I still really enjoy going to Las Vegas, but my choices of where I stay have changed over the last decade or so. Now, I'm staying at the South Point, Ellis Island or downtown. I have stayed one or two nights on the strip using myVEGAS points over the last 5 years, paying only the resort fees for the stays. I've been having a blast staying downtown at the 4 Queens the last few years, am going back for my birthday next month. I think downtown still has some of the old Las Vegas feel to it.

A prime example of how the strip casinos treat customers differently from locals or downtown casinos treat their customers: Last year I spent a night at the Aria, and a night at Ellis Island. The Aria emailed me a survey about my stay. An Ellis Island casino host called me the day after my stay. Big difference!