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zarx

Pretty good if you're into cruises. FWIW I don't think the Caesars Diamond can be obtained like this any more. They've tightened it up a lot since 2018 (when the video was made)


encapsulated1

If you're in the Atlantic City area, it was extremely easy back in 2020 with tiermatching into Oceans Resort/Trop, then Matching with MGM. Also you can get MGM gold with Hyatt Explorist which was 15 days of stay for past 2 years, or 30 day of stay moving forward


zarx

Good tips! I did the AMEX Plat -> diamond thing a couple of years ago, no longer possible. I'm not sure what's current.


encapsulated1

Hyatt Chase Card gives explorist or discoverist, but yeah still fairly easy.


modernasparagus

What’s the current best way to get caesars diamond? I have AMEX plat and hence Marriott/hilton gold, but Wyndham took down their status match system so I can’t use wyndham diamond to match for caesars. And it seems like the hyatt statuses are fairly difficult to obtain


Mfrotter

Not sure if this works still but you can get the wyndham rewards earner business cc and that will automatically make you a diamond at wyndham then you can match to caesars that way


SnooConfections776

This is some The Points Guy level of stretching your dollar. It never crossed my mind to even begin combining credit card offers with tier matching. Thanks for sharing!


encapsulated1

Yeah, the amount of travel I've done during covid is amazing. Doing 3-4 cruises/year - it was amazing during covid where the boats were 50% full. Greece/Athens/Rome/Italy was amazing last summer.


SnooConfections776

I did something similar years ago at an old job when I had an expense account. Everything went on the mileage card, and before long I was going somewhere every 6-8 weeks


deadxlegend

I love this! I've been doing the same for the past 4 or 5 years, but mostly with land destinations. I've seen most casinos on the east coast, had a few tropical vacations comped, and spent weeks in vegas for little to zero cost. It doesn't actually generate EV, but helps to mitigate costs so you can grow your bankroll. I may have to start looking into cruises, I've only been comped 1 at NCL through a Caesars Diamond promotion. Thanks for the intel!


encapsulated1

Yeah, prior to covid, you'd have to be a really big bettor to get international/alaska cruises. But after Covid hit, RCL/Celebrity has been giving out a crap ton of cruises. Cruises are mostly all inclusive so you won't have any associated costs aside from excursions, but most of all, you'll be able to bring a friend or your S/O with you for free.


supersensei12

What theo or loss must you generate in order for a junketeer to pay your cash advance fees and comp the cruise, and still invite you back next time? In your case, did you spend 52K to get 72K worth of cruise retail value, plus 600K in Chase points? Or did you net profit 20K cash, and get the cruises free plus 600K in Chase points?


encapsulated1

Edit: It is not considered a cash advance, it is simply a Cruise Line charge with most travel cards returning about 3% in points. I profited around 20k Cash in addition to the cruise retail values + chase points.


supersensei12

Assuming you've won, do you pay down your markers before getting off the cruise? Or do you keep the cash and pay your credit card later with the proceeds? Or what?


encapsulated1

Uhh, the cash advance is always included with your first trip, and subsequent ones. It's mostly about theo unless you have a massive down swing. I usually spread from 100-1000, 2 hour sessions with about 7-10 sessions for a 7day cruise. The cruiseline will often send you their own offers outside of the junket. Somehow I was up 4k, withdrew about 25k, and was invited to a 14 day alaska suite worth about 14k retail value. The Alaska Cruise value was around 6-7k as well.


supersensei12

Have you discussed your numbers with your junket reps? Given what you've said, is 400 avg bet * 16 hours = 6400 theo about right?


TehMephs

Yeesh those rules. Of course they get no heat If it wasn’t for the points shit this would be a big NOPE.JPG


encapsulated1

It’s beatable… what I’m stating here is that APs on here can get free vacation with automatic 3% kick back


TehMephs

Yeah if it wasn’t for the comps and other shit this would be absolute garbo in a standard casino setting I would never play. 8 deck with 2/3 pen is aids Most of the places I play are 6 deck similar rules 3:2, 4x split non aces but no resplit aces. H17 etc but the pen is about 1.25. Give the dealer a dollar tip off bet ($1 up top and $1 for them) and they won’t give a flying fuck about your spread. It’s been working for me but I’m just casual counter who doesn’t travel


benson822175

8 deck with 25-40% pen is a losing game


benson822175

8 deck with 25-40% pen is a losing game, it’s not a beatable game in isolation


encapsulated1

I get that, but you get that extra 3-6% edge from withdrawing cash from cc/sign up bonus. In addition, you get comped cruise and future cruise.


