elements. It should be secure and regular security patrols should be in place. One time my car was parked in an open parking lot along with everyone else’s cars. What am I paying for? I can do that myself for free and I will get some exercise walking into the hotel.

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The Aquarius hotel has leased space to McDonald’s and Subway to serve people staying at the Aquarius Hotel or just visiting the casino.  Both have installed signs that say they do not share eating space and yet they are part of the hotel! Unfriendly notes tell you where you can sit to eat your food. How unprofessional is that? We ignored the signs and sat where we wanted to and no one really bothered us.

Aquarius McDonald’s Subway – Hotel Management

We spoke to the hotel management. They blame it on headquarters negotiating a lease that focuses on maximizing the lease income per square foot. As a result, the comfort and enjoyment of their guests are jeopardized. Seems to me local management should have more control and establish a common area where anyone can sit down and enjoy the food they have purchased at either fast food outlet. This is just an irritant to guests and visitors of the hotel.

In addition, the space for patrons of Subway to eat their sandwiches, and subs, is a long table that faces a wall. How unattractive is that? This is very bad customer treatment by the hotel and also by the fast food outlets.

WiFi

Also at the time of writing this post, the WiFi did not work well in Mcdonald’s which is known for providing free WiFi. The hotel still provided free WiFi but this was the service provided by Starbucks which is no longer there. They are turning that space into a restaurant or deli or something like that. We are not sure if the WiFi will continue to operate or not. Next time we visit the Aquarius in Laughlin, we will see what the service is like and update this post for our readers.

The Bellagio Water Show – Las Vegas is shown many times a day, however it is especially beautiful at night with the water, lights and music. During the day, the show is scheduled every 30 minutes starting in the afternoon. They play really great music and the fountains perform to the beat of the music. In the mornings the system is not operated and any maintenance is completed at that time. Even the maintenance is interesting since the crew is out on the lake in boats and scuba gear, checking on everything and replacing any equipment that needs repair.

Bellagio Fountains

In the evening they add lights to the show which really makes it spectacular. There will be literally thousands of people strolling along the tree lined street and standing watching the water show at the Bellagio. We took a hundred pictures and only have these two up to show since they were really the best ones that turned out. You have to catch the fountains at just the right moment.

The Bellagio was built by Steve Wynn who then sold it to the MGM group. He built the Wynn hotel down the street. These are by far the two nicest hotels in Las Vegas. Even if you are not staying at the Bellagio, it is definitely worth a walk to see them. The fountains, the indoor gardens and the pool area are truly spectacular and worth the visit. These hotels are by far the best in North America in terms of being spectacular and entertaining.  When you think about how they were created out of the desert, it is truly spectacular to see. The Bellagio on the former Dunes hotel site and the Wynn on another former hotel site that we do not recall.

These two are well worth the time it takes to walk to them and view. It is all free, there is no need to spend any money. Although of course they would like you to visit one of their dining rooms or try the casino. But that is entirely up to the tourist in Las Vegas.

This picture is of the Venetian at Night in Las Vegas. You can watch people take gondola rides on the Venetian canals. They are outside as well as inside the hotel on the second level in the shopping area. There are lots to do at the Venetian. With two casinos, a shopping concourse between them, and a major shopping and restaurant area upstairs on the second level. There is also a Madame Tussaud’s wax museum to check out. This is a large complex with something over 6000 rooms. This takes into account the two towers that each house over 3000 rooms.

Venetian at Night – Attending Conferences

One of the attractions for visitors to Las Vegas is conferences and the Venetian is attached to the giant Sands Convention center. If you stay at the Venetian, hotel convention attendees can walk through the hotel and the concourse to get to their conference. This is a huge convention venue and most of the really large conventions are held here. Book early if you plan to attend one of these conventions and want to avoid taking taxis every day or renting a car.

The Venetian is located in the central strip area and is conveniently located close to the shopping center if you need to pick up a few things. There are at least five other large casinos either across the street or next door to the Venetian. This is one of the better places to stay both from a location perspective as well as a venue perspective.

