MGM Rewards: What To Know

Frequent Las Vegas travelers can earn bonus points on slot machines and hotel perks with MGM Rewards.
Michael Friedman
By Michael Friedman 
Updated
Edited by Mary M. Flory

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MGM Rewards is the loyalty program for MGM Resorts — the owner and operator of casinos around the world — with several properties in Las Vegas, such as The Mirage, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay. Recently rebranded from M life Rewards, MGM Rewards is based on a straightforward concept: Spend money at the hotels and casinos and they’ll give you points, which you can use for hotel bookings, dining and entertainment.

MGM Rewards members earn two different currencies on eligible spending: Tier Credits and MGM Rewards Points. The former count toward earning higher status tiers (more on that below) and the latter 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.

Tier benefits

Tier credits accumulate from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 to generate your status, which begins on Feb. 1 each year. If you boost your status during the year, you will enjoy the new status for at least a full year. The credits currently required for each tier and notable benefits are listed below.

Many of these benefits are new as of the program rebranding, so even if you’re already a status-holding member, read up to learn what perks are now available.

Tier

How to attain status

Notable new benefits

Sapphire

Granted at sign-up.

  • Earn MGM Rewards Points on entertainment, dining and room stays at MGM Rewards properties.

  • Earn Slot Dollars when you play Slots, Video Poker and Video Lottery Terminals at MGM Rewards properties.

  • Lowest rate guarantee when booking rooms directly.

Pearl

20,000 Tier Credits (or match with World of Hyatt Discoverist status).

  • All Sapphire perks.

  • 10% Slot Dollars earning bonus.

  • Free self-parking at MGM Rewards properties.

  • Rewards points don’t expire.

Gold

75,000 Tier Credits (or match with Hyatt Explorist or Globalist status).

  • All Pearl and Sapphire perks.

  • 20% Slot Dollars earning bonus.

  • Waived resort fees on up to two rooms when booked direct.

  • Dedicated lines at hotel check-in and some restaurants.

  • $100 dining credit at participating MGM restaurants.

Platinum

200,000 Tier Credits.

  • All Gold, Pearl and Sapphire perks.

  • 30% Slot Dollars earning bonus.

  • 4 p.m. check-out.

  • Annual suite upgrade in Las Vegas.

  • $200 dining credit at MGM-owned restaurants.

  • $600 air travel credit on flights to Las Vegas.

  • Complimentary annual cruise for two on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.

  • Expedited valet and taxi service.

Noir

Invite only.

  • All Platinum, Gold, Pearl and Sapphire perks.

  • 40% Slot Dollars earning bonus.

  • $500 dining credit at MGM-owned restaurants.

  • $1,200 air travel credit on flights to Las Vegas.

  • Upgraded cruise services.

The co-branded Mastercard

MGM Rewards has a credit card. Most of the features are basic, but it’s a good way to keep your points from expiring if you don’t make it to Las Vegas very often. Overall though, this is a mediocre card. Here's what's included:

  • There’s no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

  • You earn 1 tier credit and 1 base point per $1 spent. Those earnings double at gas stations and supermarkets, and triple at M life destinations.

  • You receive 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

  • Automatic Pearl status.

  • Priority check-in.

Partner promotions

MGM Rewards has several partnerships, ranging from "meh" to very valuable. Here are a couple of the most interesting ones.

World of Hyatt

The partnership with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts is arguably the most valuable. It includes:

  • Reciprocal elite benefits and status matching.

  • The ability to use World of Hyatt points at participating MGM Rewards hotels.

  • The opportunity to earn the partner’s reward currency for your stay.

This partnership, however, will be ending Sept. 30, 2023, and MGM Rewards members must match their status with Hyatt by July 14, 2023 to enjoy reciprocal benefits. Though the Hyatt partnership may be ending, MGM has announced a forthcoming partnership with Marriott Bonvoy set to launch in 2024. Read can more on that here.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is one of the most scheduled airliners serving Las Vegas, so it’s appropriate that they have a partnership with MGM. You can earn 600 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for stays at a qualifying property. But you can only earn Rapid Rewards or MGM Rewards points — no double-dipping.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity

Royal Caribbean International and its sibling brand Celebrity have some valuable perks, particularly at the higher levels. Even Pearl, the first elite level, gets you access to a special lounge for departure, but the benefits climb rapidly from there.

Plus, members with the highest levels of elite status can get a complimentary cruise each year. Qualifying Platinum Members receive one cruise for two per year in an Oceanview Stateroom consisting of a 3, 4, or 5 night Bahamas or Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises.

NOIR Members receive one cruise for two per year in a Balcony Stateroom consisting of a 7-Night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean or 7-Night Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Cruises.

The bottom line

If you’re a frequent traveler to Las Vegas, you’ll want to make sure you compare the MGM Rewards program closely with the Caesars Rewards program. The two make up the vast majority of on-strip properties in Las Vegas and you’ll earn rewards faster and stretch your earning further if you focus spending and play on one rewards program.

Frequently asked questions

Tier Credits determine your elite level in the MGM Rewards program, which in turn determines what perks you are entitled to at MGM Resorts. You receive 4 Tier Credits per $1 spent on stays and dining at MGM Rewards properties.

MGM Reards Noir level is available by invitation only and doesn't have any posted requirements to earn it. It is the highest published tier level of the MGM Rewards program.

To archive MGM RewardsGold status, you need to earn 75,000 Tier Credits. Tier Credits accumulate from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 to determine your status, which begins on Feb. 1 each year.

Your MGM Rewards Tier Credits expire (or reset to zero) each calendar year on Jan. 1. Tier Credits are only used to gauge your elite level status within the program; they aren't used for redemption purposes. Previously, Tier Credits used to expire on Sept. 30, but MGM Rewards has transitioned to a calendar year system.

Most of the co-branded Mastercard’s features are basic, but it’s a good way to keep your points from expiring if you don’t make it to Las Vegas very often. It doesn't have an annual fee and comes with Pearl status. Overall, though, it is a mediocre card if you’re interested in valuable rewards for broader spending.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Points
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-6.5%

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
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