Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

[dewey089]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Odd that the workers are so worried. The marketers must know a bit of what they are doing. I tip $5 for the four free drinks so that is the same for the bartender. Perhaps others do not.
I have noticed at times that it takes a good while to get served at the bar, but then I often have a good while if there with friends waiting for a table.
I will be using my 4 drink coupon this trip I think as my wife is coming along this time for a week. Some years it goes unused.

[mattbob77]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

I've been to Ellis Island my last few Vegas trips and used the ACG coupons every time. The only time I've gotten any grief was when a male bartender got mad at me and my party for using the 4 free drinks coupon. He threatened to cut off use, but what may have set him off was when I asked if I could have the drinks in a plastic cup ("We don't sell drinks to go!"). The guy at Metro Pizza gave me a free large paper cup to dump my drinks in (he was even reluctant to take a tip; a first for me in Vegas!)

In my defense, we had already eaten dinner there and played craps for awhile, so we weren't taking unfair advantage (though there's no way the bartender knew this; as usual, the bar was understaffed and he was very busy).

But the other bartenders are always cooperative (though harried). I just wish they had a full time craps table. One dealer told me they didn't usually open a table until 4 PM.

Hey Dewey....were you the guy at the EI bar in April that that complimented me on my coupon-tearing skills? I didn't realize I was talking to a celebrity!

[dewey089]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

And your report really hits the nail on the head. The casino wants us to come with the coupon and give them some play, so anything that looks like we are taking advantage can rile dealer or pit folks.
I have not had trouble, however, taking the four free drinks in to the restaurant to enjoy the steak or 2 for 1 menu special. You can't use the coupon with the restaurant server. The red wine goes well with the steak special.
Now, that being said, I generally buy the drinks with the coupon ready and a five dollar bill tip ready as well. It is overtipping, but just what I do. They are always busy, but generally I am waiting for my table anyway.
For the matchplay I just take the entire coupon book because I do it when I stay at the Super 8 (no resort fee and more free amenities than any resort fee hotel advertises as coming with their hidden charge)
Eating solo, it gives me a chance to plan my next coupon deal or read through places other than Vegas to gamble.


Earlier trouble was around using a hit and run blackjack coupon with on pit fella in particular named Pete.
I think that is over.

Last time my ID was hidden somewhere in the recesses of my wallet, and it took me a while to find it. Finally, the brush said, "You have looked for it long enough, I believe you."
I passed my book down to the other blackjack players so they could look at it, and he thought I was giving it to them rather than just showing them so they would buy one.
"On your way out?" he asked.
And here was my opportunity.
"No, I have quite a few more nights left next door at the Super 8,but blackjack is not my game. I come for the video poker.
Translated that means, "I am the kind of customer you want"

I don't think I was at the bar at all as this was a solo trip, and I did not use the 4 drink coupon. I got a free beer I think playing VP. I'll use it in November when I eat steak with wife or friends.
In fact, now that I think about it, it could not have been me because I had just worked out a way to break off the flat end of a throwaway razor, leaving some plastic as handle, and store it in the binding of the book for very easy cutting out of coupons. I would have showed you that had we had that conversation.

By the way, I did have the prime rib there in April on the 50% off menu coupon and was very satisfied. I saw it reviewed this week somewhere in some trip report as better than the SouthPoint deal that is being touted just now as deal of the month. I have not tried that SP one.

[lee]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

$6.99 off menu steak dinner special


No, the 2/1 coupon only applies to MENU ITEMS !!!
That may be written ON the coupon.

[Morpheus72]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Earlier trouble was around using a hit and run blackjack coupon with on pit fella in particular named Pete.

Haha, Sweaty Pete...yeah, he's a legend. My girlfriend said that it was a good thing she didn't have one more EI beer, because she was thinking of offering to kiss him, just to see what he'd say. His glasses alone probably act as sufficient birth-control.