There is always something to do in Las Vegas and one of them is to enjoy one of the many fine restaurants. Dine in one of the outdoor restaurants along the strip. The Venetian at Night provides a wonderful backdrop to the strip where you can dine on a really nice meal and at the same time watch the throngs of people go by. Even if you do not play the slots or the tables, there is a lot to take in when you come to Las Vegas.

This picture is the Mirage Casino Waterfalls – Las Vegas . A beautiful scene at the front of the hotel along the Las Vegas strip. This volcanic waterfall and tropical garden extends for an entire city block in front of the Mirage casino and is a great place for many people to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. At night, weather permitting, the volcano erupts spewing flames over 100 feet into the air in front of the hotel and thousands of people gather to watch this fantastic display. The heat from the volcano can be felt from across the street which gives it a sense of realism you may not receive from other displays.

Mirage Casino Waterfalls – Volcano

If you cannot visit a real volcano on a tropical island somewhere, go to Las Vegas. Visit the Mirage Casino and hotel to see a scaled down version of the same thing. Continuing with the theme, there is an aquarium that extends for the entire check in counter full of fish. This aquarium is so large that divers put on wet suits to get into the aquarium to clean it. They look after the many species of fish that exist in the aquarium.

The Mirage Casino and hotel is certainly a place to visit if you are just passing through or to stay at. Guests of the hotel can enjoy a wonderful pool with waterfalls and slides and a pool side restaurant. We try to have breakfast there at least once each time we visit.

These mountain waterfalls at the front of the Wynn  Hotel in Las Vegas hotel provide a beautiful backdrop for many pictures. These Wynn waterfalls also extend around the mountain. They provide beautiful restaurant settings for diners at the Wynn hotel and casino. Imagine sitting beside a quiet pool of water with a small mountain in the distance. A waterfall cascades down the side of the mountain into a lake while you enjoy your dinner in a fine dining restaurant with your partner. You can do this at the Wynn Hotel and also be entertained at the same time. This was one of the most memorable evenings we spent in Las Vegas!

Restaurants at the Wynn

The restaurant I  am describing is located just off the lobby downstairs actually under the lobby area. One night my wife and I had a really fantastic dinner in just such a setting with entertainment as well. The mountain lake was lit up with various shimmering colors. A mermaid came up out of the water along with multi-colored shimmering balls to entertain us. It was truly mesmerizing. This was included with our meal and provided lots of conversation topics while we enjoyed dinner. Every hotel updates its restaurants and overall decor from time to time, so it may have changed since we were there. Check the hotel’s main site for updates.

If you have not visited the Wynn, I suggest you do so even if it is just to take pictures and take in the scenery at the hotel and the casino. Don’t forget the championship golf course at the back of the hotel as well. The 19th hole is a spectacular bar that you just have to visit even if it is just to look. Everything about the hotel speaks elegance!

Casinos have pretty much entered every state and province in North America. The only places where there are not casinos at this time are the states of Utah and Texas. We believe that every other state in the US now has casinos of some size. They vary a great deal in terms of size. Hotels are attached to  nearby  amenities. They are offered as part of the package. Most are run by local state or provincial governments or Indian bands. There are a few locations such as Las Vegas, Laughlin, Biloxi and Atlantic city where there are concentrations of casinos.

Major Locations

The major casino locations are as follows based on numbers of casinos operating in close proximity:

• Las Vegas, NV
• Tunica, MS
• Atlantic City, NJ
• Laughlin, NV
• Biloxi, MS
• Detroit, MI and Windsor, Canada
• Niagara Falls, Canada and the State of New York

All other casino locations are single casinos or perhaps with two or three casinos in the general area.  Some states and provinces will actually have many casinos such as Ontario, Canada.  There is only one casino per city. Most government run casinos are not very competitive. They are not interested in introducing competition into a city.

