• Caesars Rewards Diamond Status Explained. For the past five or so years I have been an M life loyalist when it comes to Vegas. I typically stay at M life properties as they are partnered with Hyatt. Recently I status matched my IHG Platinum status to.
• For a full list of benefits for Caesars Diamond members, check out the complete list here. The Benefits of Wyndham Diamond Status You likely won’t be doing this to get the Wyndham Status but it’s good to know what you get as a Wyndham Diamond member (once you’ve matched it to your Hilton Diamond account).
• Caesars Entertainment has made some notable adjustments to the Total Rewards tier benefits for 2018. For many Diamond members, and most Seven Stars members, this won’t be a severe downgrade. If you stay at Caesars properties regularly and leave a lot of money in the casino, you’ll probably be okay.
• You can Status Match to get these Caesars Rewards Diamond benefits: Here are the most notable perks: A $100 USD dining credit to be used at Caesars properties. Two free show tickets per month. Free valet parking at Caesars properties. No resort fees (approximately $45 USD per day savings at Caesars Palace).

Update (06/13/2020): Wyndham has announced that they are not currently accepting status match opportunities from other hotel loyalty programs, which makes the strategy below obsolete. However, status matching between Wyndham and Caesars Rewards is still available.

It takes 15,000 tier credits to reach Caesars Diamond status. The benefits can be quite substantial for frequent Vegas visitors—no resort fees, free parking, and a $100 celebration dinner can really help make a trip more affordable. But is it worth stretching your gambling dollar, succumbing to whims of volatility, all in the pursuit of perks? For low rollers, it’s probably not.

That’s why many turn to an alternative path, the Founders Card. FC is a membership that grants card holders access to a number of discounts and benefits. The most pertinent being complementary Caesars Diamond status. It’s a direct, easy option for those not wanting to put their bankroll at risk. But FC can be pricey. A one year membership costs up to $395. There are benefits beyond Diamond status that can make FC useful, especially if you’re a business owner. But there’s yet an even cheaper option to acquire Diamond status. All it costs is around $100 and a decent credit score.

FC Benefits: Complimentary Caesars Diamond Membership Status. Last year I signed up for the FoundersCard, and then promptly enrolled in the complimentary Caesars Diamond membership status, which is valid at all Caesars Total Rewards properties. I used the benefits in Las Vegas, and as a Caesars Diamond member my Vegas experience was just a.

The key to Diamond for $100 is the direct status match relationship between Wyndham and Caesars. Wyndham and Caesars have, in essence, reciprocal statuses. If you have Diamond status with Wyndham, you can match that to Diamond Status with Caesars, and vice versa. So, it’s possible to reach Caesars Diamond not just directly, but by somehow obtaining Diamond status with Wyndham as well. Currently, Wyndham allows anyone to match a competitor hotel status to into the Wyndham program at the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond level.

There’s no efficient way to reach Wyndham Diamond through Wyndham itself, but you can reach a top tier status with other hotel programs by simply being approved for and holding on to one of their credit cards. If you’re comfortable with this strategy, a hotel credit card with an annual fee of less than $100 can be your ticket to Diamond. Once you receive the status from the other program, you would match it Wyndham then, once processed, match your Wyndham status to Caesars. Processing times vary, but it usually takes less than three weeks for both to go through.

MilesTalk has a handy post and flow chart, documenting the status you would need at competitor programs to match to Wyndham Diamond. Based on his information, here are some credit cards with annual fees less than $100 that should do the trick:

Key stats:

• $95 annual fee
• 125k bonus points for $2,000 of spend in three months
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
• 12x points on Hilton purchases
• 6x points on restaurant, gas station, and supermarket purchases
• 3x points on all other purchases
  

This is probably my favorite of the bunch. Hilton has a broad portfolio and, in my experience, treats Gold members well, even at some of their more modest properties. Note that the bonus point earnings might seem inflated compared to other cards. It takes more HH points for redemptions than it may other hotel loyalty programs. This is something to be aware of if you’re new to the points and miles and are comparing credit card benefits.

