A casino loyalty program operates as you’d expect. You sign up, earn points, and redeem them for rewards. Sounds simple enough, right?
But casino loyalty programs aren’t restricted to those with a skilful blackjack strategy, or who like to test their luck on roulette. You can not only earn points from playing casino games, but also dining, accommodation, shopping and more, depending on the venue. And with most casino venues offering a wide selection of entertainment, you could be earning points and rewards in no time.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll take a look at some of the top casino loyalty programs that you can sign up for across Australia. All of the programs listed below are free to join, and you can start earning rewards instantly.
And if you’re new to the world of loyalty programs or curious about more ways to earn rewards, you can learn about the perks of signing up for other programs including frequent flyer programs, hotel loyalty programs, cruise loyalty programs and beauty loyalty programs.
So if you haven’t yet discovered the perks of a casino loyalty program, we’ve rounded up some of the best ones in Australia to join in 2023.
The Star loyalty program: The Star Club
The Star Club is the loyalty program of The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane.
There are five membership tiers in The Star Club. We’ve listed them below, as well as the relevant Tier Points.
- Bronze – Attainable upon joining the program
- Silver – 100 Tier Points
- Gold – 1,500 Tier Points
- Platinum – 5,000 Tier Points
- Diamond – By invitation only
How to join The Star Club
Joining The Star Club is easy. You can sign up online using a physical Australian driver’s licence, and you’ll be prompted to upload a photo of your licence. Alternatively, you can also use a valid passport. You’ll be required to select a venue during sign-up, but the program’s rewards and benefits apply across all properties.
Earning points
Tier Points determine your membership tier and can be earned from playing, staying at one of the group’s hotels, or at most on-site restaurants and bars. Don’t forget to present your physical membership card to earn points.
Redeeming points
You can’t redeem or convert Tier Points for rewards, as they’re solely used to calculate your membership tier. When you scan your membership card you’ll also earn Casino Dollars, which is what you’ll use to claim rewards.
Earning Casino Dollars
Casino Dollars is The Star Club’s on-property currency that can be redeemed for rewards across all three locations. These are separate from Tier Points.
But much like Tier Points, Casino Dollars are earned from gaming, accommodation and most on-site dining options.
As you move through the Tiers, you’ll have the ability to earn more Casino Dollars on your spend – so you can redeem rewards quicker. For example, Gold members can earn 1.25x more Casino Dollars, while for Platinum members the rate is 1.5x.
Redeeming Casino Dollars
Casino Dollars can be redeemed on certain table games, as well as at over 50 venues across The Star’s resorts in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney. The conversion rate is two Casino Dollars for AUD$1.
Benefits of The Star Club membership
One of the key benefits of joining The Star Club is the ability to earn and redeem rewards across three locations: Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane. This opens up a wide selection of restaurants and hotels that accept the program’s Casino Dollars. So when a weekend city escape calls you can put your hard-earned rewards to use, or choose to continue earning during your break.
Notably, members of The Star Club can also access StarPlay on their mobile devices which allows games and tournaments to be played on the go.
Crown loyalty program: Crown Rewards
Crown Resorts operates three casinos across Australia in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Each venue offers the Crown Rewards loyalty program. But while the rules for earning and redeeming points are the same across all three properties, there are some minor limitations based on location, which we’ll cover below.
Membership tiers: Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth
The Crown Rewards program offers five membership tiers. Below are the Status Credits required for each tier when you sign up for the program at Crown Melbourne or Crown Perth.
- Member Tier – Attainable upon joining the program
- Silver Tier – 5 Status Credits
- Gold Tier – 25 Status Credits
- Platinum Tier – 100 Status Credits
- Black Tier – By invitation only
Membership tiers: Crown Sydney
Crown Sydney has a slightly higher requirement to move up to the next tier of its Crown Rewards program. We’ve listed the tiers and their relevant Status Credits below.
- Member Tier – Attainable upon joining the program
- Silver Tier – 10 Status Credits
- Gold Tier – 35 Status Credits
- Platinum Tier – 150 Status Credits
- Black Tier – By invitation only
How to join Crown Rewards
To become a Crown Rewards member, you can sign up in person at a Crown Rewards desk at Crown Melbourne, Crown Perth or Crown Sydney. You’ll be issued a physical Crown Rewards Card that must be presented when earning and redeeming points.
Earning points
There are two types of points that can be earned. Casino Points can be earned by playing table games, while Lifestyle Points are earned through spending at Crown hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping and events.
Redeeming points
Crown Rewards Points can be redeemed in a number of ways. You can exchange them to play table games, pay for food and beverage purchases, shop in Crown’s retail precinct, book accommodation and more. Every 100 Crown Rewards Points you collect will give you $1 to redeem.
Note that Crown Rewards Points earned at Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth can be used across either of the two venues. Crown Rewards Points earned at Crown Sydney can only be redeemed at Crown Sydney.