See you on the 2nd, Dewey

Dave

[dewey089]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

I'm ready Dave. More than ready. Hope my theory that conventions bring out soft low limit poker tables holds up. See ya.

[bella54330]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

FYI- Bought the 2011 ACG (off point-this will be my last year purchasing as I feel that the book has gotten thinner and the quality/value of coupons have dropped) at the Gamblers Book Store (or similar name) while in Vegas earlier this week.
Headed over to EI to use my BOGO free dinner coupon (yum!) and the new $10 in FREE slot play when you play $20 through a machine. I was told that they aren't "equipped" to accept this coupon yet, and don't know when they will be. Their system is set up to accept ONLY last years coupon. Stinks cause it was one of only 3 that I'll use from this book.
Thought others may like to know before they schlep on over to EI.

[jimc]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Is the Ellis Island system working now for the 2011 book?

[SteveBourieOLD]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

There are no problems with any of the Ellis Island coupons for the 2011 American Casino Guide.

[Ben Jammin]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Casinos don't like mooches. Can you blame them? Go in and ask for your 4 free drinks to go?

Then raise a stink when they wont give you the coupon deal on the steak special? It's $6.99 and comes with a pint of beer. The coupon special clearly says entrees, not specials.

I have had it accepted for the daily specials like blackened sea bass and the like.

You can also pay the difference with your points. They make that very easy, it's handled at the register for you.

But first, you have to play some to get them. OMG, what a concept!
WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE?

[dewey089]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

The steak special is now up to $7.95.
Say, review that sea bass for us. Was it good?

[jimc]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Glad to hear there are no problems with the Ellis 2011 coups. Thanks Steve

[vegasvette]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

In early April, I had no trouble using ACG coupon at Ellis Island. I used 2:1 food as well as $10 freeplay after playing $10. Everything was seamless.

[jgr789]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Is this post really from 2009?

[dewey089]

Re: Ellis Island casino not accepting ACG coupons

Is this post really from 2009?

The thread started then, but has been resurrected a few times. Dates of posts are indicated at the top of each, and you can see that the discussion has continued on and off since the initial difficulty.
This might remind casinos that couponers have long memories. Done right, the coupons attract us and we come back years later even with no coupons because we like the place.
Difficulties using coupons can raise anxieties for years afterward.
It seems counterproductive for a casino to attract us with a coupon and then treat us badly when we use it the way it was advertised. Certainly unexpected issues may arise at times, and the casino has the right to alter any promo, but to bait us into coming, and then switch the rules when we get there, just warps the promotion into demotion.
I am happy this Ellis Island issue seems to have resolved in 2011. The question is asked often perhaps because the Ellis Island coupons are such good deals there. The entire casino is a great bargain. For inexpensive food near the strip this is an ideal place.
And while there are some of us who frugally hit and run using coupons, I personally brought three people with their ACG coupons to play blackjack at Ellis Island and when they won on the coupon, they thought it must mean they were going to have a lucky night and they played for over an hour.
The remedy for coupon abuse by locals is very simple and an easy fix for the casino. Have the Player's Club validate each time the coupon is used, and attach a computer note to the Player's Card and then limit use to whatever time period seems reasonable.
Gold Coast has started that this year. I think they are too strict in just allowing one coupon a year. One every three or six months might seem better. I'll make an effort to go for breakfast and earn 200 points for the free one if I have a coupon. Otherwise, I can eat and play other places. But once that policy is clear, most folks won't get as annoyed as we got with this pit boss who treated us like disobedient children rather than potential customers.
And by the way. Some fellow gamblers here and on other boards have generalized this two year old issue and may hesitate to buy the ACG because they don't want to have to carry it around with them. Be assured that this kind of issue happens rarely in just a small number of places and often just with some dealer who confuses the ACG with other coupon books that do need to be carried. It may be annoying, but it does not detract from the value of the coupon book. You can expect to be asked for your identity card, but not for the book.