Vegas redemption options include Tropicana, Elara, and the Waldorf Astoria. I’ve seen some great weekday rates at the Waldorf Astoria, which is in a fantastic location in the center of the Strip.

Key stats:

• $89 annual fee
• 80k bonus points for $2,000 of spend in three months
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• 25x points on IHG purchases (10x for being a credit card holder, 10x for being IHG Rewards member, 5x for having Platinum Elite status)
• 2x points on restaurant, gas station, and supermarket purchases
• 1x points on all other purchases
  

This is another solid, inexpensive option. IHG has a large footprint with plenty of modestly priced options. If you’re a Vegas visitor, you can use IHG points to redeem stays at the Venetian or Palazzo, which have some of the largest basic rooms on the Strip.

Key stats:

• $75 annual fee
• 85k bonus points (50k after your first purchase, 35k after $2500 of spend in three months)
• Complimentary Gold status
• 6x points on Radisson purchases
• 3x points on all other purchases
• 40k points for card renewal each year
  

I’ll admit that I’m rather ignorant to the Radisson Reward program. Superficially, at least, this appears to be a decent card, especially if your travels have you frequenting Radisson family hotels. You can also use your points to book free nights at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, which is one of the better casinos for gamblers on the Strip at the moment. Currently, it takes 44,000 points for a free night at TI. You’d be just shy of two free nights after the initial sign-on bonus is complete.

I have no idea how long this strategy will be valid. For it to continue, the Caesars and Wyndham partnership needs to remain intact. Further, Wyndham has to maintain its competitor match availability. Both could close at a moment’s notice. I would also anticipate more restructuring of Caesars Diamond benefits. Caesars (El Dorado) has already developed multiple Diamond tiers, designed to specifically reward Diamond members who obtained status through gambling. It remains to be seen if additional perks will be rolled into the Diamond Plus and Elite tiers. But for now, the credit card strategy still works. If you’re able and willing, you can still get valuable Caesars Diamond perks for under $100.

To keep Caesars Diamond perpetually, it’s important to know when each program’s status lapses during the year. Your Caesars Diamond status will expire on January 31st, so prior to, make sure to match your status back to Wyndham, that way you can rematch from Wyndham back to Caesars after January 31st. Wyndham’s Diamond status is promotional. It lasts for 90 days unless you complete certain stay requirements. So don’t match back to Wyndham more than 90 days before January 31st.

Recap

• Get top status at a hotel program that matches to Wyndham Diamond
• Match your Caesars Diamond status back to Wyndham after January 1st
• Match Wyndham Diamond status back to Caesars after January 31st

Resources

MilesTalk shows how you can get even more mileage out of these status match opportunities: The Status Match Merry Go Round Explained

I discuss the Founders Card membership program: Is the Founders Card Worth It?

Caesars Rewards: Benefits Overview by Tier

The credit card strategy and your credit report: How a “Churn and Burn” Credit Card Strategy Impacts your Credit Score

The information herein should not be considered prescriptive financial advice. Travel Fanboy receives no commission or compensation from any links on this site. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone.Before applying for a credit card, make sure it fits with your goals and plans.Always do your own research prior to applying for a credit card. The information here was accurate at the time it was written.

Caesars Rewards is introducing two new levels of “Diamond” status in 2020.

Diamond Plus and Diamond Elite will go into effect for the new loyalty club year, which begins February 2020. It wasn’t that long ago that Total Rewards was rebranded to become Caesars Rewards. The new changes come as CaesarsEntertainment is in the process of merging with Eldorado Resorts.

When the merger completes during the first half of 2020, Caesars will be under new leadership. The changes to Diamond status are modest, and most other benefits will remain intact. If there are drastic changes to Caesars Rewards, they’ll likely go into effect after the company has new ownership.

New Caesars Rewards levels

It’s not challenging to obtain Caesars Rewards’ Diamond status today. There are several ways to achieve Diamond status, but of course, spending money with Caesars is probably the easiest way.

One of the most popular ways to reach Diamond, aside from spending money at the properties, is to buyaccess. The FoundersCard offers access to premium levels of a variety of travel loyalty programs, including Caesars.

