Buffet ticket yields surprise bounty for visiting diner

A Los Angeles man visiting Las Vegas with his wife to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary over Labor Day weekend won a prize for eating at a buffet.

Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced Erwin James was the millionth person to buy a Buffet of Buffets pass. The pass is for unlimited access to seven Las Vegas buffets for 24 hours.

James and his wife, Dania, spent their anniversary at the Rio. James purchased the buffet pass Saturday afternoon and found he hit the milestone for the program that began in May 2009.

The couple's prize includes a two-night stay at Planet Hollywood Resort, spa treatments, tickets to Las Vegas shows and a gift certificate to restaurants.

James said his strategy to get the most from the buffet pass is to start with a late lunch. He said they visit Las Vegas once a year and always eat at the Carnival World buffet at the Rio, where their friend is a chef.