‘A galaxy of deals, rewards and benefits’
Living in the lap of luxury is within reach in the “Queen City of the South” under the revamped loyalty program of Nustar Resort and Casino, with a wealth of perks and privileges offered to its members.
Cebu’s first and premier integrated resort destination launched the expanded Nustar Rewards in a lavish program on Oct. 23 that transformed the Nustar ballroom into a setting of celestial elements that adhered to the theme of the program’s different tiers.
When it was introduced, the program’s different levels were Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum and VIP Elite. Under the revamp, the membership tiers are now called Star, Sky, Sun, Zodiac and the highest one dubbed Universe.
Nustar COO Alan Teo said the new rewards program “is not about renaming our different card tiers or how the new cards look like. It is a reminder for us to bring you a galaxy of deals, rewards and benefits.”
About 40 outlets have participated in the loyalty program, he said, giving members the opportunity to earn points when they “dine, shop, stay and play” within the integrated resort, and redeem rewards from the establishments as well.
Nustar Hotels general manager Roel Crisostomo told Lifestyle that Fili Hotel, as well as the soon-to-open Nustar Hotel and Grand Summit Hotel, will provide butler services to qualified members under the program. A training regimen for staff members is underway, with the mentorship coming from established global brands in the hospitality industry.
Retail therapy
For those raring to go on retail therapy, Nustar Mall offers an impressive lineup of international labels, including Louis Vuitton, whose first store outside Metro Manila is found in the property. Global fashion brands Burberry, Loewe, Versace, Givenchy, Saint Laurent, Celine, Tiffany and Gucci also give shoppers more options, with additional stores set to open in the coming months.
Membership is free, and may be easily availed of in the dedicated lounge inside the casino area. Tier levels go higher the more points a member earns. Benefits and perks also increase the higher the tier level is.
“We constantly look up, look for more value to make our rewards program the most valuable card you should have in your wallet. And very soon, that part of your wallet will be fused into your smartphone,” Teo said, referring to the Nustar Rewards mobile app.
“Soon you can do everything in the app, from booking of hotels, booking of restaurant reservations, to redeeming your rewards, participating in draws, etc. There’s more to come,” he said.
Nustar SVP for gaming operations Trevor Hammond told Lifestyle that he believes the new loyalty program will also have a huge impact in growing the property’s gaming sector.
“I think they’ve done a fantastic job in terms of the way they designed the cards. When I see that, the ‘Universe’ card, it’s in comparison to the other operations that I’ve seen,” he said, adding that he has 16 years of experience in Macau, a huge gaming hub in Asia, and has become aware of the program at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Valuable
“This card, and the benefits, are right there among the top companies. And then putting all the other options together, of spending in the hotel, restaurants, and in the mall, it really makes the card very valuable for us,” Hammond added.
Other than the revamped rewards program, the integrated resort property has more to offer Cebuanos. During the Christmas tree lighting ceremony held at the casino atrium on Oct. 25, Katrina Mae De Jesus, AVP for business development and brand marketing, represented the entire company in handing over their donation to Sistemang Pilipino Inc., a nonprofit organization for the performing arts based in Cebu City.
The Christmas tree itself evokes the values that Nustar espouses, through the stars representing “joy, love, hope, peace, and the news stars of Cebu.” Among the personalities presented to carry each of the stars was 2024 Paris Olympics weightlifter Elreen Ando, who is from Cebu City.
Decked with lit-up butterflies that flap their wings, the Christmas tree ushered “Mystical Holiday Magic,” standing majestic on the casino floor, with its star, designed in the Nustar emblem, almost touching the ceiling.
Nustar Resort and Casino is the first and only integrated resort in Visayas and Mindanao, and is also the biggest luxury and lifestyle destination outside Metro Manila. Cebu Pacific has more than a dozen daily flights from Manila to Cebu.
