Caesars Rewards announced last year it would no longer match elite statuses matched from other select loyalty programs. For example, I used the complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status that comes with my IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card to match to Wyndham Rewards Diamond. Then I matched Wyndham Rewards Diamond to Caesars Rewards Diamond.
But then Caesars suddenly ended that — while simultaneously asking people’s vote for the annual Freddie Awards. (Total chutzpah!) Then Caesars (wisely) backtracked and added:
After re-reviewing your original Tier match request and your account, we are postponing enforcement of the exclusion described above for your account until our next program year. We have upgraded your Tier Status to the level it was before the downgrade, and this Tier will remain in place until January 31, 2023. After that date, you can submit another request for a Tier match if you qualify. The terms and conditions of our program are subject to change at any time, so please review the program website next year to see if you still qualify for a match.
I expected to lose my status on February 1, 2023. Nonetheless, I applied for a Wyndham Diamond status match to Caesars Diamond a few times in early and mid-January 2023.
I opened my Caesars app on February 1 — and was demoted to Gold. (Whomp, whomp!) So, I logged on to the Caesars Rewards website and requested a status match again. Today, I checked my account and saw this:
Success! Thanks, Caesars!
Did Caesars Get in My Head — and Make Me “Work” for My Status Match?
I’ll be honest: a close family member has long been an MGM Resorts high-roller. My wife and I enjoyed trips during which meals, drinks, and spa visits were comped. One of my clients regularly books us at MGM properties when we work in Vegas.
That said, I wanted to stretch my legs and kind of give something back to Caesars for the Diamond status. I made a concerted effort to visit their properties and spend a few bucks over the past few years. Even while taking advantage of some Diamond benefits.
In 2021, I met some friends in Vegas and we hit the sinful Bacchanal Buffet at Ceasars Palace. (Where by coincidence, we were in line with Sean Coomer from Miles to Memories.) I paid for that (not cheap) dinner.
Then we went over to Flamingo and played blackjack. (If my wife is reading: honey, skip to the next post on the blog.) Caesars (quickly) capitalized on me. I’ll leave it at that.
A few months later, my dad and I enjoyed my annual Celebration Dinner and dropped a few bucks at Caesars — something we wouldn’t have done had I not been a Diamond member.
My family visited Las Vegas a couple of times last year. We stayed one night at Caesars Palace — room and tax were comped, thanks to my Diamond status. On the morning we checked out, we visited the resort’s Cafe Americano for an excellent brunch. We paid for drinks and food.
A couple of months later, a client and I were in Vegas for work. I treated her to a fantastic late lunch at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant using my Celebration Dinner benefit. Before walking back to our hotel, we stopped by the Caesars sportsbook bar for a post-lunch beverage.
By Caesars Diamond giving me status, they earned a customer — even though I’m a guppy compared to whales. And as someone who spends most of his Vegas time at MGM properties, the Caesars Diamond match inspired me to stray. I spent money on food, beverages, and gambling that probably would’ve gone elsewhere.
Status matchers: what are your data points for this year?
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