MGM Rewards: What to Know

 MGM Rewards is the loyalty program for MGM Resorts, which operates hotels and casinos around the world. It has several marquee properties in Las Vegas, including The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay.

MGM Rewards is based on a straightforward concept: Spending money at MGM hotels and casinos earns points, which can be used for hotel bookings, dining and entertainment. While MGM’s most well-known properties are in Las Vegas, it also operates other MGM Rewards destinations like Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi.

MGM Rewards members earn two different currencies on eligible spending: tier credits and MGM Rewards points. Tier credits count toward earning elite status, and points can be redeemed on spending at MGM Rewards properties. Regardless of status tier, members earn 4 tier credits and 1 MGM Rewards point per $1 spent on stays and dining at MGM Rewards properties.

MGM Rewards tier benefits

Members accumulate tier credits to determine status during the MGM Rewards tier status earning year from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. You will receive status benefits immediately upon meeting tier credit thresholds, and earned status is valid through the next tier status benefit year, which ends Jan. 31. If you earn status in August 2025, your benefits will last through January 2027.

Here's how many credits are required for each tier — and some notable benefits that come with each tier:

Starting in 2025, the tier celebration credits replace the previous tier achievement dining credits. That gives MGM Rewards members more flexibility in how they choose to use their credit, whether it’s for dining, hotel stays, spa services or more.

For 2025, MGM Rewards is offering rollover tier credits after meeting certain tier credit thresholds. If you earn 50,000 tier credits, you’ll start the 2026 tier status earning year with 7,500 tier credits. Earn an additional 17,500 tier credits after reaching 125,000 tier credits. Think of it as a head start bonus toward earning elite status next year.

While rollover tier credits were introduced as a promotion for 2025, Anil Mansukhani, MGM Resorts' vice president of loyalty marketing, told NerdWallet that MGM is currently evaluating member feedback to determine whether to continue the benefit in future years.

MGM Rewards credit cards

MGM Rewards offers two credit cards: the MGM Rewards World Elite Mastercard and the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard. MGM credit cards earn MGM Mastercard points, which are worth 1 cent per point. Those points can be converted to MGM Rewards points redeemable for hotel stays, dining, entertainment and more at MGM destinations. You can also use them as Slot Dollars for FreePlay at participating slot machines.

The fastest way to earn MGM points with the credit cards is by using them at MGM Rewards destinations. To make sure you get credit for your purchases, it’s easiest to charge everything to your room and pay the bill with your card. Any points and tier credits earned based on MGM credit card spending at MGM properties is in addition to any rewards you would typically earn.

MGM Rewards World Elite Mastercard

The MGM Rewards World Elite Mastercard has no annual fee. Most of the features are basic, but it comes with automatic entry-level Pearl elite status, which includes free self-parking at MGM Rewards destinations. It also means your points won’t expire even if you don’t make it to Las Vegas very often. Additional benefits include:

• Earnings: 3 tier credits and 3 points per $1 spent at MGM Rewards destinations; 2 tier credits and 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations and supermarkets; and 1 tier credit and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else, including BetMGM deposits.

• Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 points (worth $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

• Priority hotel check-in.

• No foreign transaction fees.

MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard

The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard has a $249 annual fee, and it offers travel perks to help offset the fee, as well as higher rewards earning rates, which can be helpful for those chasing elite status. Here’s what’s included:

• Earnings: 6 points and 6 tier credits per $1 spent at MGM Rewards destinations; 2 points and 2 tier credits per $1 spent at hotels, dining, gas stations and grocery stores; 1 point and 1 tier credit per $1 spent everywhere else, including BetMGM deposits.

• Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 points (worth $400) and 10,000 tier credits when you spend $5,000 in the first three months.

• $200 resort credit upon account opening and on every cardmember anniversary.

• Earn 10,000 tier credits and a complimentary night (up to $250) after spending $25,000 on the card each cardmember year.

• Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

• Priority Pass lounge membership (charged at $35 per visit).

• Automatic Pearl status, which includes free self-parking at MGM Rewards destinations.

• Priority hotel check-in..

• Trip insurance benefits.

• No foreign transaction fees.

This card makes the most sense for people who are all in on the MGM ecosystem. Assuming you use the $200 resort credit, you’re paying $49 to earn an additional 3 points and 3 tier credits at MGM Rewards destinations compared to what you’d earn on the no-fee card. Given that points are worth 1 cent each, you would need to spend $1,634 at MGM Rewards destinations each year to earn back the $49.

