The next step in the casino status match run is to status match to Ocean Prime! This is the big one where you get most of the benefits that we’ve been working towards. It’s crazy to think that you can get all these travel perks for free just by status matching your status from another casino. I’m sure it’s not going to be around forever so if you are thinking about doing this casino status match run, better do it fast since some of the rules have already started changing! Also, if you want to read more about it, go visit the MilesTalk Blog!

• Related Article: Casino Status Match Run (Part 5): Status Match to Hard Rock Unity Icon + Benefits

 

Status Match Hard Rock Unity Icon to Ocean Prime

Step 1: Go to Ocean Casino

If you watched my YouTube video, you would have seen that we did not make it to Ocean Casino the same day as Hard Rock. If you wanted to status match Hard Rock and Ocean on the same day, it’s totally possible. We just didn’t because we ended up staying at a bar to watch the Dodgers win the World Series so we didn’t make it to Ocean before they closed the counters.

So, the next morning, that was first on our agenda. Since we were staying at Borgata for free thanks to the myVEGAS app game, we needed to drive over to Ocean. It took roughly about 10 minutes and we decided to self-park. You do not have to pay at the entrance like you had to for Hard Rock. 

 

Step 2: Status Match to Ocean Prime

If you are entering the hotel from the parking garage, it might be a little confusing because you feel like you just stepped into a mall. No worries though, just keep walking forward and you’ll eventually find the casino. As for the hours of operation, I posted them down below just so you have a reference of what time you should get there.

Once you walk up to the desk, just tell them that you are interested in status matching. Both my friend and I got really knowledgeable customer service representatives and we were in and out of there within 5 minutes.

 

Step 3: Earn 250 Tier Points

As of December 1, 2024, if you status matched into Ocean Casino’s rewards program, you are now required to earn 250 Tier Points and the only way you can earn is by gambling. When we did our status match, it was back in October so we were fortunate enough to not have to comply with this new rule. Also, I’m not certain how much gambling this would take but from what the MilesTalk Blog has mentioned, they say at least a couple of hours of decent gambling. 

What does that mean for people that don’t really gamble? That is up to you if you think a couple hours of gambling is worth getting a 10-day cruise and 2 nights at the Wynn. I don’t know how much you gamble but if we were just to look at how much the Wynn costs per night, it can range anywhere from $500-$1500/night after taxes and resort fees.  Just that alone might be worth it for you to earn the 250 tier points, but again, this is your own personal decision and gambling should not be taken lightly. 

 

Ocean Prime Casino Benefits

Now that we have Ocean Prime status, we got a slew of free swag to enjoy! Let’s take a look at the benefits we get at Ocean Casino first.

	Parking Permit We got a parking permit to put on our rear view mirror but not really sure what the purpose of this is. We still had to use our player’s card to exit out of the garage. Maybe there’s special parking for Ocean Prime members somewhere? Who knows.
	Avila Lounge Voucher The best perk that we got to use right away was the Avila Lounge. My friend and I both got a voucher to eat at the Avila lounge and you are allowed to bring one guest. Keep in mind that you need to use the voucher within 72 hours of your status match date. Since my friend and I both got a voucher, we decided to bring each other as our guest and go twice! I’ve never heard of a dedicated lounge for casino status holders before so I was excited to check it out. I honestly thought it was going to be a typical airport lounge that served passable food and basic drinks. I was absolutely FLOORED on what we got. More details down below!
	Ocean T-Shirt We also got a T-shirt! Definitely not our size, but free is free! Also, not sure if they always give the T-shirt out or we just went during a special promotion time.

 

Ocean Prime Travel Benefits

The whole reason that we started this crazy casino status match run was to get to this point! Finally, we are now able to get real-life rewards. The travel benefits that come with being match to Ocean Prime status are:

• Up to a 10-Day MSC Cruise for Two with an Ocean View Room
• Two Nights at the Wynn Las Vegas + $50 Dining Credit

Travel Benefit #1: 10-Day MSC Cruise

Most people that do the status match are in it for the free 10-day cruise and I wouldn’t blame them! Unfortunately, this was more appealing back months ago when they still allowed European sailings. Since September 2024, it seems that MSC has changed the rules and now there is a $1400 surcharge for all non-U.S. sailings. My friend and I really wanted to do the Japan sailing next year but we weren’t about the fork up $1400. This was supposed to be a free cruise! So, both of us settled on a 7-day Caribbean cruise since that’s all that was available to us.

Also, I know I mention “free” cruise but in actuality, it’s not free. You will have to put a deposit of $400 down which you will get back as onboard ship credit. When I made the booking, I asked the customer service representative what that exactly meant and she said “gambling money.” So, if you were thinking that you could just spend it on drinks or premium meals, you can’t. MSC is pretty much forcing you to gamble. 

 

Travel Benefit #2: Two Nights at the Wynn + $50 Dining Credit

Although the cruise is a nice perk, the real winner for me is getting the free nights at the Wynn Las Vegas. I go to Las Vegas all the time and the Wynn/Encore is my favorite hotel. Ever since COVID though, they have SERIOUSLY jacked up the prices so I can’t even dream of staying there anymore. Below is a screenshot of Wynn’s rate calendar (before taxes and resort fees) just to give you an idea of how expensive it is. So, once I heard you get TWO NIGHTS for free just for status matching, I was sold! Not to mention the extra $50 dining credit as well.

 

Avila Lounge at Ocean Casino 

One of the immediate perks that you get for status matching to Ocean Prime tier level is a voucher to go eat at the Avila Lounge. I really didn’t know what to expect since I’ve never even heard of a lounge dedicated to casino players before, but boy, I was impressed. It was the size of a full service restaurant. A part of me thinks that this used to be the casino’s buffet or was supposed to be but couldn’t get enough patrons to keep it running.

Everything was set up buffet style with a salad bar, hot food station, carving station and a dessert bar. There was even a typical alcohol bar that you can sit at in case you didn’t want to take up a table. My friend and I probably ended up staying there for a couple hours just eating prime rib, drinking champagne, and talking. The only thing that’s not included is the tip so make sure you don’t forget to tip your server!

Bonus Info: If you want to eat at the Avila Lounge later on, it will cost you $10 comp dollars per person. 

 

YouTube

If you want to follow along on our status match to Hard Rock Unity Icon, I made a short YouTube video so you can get a visual of what we went through once we got to Atlantic City. I only have Part 1 up right now, but I’ll update the page once I have Part 2 up and running as well.