Earning status credits
Status Credits determine your tier in the Crown Rewards program. We’ve highlighted the Status Credits required to move up to the next tier above, depending on your location. Once you’ve accumulated enough Points, you’ll earn a Status Credit. Presently, the earn rate is one Status Credit per 500 Casino Points and one Status Credit per 1,500 Lifestyle Points.
Benefits of Crown Rewards membership
Crown’s Melbourne complex is the largest casino venue in Australia, so members have plenty of options for redemptions when joining the program in Melbourne or Perth. Crown Sydney has only recently opened, so members can enjoy the perks of this new development, which includes luxury accommodation, fine dining restaurants and plenty of retail options.
Navigating the Crown Rewards program is a little tricky. But there are two key points to remember. Firstly, points earned at Crown’s Melbourne and Perth venues can only be redeemed at either of these locations – not at the Sydney venue. And secondly, you’ll need a few extra Status Credits to progress through the program’s tiers if you’re based in Sydney.
SkyCity Adelaide loyalty program: SkyCity Rewards
SkyCity Rewards is the loyalty program of SkyCity Adelaide. Despite being part of the wider SkyCity Entertainment Group, SkyCity Adelaide’s loyalty program is independent of other SkyCity casinos, so you’ll only be able to earn and redeem SkyCity Rewards here.
SkyCity Rewards offers five membership tiers:
- Bronze – Attainable upon joining the program
- Silver – 2,000 points
- Gold – 4,350 points
- Platinum – 35,000 points
- Black – 150,000 points
How to join SkyCity Rewards
SkyCity Rewards membership is free. You can join online or visit the SkyCity Rewards Hub in person to fill in a membership form. If you sign up online, you’ll still need to present a current photo ID at the SkyCity Rewards Hub to complete the process and receive your membership card.
Note that if you were hoping for transferable benefits across the ditch, all of SkyCity’s properties in New Zealand fall under a separate loyalty program called Premier Rewards. This means that you won’t be able to earn or redeem SkyCity Rewards points in New Zealand.
Earning points
To earn SkyCity Rewards points, you’ll need to present your physical membership card. Points can be earned from gaming machines, table games and the purchase of food and beverages. Once SkyCity Rewards points are issued, they’ll expire after six months.
Redeeming points
SkyCity Rewards points can be redeemed on food and beverage purchases or as promotional chips or conditional slot points. 100 points are equivalent to $1. You can simply swipe your card on gaming machines, present it to the table games dealer, or show your card when making a purchase at an eligible bar or restaurant.
Benefits of SkyCity Rewards membership
Once you join SkyCity Rewards, you’ll begin enjoying benefits like meal and beverage discounts, access to member-only prize draws and promotions and an exclusive birthday discount. You can access VIP areas once you reach the Gold tier, and be invited to exclusive VIP events once you reach Platinum. Members of all tiers can also enjoy discounted rates at the luxurious Eos by SkyCity hotel.
Mindil Beach Casino Resort loyalty program: Lucky North Club
The Northern Territory’s Mindil Beach Casino Resort was formerly known as SkyCity Darwin. The venue is the only casino in Darwin and operates its own loyalty program, the Lucky North Club.
Lucky North Club offers five tiers of membership:
- Ruby – Attainable upon joining the program
- Emerald – 350-2,999 tier points
- Sapphire – 3,000-12,499 tier points
- Diamond – 12,500-29,999 tier points
- Black Diamond – 30,000+ tier points
How to join Lucky North Club
Lucky North Club membership is free, and you can only join in person by visiting the Lucky North Club desk at Mindil Beach Casino Resort. You’ll receive a Lucky North Club Players Card to present throughout the venue when earning and redeeming points.
Earning points
Lucky North Club members can earn points when playing table games or gaming machines, as well as on food and beverage purchases. As you earn points you’ll move up the various tiers, with tier status evaluations occurring every six months.
Redeeming points
Once you’ve collected enough points, you can redeem them for Free Play, accommodation at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort or restaurants within the property. You’ll need your physical card handy to redeem rewards.
Benefits of Lucky North Club membership
The program’s entry-level tier, Ruby, gives members access to exclusive offers, promotions and giveaways. Higher tiers can also enjoy VIP parking and gaming access among other benefits. All Lucky North Club members over the age of 50 are also eligible for the My Generation Program, with special events and offers for seniors.
Summing up
The casino loyalty programs we’ve highlighted above are all free to join, so they’re worth considering even if you only play, dine or shop at a venue occasionally. Most entry-level tiers provide great perks from the get-go, and the points can certainly stack up quickly after a few nights out, a city staycation or a bit of retail therapy.
Keep in mind that most casino loyalty programs require you to present your physical membership card to earn or redeem points on-site, so it pays to keep your card handy. You never know when a spontaneous night out beckons.
Featured image: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels
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