MGM Rewards partner benefits

MGM Rewards members can take advantage of partnerships with other travel and hospitality companies. Some partnerships provide more value than others. Here are some worth noting:

Earn, redeem and transfer Marriott Bonvoy points

MGM’s partnership with Marriott Bonvoy offers perks like:

• Status match for MGM Rewards Pearl and above members to Marriott Bonvoy elite status tiers.

• The opportunity to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at participating MGM properties.

• The ability to transfer points between the two programs.

Keep in mind that you can’t double dip on earnings. If you book through Marriott channels, you will earn Marriott Bonvoy points on room rates, room upgrade fees, in-room dining and mini-bar charges only. If you book through MGM, you’ll earn MGM Rewards points on those charges instead. All spending at on-property venues, such as restaurants, the spa and entertainment, will earn MGM Rewards points. To earn rewards, make sure you attach your applicable loyalty numbers to your reservation.

To earn more Marriott Bonvoy points, charge on-property spending to your room and pay with a Marriott credit card. That way, you’ll earn additional Marriott points since the MGM Collection is part of Marriott Bonvoy. Some Marriott cards even include a free night each year either automatically or after meeting a spending threshold.

You can also take advantage of two-way point transfers at a ratio of 10 Marriott Bonvoy points to 8 MGM Rewards points. You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 points per transaction, and there’s an annual maximum of 30,000 points transferred in each direction.

Not all MGM Resorts properties are a part of the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. International properties are excluded, as well as NoMad Las Vegas, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts and MGM Northfield Park. MGM Rewards members will not earn points or tier credits at Marriott Bonvoy properties outside of the MGM Collection.

Take a free cruise and get other benefits on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean and its sibling brand Celebrity Cruises offer valuable perks for MGM Rewards members, particularly at higher status levels.

Annual cruise benefit

Members with Gold elite status and above can get a complimentary cruise for two each year. Eligible Gold members can get up to five nights in an oceanview stateroom, while eligible Platinum members can receive up to seven nights in a balcony stateroom. If you have invite-only Noir status, you can get up to 10 nights in a junior suite or the luxurious Concierge Class with Celebrity Cruises.

MGM determines the number of nights you get based on your MGM Resorts spending and gaming play. If you don’t like your options, you can also trade in your complimentary cruise for a credit toward a different cruise.

Other benefits

MGM Rewards members can access additional benefits, including FreePlay credits for all members that can be used to play slots and tables at the onboard casino, Gold members and above get a welcome amenity and additional onboard credits that are prepaid into your account and eligible to be spent anywhere onboard, as well as on shore excursions.

Southwest Airlines

You can earn 600 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for stays at a qualifying property when you give your Rapid Rewards account number at check-in. However, this is an either-or situation, and you’ll have to choose between earning Southwest points and MGM points. Southwest Airlines is a major carrier at the Las Vegas airport, so it makes sense that they have a partnership with MGM. If you book directly with an MGM property or through the MGM Rewards website, you’ll still be able to earn 4 tier credits per eligible $1 spent.

NerdWallet values Southwest points at 1.3 cents per point. Depending on how much your stay costs, this could be a great deal (especially during the summer when temperatures soar and room rates drop) or a terrible one.

» Learn more: The ultimate guide on Southwest flights to Vegas

How to spend MGM Rewards points

MGM Rewards points are worth 1 cent per point, whether you use them as Slot Dollars or redeem them for spending at MGM Rewards destinations. In order to redeem your MGM Rewards points for eligible charges at MGM properties, you’ll need to visit the hotel’s MGM Rewards desk and ask them to apply your points toward your expenses.

MGM Rewards status match

If you have elite status with an eligible competitor, MGM Rewards will occasionally run status match challenges. For example, the MGM 2025 status match challenge allows you to instantly upgrade to Gold or Platinum status by presenting a valid VIP loyalty card from a competitor at an MGM Rewards desk between March 1 and July 31, 2025. Complimentary matched status is valid for 90 days.

For the 2025 challenge, you can extend your Gold status through Jan. 31, 2027, by earning an additional 50,000 tier credits during the trial period. Platinum status can be extended by earning an additional 150,000 tier credits.

However, having matched or extended status isn’t enough to qualify you for tier celebration credits, air travel credits or annual cruise benefits. You must earn the regular number of tier credits required for each status tier to be eligible for these benefits.