The list of casino locations above, are the mega places that attract gamblers from across the country every year. Las Vegas, Tunica, Atlantic City and Laughlin have concentrations of casinos that allow patrons to walk from casino to casino. Biloxi, Detroit, Windsor and Niagara Falls require patrons to get into their cars to get from one casino to another. Detroit – Windsor and Niagara falls require patrons to actually have to cross the border. This is is not very interesting for many gamblers.

Casino Locations – Las Vegas

Las Vegas is by far the mega gambling power house with over 100,000 hotel rooms available. Many millions of customers coming to the city every year to see excellent shows, partake in excellent dining and gamble. Atlantic city until recently was another hot spot with many people coming to the area. They enjoy the beaches as well as gamble and enjoy the fine dining and entertainment. The recent mega storm that went through the area caused a lot of damage. It will take them a few years to repair all of the damage.

Laughlin is along the Colorado River in southern Nevada and has about 10 casinos. It is one of the nicest casino locations. You can relax, enjoy gambling and fine dining with mid range entertainment. There are also several casinos that require patrons to get into their cars to drive to.

Biloxi used to have many small casinos; however it is still recovering from hurricane Katrina. They are now operating. This is a great place to enjoy the beaches . Also the sun along the cost of the Golf of Mexico in the state of Mississippi.

Windsor and Detroit have competing casinos now with several on the Detroit side. They are really stand alone casinos. We included them as a cluster due to their proximity.

For more information about casinos around the continent, refer to our directory. Select the location you are interested in for a list of casinos, their size, hotel and restaurant information.

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Steve Wynn started with the Mirage, then designed the Bellagio, and then moved on to the Wynn casino and hotel! On the way, he also added the Treasure island hotel which is now called TI. He sold them all to MGM and used the money he gained from the sale to build the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas. Also to fund the construction of hotels in Asia. Whatever Steve Wynn is involved in, you know that it is going to be elegant and top-notch in just about everything. He is an admitted perfectionist. It shows in everything he does. He is said to be a taskmaster but then he does deliver results. He has the imagination to deliver something that attracts tourists from all over the world to his hotels and casinos.

Wynn Casino Gardens – Great for Pictures

The Wynn hotel is the ultimate in sophistication and beauty. Just take a look at this picture of the gardens just off the casino floor! What a beautiful scene! Many people pose for pictures every day in this area. At the end of this walkway, there is a nice quiet bar you can enjoy. While meeting friends or business associates. All of the bars are a bit pricey. But if you have to ask about the price you probably cannot afford the price of the drinks.

We have even seen several movie sets to set up in this area of the casino floor. Visitors get a chance to see just how long it takes to get a shot. How many takes and practice shots are needed and best of all you sometimes get to see your favorite actors. This is also a great area to people-watch. From other tourists to sometimes very famous people. They are interesting to watch as they stroll by or play at a slot machine.

At the very least when you are in Vegas, whether you are staying at the Wynn hotel or not, take the time to tour the property. You will not be disappointed.

I have friends who actually brag about how expensive some of their trips are and we believe that they are paying the highest prices for all of their travel plans. We just do not understand why someone would not ask for a discount or actively seek out travel discounts. Some people think that you only get what you pay for and this can be true in many situations, however when it comes to travel, you need to be very careful how much you are paying and what you are receiving in return even if you are paying for a trip that is really expensive.

Our motto is that if you do not ask, you will never get a discount. The worst that can happen is that they say no we will not discount your trip, your hotel reservation etc any further. But many times they will offer 10% or even more off the cost and 10% is far better in my pocket than someone else’s!  Always ask and if they will not offer you anything further then you can decide to accept their initial offer or move on and try another location.

Recently a friend of ours followed this approach on a cruise they had recently booked. They had reserved the cruise about 3 months ago and noticed that prices for the same cruise, room etc had declined. They called and asked their travel agent to follow up. Unfortunately they had to be a little bit pushy with the agent. She did not want to waste her time. Besides the commission would be smaller as well, plus she has to do more paperwork for nothing.

