Free trip to casino in Biloxi, MS... what is the catch?

Question

I recently received a free trip voucher for myself and guest to visit Biloxi and stay at a casino for the weekend. The deal included airfare from Atlanta, GA, transportation to/from the casino, and free accommodations at the casino. They require you to put down a credit card but say they will only charge it if we don't show up for the flight. Has anyone had experience with these free trips? If so, what is the catch. Obviously they want you to visit their casino and spent lots of money, but is that really all there is to it??

Answer 1

It depends.  What casino is it and do you go to casinos often.  If it is an mgm sister casino (the beau rivage), and you play alot at mgms you are getting comped.  I would give them a call and see what they have to say.  If it is some group not associated with a casino, I would be very wary.

Answer 2

Which casino?

There are 3 possibilities:

1) Comped Trip: It is common. I just got a comped trip to Vegas today. If it is a casino who's name you recognize then that is the most likely. Given the gambling industry in Biloxi is not doing too well I can them pushing a marketing blitz. If it is comped there is no catch. But if you accept a comp and don't show up they will often charge a cancellation fee because they saved the room for you instead of giving it away to someone else who would have come.

2) Time-Share Sales: I keep getting free trip offers from a place in Vegas that is trying to get me to by a time share. If it is this it should be obvious from the offer.

3) Scam. If it involves a casino you've never heard of and which you can't find on the internet.

Answer 3

Sounds like a timeshare to me. The flight and hotel are probably free. It is a legitimate offer, BUT you have to be prepared to sit through their 4-hour presentation while they try and sell you a timeshare down there.

I went on one in Vegas. The trip was nice because it was free, but the 3 1/2 hours in the presentation wasn't much fun.