My Casino Status Match Jackpot Haul

MOST RECENT UPDATE: September 7, 2025

Originally published March 1, 2025

par·lay (verb): turn an initial stake or winnings from a previous bet into a greater amount – normally achieved through gambling but I am going to show you an alternative route. And if you’re wondering if this is worth it: how by doing some research into the merry go round, I parlayed ONE $300 trip to Atlantic City into my most impressive travel hack to date and hit the JACKPOT by scoring OVER THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS of FREE TRAVEL! Read this post for all of the information on exactly how I did it!

This post showcases exactly how lucrative it has been for me (and how I was able to travel for so many days – for better and cheaper in 2024 and continue to do so in 2025)! I will link to applicable posts once they’re written so this page will continue to get updated then AND as I continue to book and take comped cruises/stays!

COMP CRUISES

HOLLAND AMERICA (HAL)

Read about How I Got My Holland America Line (HAL) Comped Cruise

HAL Comp Cruise via Direct Match / Passage to Greenland and Iceland (Interior – comp upgrade to Oceanview): VALUE $2,358

• What Did My Free HAL Comped Cruise Really Cost (This covers what the minimum I would have paid for the free cruise and what I really paid)
• Trip Report of My Holland America Nordics Comped Cruise (what I spent (cash/points/miles) and saved (beyond value from points/miles redemptions) for the entire trip organized by categories with emphasis on travel hacking
• Trip Overview Holland America Cruise Nordics Comped Cruise (overview of the trip including itinerary details/links to port stops/day/flight posts)

MSC CRUISES

Read What I Wish I Knew Before Booking MSC Comped Cruise (lots of info on MSC Cruises) and learn how to maximize your cruise with a status match to MSC

MSC Comp Cruise via Ocean Prime Status / Baltic Sea (Oceanview) : VALUE $4,015.92

• MSC Cruises Comped Cruise Cost (wondering what the comped cruise costs are? Read this post for that breakdown)
• Trip Report of My MSC Comped Baltics Cruise (emphasis on travel hacking: details about spend (cash/points/mile) and savings (beyond value from points/miles redemptions) for the entire trip organized by categories)
• Trip Overview MSC Poesia Baltic Cruise (overview of the trip including itinerary details/links to port stops/day/flight posts)
• MSC Poesia Review (ship specific)

MSC Comp Cruise via URComped / 10 Day Mediterranean (Balcony) : VALUE $2,485

• Originally booked as 10 Day Mediterranean (Balcony) – URComped Offer (Cash value: $2,898 – pricing for two at time of booking including port fees and taxes) – CHANGED (*once I secured Virgin Voyage offers, conflict w/timing so changed to 10 Day Caribbean (Balcony) – URComped Offer – CANCELED due to conflict with another vacation

MSC via Ocean Prime Status / Southern Caribbean (Oceanview) : VALUE $2,178

• MSC Cruises Comped Cruise Cost (This showcases what impact the 2024 changes have had on costs) The big changes from my previous MSC cruise were the additional upgrade $1400.00 fee that is added to all non-US sailings (which was why I opted out of the March/April Japan & Korea itinerary) and that the $400 deposit was converted to $400 casino credit.

PRINCESS CRUISE LINES (PCL)

Read How I Got My Princess (PCL) Comped Cruise.

PCL Comp Cruise via Direct Match / 8 Day Alaska (interior stateroom) : VALUE $1,005

• Cancelled due to scheduling conflicts with other booked travel

PCL Comp Cruise via Direct Match / 11 Day Southern Caribbean Medley (interior stateroom) : VALUE $3,695

• This was a holiday sailing (New Years Eve / New Years) with no additional fees charged!
• Read about How I Got this Princess Cruises Comp Cruise here

PCL Comp Cruise via Direct Match /15 Day Search For The Northern Lights (mini-suite stateroom) : VALUE $10,095

• This is a great lesson is why I included negotiating in my parlay – going back and forth between cruise lines to match/improve deals was the only reason I was able to snag this incredible deal – read about how I scored my mini-suite here!
• What Did My Free Princess Cruises Mini Suite Comp Cruise Really Cost (This covers what the minimum I would have paid for the free cruise and what I really paid)
• Trip Report of My Princess Cruises Search for the Northern Lights Comp Cruise: these posts delve into what I spent (cash/points/miles) and saved (beyond value from points/miles redemptions) for the entire trip organized by categories with emphasis on travel/money hacking
• Trip Overview Princess Cruises Cruise Nordics Comped Cruise: this is the overview of the trip including itinerary details and has links to port stops / each day on the cruise / flight/hotel posts

VIRGIN VOYAGES (VV)

Solo travel and considering Virgin? – read this for why it’s so great for solo travel

VV Comp Cruise via Direct Match / 8 Day Greek Isles Glow (Oceanview stateroom) : VALUE $5,090

• What Did My Free VV Greek Isles Glow Comp Cruise Really Cost (This covers what the minimum I would have paid for the free cruise and what I really paid)
• Trip Report of My VV Greek Isles Glow Comp Cruise these posts delve into what I spent (cash/points/miles) and saved (beyond value from points/miles redemptions) for the entire trip organized by categories with emphasis on travel/money hacking
• Trip Overview VV Greek Isles Glow Cruise this is the overview of the trip including itinerary details and has links to port stops / each day on the cruise / flight/hotel posts

VV Comp Cruise via URComped / 6 Day Mexican Riveria (XL Balcony stateroom) : VALUE $3,974

• What My VV Cruise to Mexican Rivera Really Costs (this showcases how VV is different from other cruise lines and how that adds so much value)

COMP STAYS

ATLANTIS BAHAMAS

This is going to sound so ridiculously bougie but I have already stayed at Atlantis (I was a top performing manager at Chase so a number of the manager trips was here and we were spoiled plus I would rather stay and be spoiled at Baha Mar). But since this is so popular I did want to mention it here.

Comp Stay via Ceasars Reward Diamond Status /: VALUE TBD

• Depending on what time of year you go, the comp stay is for 4 or 5 nights and $100 – $150 -$200 free play
• While the room may be comped, you will be responsible for the resort fee ($64.90) and a nightly gratuity ($14 – with an additional $7/person for third/fourth) = $78.90/night for two
• As of 2024, they have been enforcing the rule that you MUST gamble for four hours (terms are in confirmation email that if four hours of play is not generated, the special casino rate (in this case the room being comped) will be changed to casino promotional rate)

WYNN / ENCORE LAS VEGAS

This has been rescheduled a few times (which is no surprise IYKYK) but as long as it is done 48 hours before scheduled arrival, there are no penalties!

Comp Stay via Ocean Prime Status /: VALUE TBD

• 2 night comp stay with $50 Dining Credit