My friend saved $1500 on a two week week trip on a cruise from fort Lauder-dale to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal, Talk about discounts and savings!

Travel Discounts – Always ask

We stay in hotels a great deal and they are by far the best at offering discounts. If you do not get a seniors discount, AAA discounts, group discounts,  a corporate discount etc, then you are paying too much for your hotel room. Always ask for these discounts, the worst they can say is we do not offer any discounts. Compare prices and know what your market should be charging for the travel service that you are receiving. A good example is as follows.

We were checking into a hotel one night with no reservation and were quoted a price $50 higher than what we had previously paid at this hotel and this new price was at least $50 higher than this chain usually charges. Turns out that there was a festival going on and they felt they could charge more due to the increased business. This is perfectly legitimate, but we did not want to pay this higher fee, so we asked if we could use their phone. I called the central reservations number of this chain with the idea of finding another hotel in the same area at a better price.

Imagine my surprise when they quoted me the regular price for the hotel I was standing in at the lower price less discounts for senior rate and triple A. I immediately asked for a reservation and went back to the front desk and checked in. The manager was a little upset, but there was nothing he could do.

Always ask for travel discounts and be prepared to shop around. You will be amazed at how much money you will be able to save!

For more travel related discounts and savings, click here.

There are many casino bonus plans available from almost all casinos including even the online casinos, however, not all are the same, and not all are as lucrative. If you are a gambler and not taking advantage of these bonuses, then you are leaving behind a major part of your winnings. Everything from free shows, free meals at many restaurants in casinos, and free rooms at these casinos. When rooms are going for $100 to $400 a night and you are receiving the room for free, this is equivalent to winning a small jackpot.

But we really need to emphasize at this point that gamblers must always be in control and never lose more than what they can afford. The promise of free stuff is just something to make you gamble more and everyone must be careful.

There are major gambling chains and there are major gambling cities such as Las Vegas. We will review these Mecca in North America in general detail and refer you to other posts that provide more detailed information on each of the cities along with the hotels. We will also go into more detail about the slot cards and the entire comp process that the casinos use to entice you to come to their hotels and casinos. They all do it, but some are better than others.

Major Gambling Mecca’s – Casino Bonuses

Almost every state and province in the US and Canada have casinos. In fact, all major cities have one or more casinos close by. This has become huge money-raising opportunity for many cities and state governments, so much so that they continue to build casinos across North America. There are several rather large private companies that run casinos across the country and quite a few more that run individual or small groups of casinos in several cities.

The remainder is run by local Indian tribes and governments to raise money to fund a variety of local initiatives. In general, we have found that government-run casinos do not pay as well as private companies do when you combine payouts and comp’s provided by the various casinos taking into account their market value. The major cities with groups of casinos in order of popularity are Las Vegas, Atlantic city, Tunica, Biloxi, and Laughlin.

Las Vegas –

with over 120,000 rooms and at least 25 to 40 casinos, this is the top city in the nation to visit for a good time. Every year millions of people come to Las Vegas for a vacation, to see a show, go out for a fabulous meal, visit the night clubs, and of course gamble. There are lots to do in Las Vegas from dining at fabulous restaurants, taking in shows that are the best in the country, viewing the décor at any of the major casinos, spending time at the pool or the golf course, and of course gambling at any of the casinos.

In our opinion, the best places to stay are the Bellagio, Caesars, the Mirage, Treasure Island, Wynn, Palazzo or the Venation, or even the Flamingo. These hotels are all very large and offer rooms at a variety of prices. We have picked these hotels because of their location and proximity to each other along with their central location.

Attending Conferences

We suggest that you select hotels to stay at based on where your conference is being held as well as any comp’s that you may be receiving. You may also want to visit down town Las Vegas and see the Fremont Experience. It is a street blocked off from vehicles with a light show on a glassed-in ceiling in the evenings and numerous entertainers that are all free to listen too.

If you gamble, always make sure you are using a slot card for the slots and identify yourself to the pit boss if you are playing the tables for any length of time. This will ensure that you receive all possible comp’s that you may be eligible for.