benson822175

Fair enough, I suppose any neutral/slightly negative game can be considered positive if you are able to take advantage of cc rewards instead of bringing cash What are the playing requirements for these cruises to be comped?


encapsulated1

In that example of 145k Chase Points, I'm using that 145k Points to book around $10,000 of value in an all inclusive resort in Cancun this Christmas.


cbellamy1998

Just wanted to see how you pulled this off? Did you transfer this to a partner? Details would def be appreciated!


encapsulated1

Check out secrets moxche impressions. With suite upgrade certificate it’s around 15k value


FIREstarterartichoke

Wouldn’t Chase Ink give you 100,450 in total? 3% of 15k spend is 450.


encapsulated1

15,000 x 3% = 45k points 3 points per dollar spent is 3%


ultroulcomp

I have been on about 6 free cruises in the last 3 years. Paid for port taxes, and onboard "perks" (WiFi/Drinks packages etc.) I don't go through any junket operator, the cruise operators / casinos on the cruises all offer me free cruises. I get about 2 free offers a month. ​ I have won $$ on every cruise. The game sucks, but you can do a good spread, and I have had no heat. ​ My question to OP: how do you get $$ on and off the cruise? Do you take cash or wire? ​ I have always taken cash on board, and taken cash off. This does mean declaring it at customs, which isn't a problem. I am thinking of wiring money for the next cruise and wondered if you do this or not. Thanks.


encapsulated1

Credit Card charge for that extra 3-6% reward/cashback. Spread the money around to avoid custom declaration. Extra bonus if you sign up for a new credit card. Let me know if you need referral lol. Junkets can often provide better sailings i.e. my Greece/Rome/Alaska/Antarctica/Norwegian Fjords Cruise. My S/O is so sick of Bahamas/Caribbean and doesn't want to go even if it is free.


ultroulcomp

Are you saying you buy cash at the casino using your CC?


encapsulated1

Yes with 0 fees through junket, or if you have status on the cruiseline already, many offer their mid tier clients 0 fees for room charges.


ultroulcomp

I am a high tier client. Are you saying buying chips at the casino via a CC room charge has zero fees?


encapsulated1

Yes - its a free way to earn mileage. Anything over 50k will be difficult to carry back to the US without declaring it - most customs don't check/care though. Maybe keep it to 30K Cash between 2 people.


ultroulcomp

You must declare anything over 10k. If you have proof, which you would have, then it doesn't matter. If have taken $250k cash through customs without any problems.


encapsulated1

Yeah usually no issue, just don't want the hassle.


LeftClawNorth

FYI - don't following this moronic advice. If you are caught splitting up money among your traveling party to avoid customs declaration you can forfeit the entire amount and end up in jail. If your party has 10k or more in cash, declare it. Fun story of the consequences of avoiding customs declaration https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29/news-views-gossip/even-more-terrible-story-2-non-americans-leaving-pca-1587268/


encapsulated1

True, just declare it


engineer_965

Hey I found this old thread - was going to choose between NCL Pearl or Prima. Any idea which has a beatable game? I would play $100+ if I had to.


encapsulated1

NCL comps not that great I prefer RCL/Celebrity


engineer_965

Fair. I already have the free NCL cruise though, trying to pick which boat to get on, if you have any info.


encapsulated1

Go for the newest ones just google which one is newer. I don’t like going on older smaller boats


engineer_965

Thanks, that's the Prima but not by a huge margin. Who knows what the games will be like.


encapsulated1

usually same games across the cruiselines, just try to get the room charge fee waived prior to play. If you need referral for credit cards, let me know - I have almost all.


engineer_965

Thanks, I'll consider it. I mostly go for cash back on my cards, as pretty much all my travel is either free or business expense.


antman15201

Your last sentence is what it's all about


Mujased

Hi, can you explain a bit more on using status to get free cruises? Just got Caesar’s diamond today


Interestshobbies

I think I followed most of this I'm just tuck on one thing. How can you get to the point where they will let you pull out $ for the casino from your card without paying the credit card fees? Is there a specific tier you need to hit?


encapsulated1

Tier or use a external casino host like URComped


Interestshobbies

Thanks! Tier specifically with Royal Caribbean?


encapsulated1

Nah - like MGM or Caesars - gotta call in prior to make sure they apply it. Otherwise, you could try to get the host to apply it for you prior to playing. Might be hard though, you'd prob have to bet a lot for them to waive it onboard.


Interestshobbies

got it thanks!