I’ve been saying since last February that I was “confident” that Founders Card would not renew their partnership with Caesars Diamond. Despite people all year long telling me I was wrong (since FC wasn’t telling anyone) I was confident that when they lost it in February 2024 and then magically got it back, it was because the Caesars program year had already started and they couldn’t go back on it at that point since people paid dues on the premises of it being available.
When the Wyndham Diamond via the Wyndham Business Earner credit card lost Caesars Diamond ,I went form 95% sure to 99.9% sure.
Alas, it’s now confirmed. And so the last “play” for Caesars Diamond (outside of having never had a card before and matching from another casino for one year) is shut for now (yes, *for now* – things evolve…) effective after January 31, 2025.
However, what I did not see coming was a new partnership with Wynn.
As called out by Justin W. in the MilesTalk Facebook Group, your Founders Card membership now gets you Wynn Platinum, presumably year after year.
(I’m not a member and I know their prices are all over the map so hopefully we can get some good discussion around that in the Facebook group – I do know they have a base level that you think gets everything but does not and then you have to upgrade to “Elite” or something to actually get what you thought you were already getting.)
- To specifically make that clear as a commenter missed what I said there: You need Founders Card Elite – not the base level FC card. It is much more expensive.
It is specifically called out, though, that to get the Platinum tier benefits of the $100 Spa Credit and the $150 Birthday Dinner are not doled out until you stay two non-consecutive two night stays. As well, the Holland America free cruise than normally is given after two non-consecutive stays, is entirely excluded for those matched from Founders Card. You also get a 30% discount on room rates, which I already get simply by having a Wynn card and barely gambling there.
Also keep in mind this is a match to Wynn Las Vegas. The Boston Encore property is not part of this. And Wynn Platinum does NOT waive resort fees.
So on a scale of 1-10, what is this? Maybe a 6 and here’s why.
If you like to stay at Wynn, it’s cool to have status. But moreover, you could, as things stood during last year’s MGM tier match that ended in September, match to MGM Gold from it. While it would be valid only 3 months, you could use that to hit Hard Rock in Atlantic City and Ocean. So, in a sense you could use this to Merry Go Round. It may also be useful for other onward matches we don’t yet know about. Keep in mind you would have to pick up the card in Las Vegas.
However, I hear the cost of FC elite can be high – at least $400 a year if I’m not mistaken? So there will be a cost-benefit analysis here that far exceeds the $95 fee we paid for the Wyndham Business Earner credit card.
Founders Card lists precious little on their website, which is why I defer to members in the comments and the Facebook group to comment on the price which I hear changes like the wind based on how you sign up.
Let’s continue the discussion privately in the group.
For now, please no referral invites in the comments or in the group.
Thoughts?
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Do you think the 2 non consec night wynn stay has to be booked directly? What if i use a benefit from another card?
Also could u do a 2 player strategy and each get a room and add eachothers name to it?
That worked for me with the cruise benefit, so maybe. I had the front desk add each other on check-in (they didn’t allow us to do it over the phone).
You have to have Founder Card Elite for the Wynn platinum match
FC offered a $295 annual fee and I stupidly took the bait…Boston based so thought the Wynn Platinum would offer some sort of worthwhile benefit given Encore Boston Harbor is a mile from home but clearly didn’t read the fine print and the “upgraded” benefits only apply to LAS. Also a UA flier so perhaps with the up to 20% discount can get some value out of that benefit but otherwise membership seems pretty useless given credit cards like AMEX, CSR, UA Club, all offer the same status benefits for hotels and rental cars. Most of it seems like a glorified coupon book offering discounts that can be had from doing a little digging or using Chrome extensions like Honey, etc. Def not renewing.
Founders has a free 3 month trial, does that get you to Wynn match?
No sorry – you need the paid FC Elite.