Las Vegas is within 5 hour’s driving time of Los Angeles and Phoenix and many other smaller cities. They have a major airport that millions of people fly into every year to visit Las Vegas. This is the ultimate place to go if you are looking for an exhilarating over top place to spend a few days of your vacation time.

Atlantic City – Casino Bonuses

Atlantic City boardwalk casinos are located along the ocean. There is a great boardwalk to stroll along and also great beaches to spend your time at. During the summer time, this is a wonderful place to go to. There are roughly 10 casinos along the boardwalk with another 3 or 4 located several miles away near the marina. There are shuttles that run back and to the beach areas and the casinos located along the boardwalk.

Most of the major chain casinos are represented here so you can use your slot card to book rooms and to gain free comp’s during your casino play. The casinos are older and the hotels are a bit more tired looking than what you will find in Vegas, however many are gradually updating both the hotels and casinos.

Condo’s

There are also condos along the ocean and many restaurants along the boardwalk. This is a beach town and most people go for the summer time beach time in June through September. During other times of the year, most people are going to the casinos and or attend conferences at the hotels.

Atlantic City is less than 2 hours from major population centers such as New York, new Jersey, Philly, and other major centers. If you are driving, be prepared to pay a lot in the form of tolls and parking fees.

Atlantic city has seen many upgrades over the years. Just two blocks off the boardwalk it used to be very unsafe and almost slum-like. Now they have spent a great deal of money to improve the area. There are over 200 outlet stores now in the down town area near Caesars and Bally’s hotels.

Tunica

Tunica is located just south of Memphis and there are approximately 10 casinos spread out over a rather large area. You will need a car to get between them with the exception of the Goldstrike, the Horseshoe, and the Roadhouse Casino and Hotel. They are affiliated with MGM and Harrahs respectively. Patrons can easily walk between these three hotels.

We have been to Tunica many times and found that while enjoyable for gambling and meals, there is little to do in the immediate area. Golf, shows and entertainment in Memphis are among the things to do while visiting tunica.

Biloxi

Biloxi is located roughly an hour by car east of New Orleans on the golf coast. Prior to hurricane Katrina, there were quite a few casinos operating in the area. Today there are probably 4 o5 with the Beau Rivage being the flagship and the nicest casino – hotel in the area. It is located right on the coast, is very modern, and is on par with many Vegas hotels although not as large in terms of a number of rooms.

If you are staying at the Beau Rivage, ask for a room looking out on the golf for some of the best views around. We have not stayed at any of the other hotels in the area, although we have visited the Hardrock hotel and Casino. It is brand new and I am sure a very nice place to stay at as well. Biloxi is a resort town with many condo’s and shopping, however you will need a car to get to many of these locations.

All Other States

Virtually all other states with the possible exceptions of Utah, Texas, and Alaska have casinos. These are typically run by Indian Bands or by the State government. They are all designed to try to capture some of the gambling revenue in their state instead of clients going to one of the major gambling areas such as Vegas or across the state line to a neighboring state. As such although enjoyable, we have a general feeling that they are not as competitive in terms of payouts from their tables and slots as well as the comps are not nearly as lucrative.

Millions of people who cannot afford to travel go to these casinos every day and have a very enjoyable time. Again always join the slot club and get as many comps while you are playing as possible. Something is always better than nothing.

Canadian Casinos

Most provinces in Canada also have casinos. Unfortunately, most are run by the government and frankly, they just do not measure up to their US counterparts. They are interesting places to go to and some even have top-notch hotels to visit as well. However, as far as comps and payouts, they do not measure up. The possible exceptions are those Canadian casinos in Niagara Falls and Windsor where they must compete with American casinos located just across the border. They tend to be more competitive offering free rooms and meals to entice customers to return to their premises.

Canada has followed the US example of having casinos close to population centers to grab a portion of the gambling dollars that clients are willing to spend. Many are associated with race tracks and other venues and sold to the general population as a means to raise money for local sports, health and to defray tax increases.