The ability to become a Diamond member without actually spending money at a Caesars Rewards property devalues the benefits for those who are loyal to Caesars. The additional Diamond levels are a way for Caesars to offer aspirational benefits to customers who are genuinely loyal and spend money with the company.

Caesars Diamond Benefits 2020

Earn casino rewards and comps playing online games

Diamond Plus: Caesars Rewards members who reach 25,000 tier credits will receive complimentary access to the LaurelLounge. This is the same policy that members with this tier credit have now. Entry for fewer credits is $10 in credits per person. The big difference is these members will receive an exclusive Diamond Plus Caesars Rewards card.

Diamond Elite: Caesars Rewards members that reach 75,000 tier credits will receive a $600 airfare credit to Las Vegas. All members will appreciate this benefit. Former Eldorado Resorts One Club members will especially enjoy this perk since this isn’t available to any level member. These members also receive a new Caesars Rewards Diamond Elite card.

Diamond tier match at Caesars Rewards player loyalty club

One of the reasons Caesars Rewards is creating new tier levels inside the Diamond status is that it’s so easy to achieve. Loyalty isn’t only earned by spending at various Caesars casinos in-person or online.

As previously mentioned, FoundersCard members can gain access to the second-highest tier in Caesars Rewards behind Seven Stars. Another way to reach Diamond status without spending money with the company is with periodic tier-match promotions.

The tier-match promotions are simple and free. Just bring a premium level card from a different casino, and Caesars will match with a Diamond card. Caesars will match tiers with most larger casino operators. Here are some examples of casino loyalty clubs that Caesars will match in Las Vegas:

B Connected (Boyd Gaming)
Onyx
Emerald
Titanium

M life Rewards (MGM Resorts)
Gold
Platinum
Noir

Grazie Rewards (Venetian/Palazzo)
Platinum

Identity (Cosmopolitan)
Gold
Platinum

Marquee Rewards (Tropicana/M Resort)
Executive Producer
ICON

Station Casinos (Red Rock, Palms, etc.)
President
Chairman

You can see the full list of casinos that Caesars will match tiers with here.

Caesars Rewards Diamond tier benefits

The Diamond tier of Caesars Rewards has been aspirational for many years. Caesars has two specific benefits that most casino loyalty clubs don’t offer customers. One of the most popular Diamond benefits for years has been earning access to the Diamond Lounge.

The VIP rooms are now called the Laurel Lounge. The amenities in Laurel lounges differ based on the city and casino. For example, Caesars and Bally’s in Atlantic City offer complimentary drinks and a full buffet. Laurel lounges at Las Vegas properties offer complimentary snacks and beverages. Some offer more food but not all day and night, like the New Jersey properties.

The complimentary drinks and snacks are a nice perk. For Caesars customers, there’s something special about having access to this VIP room that most guests will never see.

The latest popular Diamond perk has a significant dollar value. A few years back, Caesars Rewards announced that resort fees are waived for the Diamond tier and above. This can be a significant saving, and it’s not something other casino loyalty clubs offer. Many casinos still charge resort fees for discounted and complimentary rooms. Resort fees for a week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas would be $350 ($50 per night).

Players should enjoy this benefit while it lasts because it may not be available in the future. There are multiple lawsuits and legislation aiming to remove or reduce the effect of resort fees. If the fees go away, so does one of Caesars’ best perks.

Current Caesars Rewards promotions

Caesars is trying to help customers reach their Diamond tier in 2020.

The iconic casino company is offering even more promotions than the status match. Caesars is offering players a 20% bump in tier credits for the rest of the year.

Diamond Gem Benefits

For every 500 tier credits that players earn, Caesars will offer a 100 tier credits bonus for 2020. Players must visit Caesars to sign up for the promotion and see more information. Guests must preregister before spending money to earn bonus points.

Caesars Rewards Platinum Benefits

Players earn tier credits by playing slots online, video poker and other casino games inside brick-and-mortar casinos or Caesars online casino. Visit Caesars for a full list of ways to earn tier credits inside and outside the casino.