Major Gambling Chains

There are several major companies that offer significant advantages to their customers. This includes being able to visit casinos in many different cities and vacation spots and take advantage of their comps at any of these locations. We will only discuss Harrahs and MGM, although there are others that may encompass two to maybe 10 casinos in their group.

Harrahs – has casinos all over the US and several in Canada as well. Most have hotels attached to the casino and patrons of Harrahs using their slot cards can receive free rooms and meals at any of these hotels depending on their play. The majority of their properties are in the major centers we have already discussed along with many smaller centers as well.

MGM – works, in the same manner, has Harrahs in that they have multiple properties scattered around the US and around the world.

How Slot Cards Work – Casino Bonuses

Slot cards are totally free. They are used to identify you when you are playing at the tables or playing at a slot machine. The casino can then tell how often you play, how long you have played, and how much money you have played. With this information, rewards are given in terms of comps such as free meals, free rooms, and free play which can be used at the slot machines. There is no value attached to these slot cards other than the comps you may be entitled too. Basic information such as your name, address, driver’s license number, and email is all that is required to get set up. Offers can be sent to you by email or by regular mail.

Benefits of Slot Cards

The major benefit of a slot card is the comp’s that you receive from the casino. These include meals, rooms and free play. Many hotels will offer 2 or 3 nights free as an attraction. They get their clients to say at their hotels and into their casinos. They may also offer free meals with that or you earn comp $ towards meals during your stay.

A free room for 2 or 3 nights could be worth up to $300 for a regular room. Much more if you are considered a high roller. This is as good as winning a small jackpot. It is definitely worth the effort of signing up and using your slot card when you are playing.

In addition, always charge your meals, etc to your room. Before you check out, drop by the slot host to see what they might write off for you. All you do is drop into their office. Ask to speak to a slot host. Hand them your slot card. They will ask for your room number and then they will review your play and the expenses that you charged to your room. At this point, they will either write some of these expenses off. Or they will tell you that you perhaps did not play enough for them to comp you for your expenses.

On some trips, we have received free rooms and have not been given anything for our meals charged to our room. On others we have played a lot, won some and lost some, they write everything off including the meals. A nice little surprise!

How to Get The Most From Your Slot Card

Always play with your slot card inserted into the machine you are playing. They track you based on time playing, amount of money bet, and amount of money bet per hour. Whether you are playing penny machines or $25 machines, always use your slot card.

At some casinos they have surprise awards for only their slot players. This is another reason why you always have a slot card inserted. We have had slot staff come over to us with free meals. We have been awarded $750 on a surprise slot award when we have been playing. Not all casinos do this and some only do this sort of thing on special days.

The casinos will also send you special deals either in the mail or by email. These can be great deals for everyone with a combination of free rooms, free meals, and free play being awarded.

Your Slot Host

If you play a lot, get to know your slot host. It is always a good idea to be on good terms with these people. When you are on the edge of getting a free comp, they might just award you the comp because they know you are a regular!

Call Your Slot Host for Your Reservation

Same thing with reservations. Always call the slot host office for reservations. They can get you better rooms and better prices including free rooms. If you go through central reservations, you are going to pay for your room and you may miss a free comp.

Charge Everything to Your Room

As we mentioned earlier, charge all of your meals, etc to your room. Then see the slot host before you leave. If you do not charge your expenses to the room, the slot host has no way of verifying what you spent. They cannot give you any comps.

Before You Check Out

See the slot host always before you check out. As we already mentioned they will review your slot play or table play and then comp you as much as they can be based on their casino’s guidelines. Just say thank you regardless of what they comp even if they cannot give you anything. There is always a next time.

Casinos to Avoid From a Slot Card Benefit Perspective

The worst casinos to avoid as far as slot card benefits are concerned are all of the single casinos run by any government. We find that these are by far the worst. Since they usually are single casinos serving a single area or city and have no competition. Government-run casinos are the worst and we do not spend our money in these casinos.

At the Village Pub Palm Springs, the beer is cheap during happy hour, $2.00 for draft beer all day long, except after 7pm on most nights when it gets busy unless you go upstairs to the bar. The atmosphere is also ok with subdued lights, fire pits and heaters to keep you warm outdoors on cool evenings. Yes, it can get quite cool in the desert.

You may need to actually dress warmer in the winter time. This location has existed in Palm Springs for many years and always seems to be busy with people dropping in all the time for a beer and something to eat. It is located at the extreme south end of the downtown core of Palm Springs. In fact it is the last major pub on the street and I guess that is why it has to compete a little harder for customers, but the deals are well worth it.

Village Pub Palm Springs – Menu Items

Some items are ok, but then again it depends on the chef that evening. The nacho’s are not good at all and are priced way too high at $8.00. Little cheese, few jalapenos and not many olives. Stay away from this item on the menu!

The Atmosphere is pretty good, with heaters to keep you warm if you are sitting outside on their open air patio. The service is not bad either, about what you might expect for a pub. It gets pretty busy around happy hour, so if you want a table outside, you will have to get there early!

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This topic, tips for restaurant servers, is a really contentious topic. Most people leave tips at restaurants and many leave the standard 15% whether they are happy with the service or the food. They just do not want the hassle of dealing with a server who might show their annoyance because of a low tip. We know people in the industry and they are adamant that you should always leave a tip regardless. The servers rely on this income since they receive minimum wage or no wage at all. Tips can be a huge source of income for these people. The unfortunate thing is that some of these servers, especially the younger ones feel that they are entitled to a large tip regardless of the level of service they provide.

Tips for Restaurant Servers – An Example of Excellent Service

Here is an example of what we mean by really good service. You go to a coffee shop and the server fills your coffee mug and servers it to you at the cash. Should you provide them with a tip when they just did their job and did nothing special? At another coffee shop the server takes a mug, fills it with hot water to warm up the cup, pours the water out and then fills the mug with hot coffee. Should you tip this person? We think that they are very deserving of a tip, much more so than the first server. We always tip the second server and never the first because they also do not even acknowledge their customers, nor do they say thank you ever. Our excellent server will also bring us our coffee to the table if she happens to be busy as well.

Some might argue that if we tipped we might get better service in our example above. In some cases we would but at most coffee shops they are just kids who do not know the first thing about service.

Guidelines for Tipping for Restaurant Servers

We suggest that the following guidelines might be used to help people decide if they should tip and how much. Start with the standard of 15% and if they measure up in terms of service, timeliness of food delivery, attention to your order, follow up in a timely manner to ensure that you have everything to enjoy your meal and provide friendly service they should receive the standard 15% tip.

If you have to wait a long time for your drinks, the food is served cold, they mix the orders up or they are very unfriendly, well I would really consider a much lower tip depending on how poor the service actually was. If they are able to do something special which please your group and is appreciated, then why not tip them more. You might even provide a large tip if you feel that they deserve such a large tip.

Would You Leave a Zero Tip

Not too many people will leave a zero tip. They just do not want to risk the confrontation or potential confrontation. However the service industry needs to understand that they are on the job to provide good friendly service. I believe that we as patrons should treat them in a professional manner. If the service is not great, I think that we should let them know verbally in a nice way and that they still will receive a tip, but a little less than 15%. In the future if the service has not improved, then this is the time to reduce the tip even further.

I always tip the lady that serves me a coffee in a mug that has been pre-warmed with hot water. She is only serving coffee. But she makes sure that her customer receives really great service and a hot cup of coffee every time. That deserves a tip in my mind.

In Canada, there are a lot of people who are in their teens working in the service industry. They are too young to understand what it means to provide great service vs. average service. In the US, I have found in our travels more older people who have made it their profession and take providing good service seriously. They understand that good service directly impacts their incomes and they generally provide great service.

That’s my opinion, let me know if you agree or disagree about tips for restaurant servers. For more thoughts on tipping, click here.

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