One of the largest and most popular casino operators in the US will be updating its casino rewards program beginning Feb. 1. MGM Resorts is changing its M Life Rewards program to become MGM Rewards.
In addition to new benefits, MGM Rewards will be updated at all of the 20+ properties in the US. This will allow guests at all of its casinos around the country can earn rewards at the same rate. Prior to this change, MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas casinos had a different earnings threshold than some other properties.
When MGM Rewards debuts, all MGM Resorts casinos around the country will offer more ways to earn and a slew of new benefits. One of the most popular new benefits looks to be waived resort fees for Gold+ members and above (Platinum and Noir).
The changes to MGM Resorts rewards programs won’t affect blackjack players while gambling all that much. The changes will impact blackjack players that spend money at MGM Resorts properties outside of the casino.
MGM Reward Points For Blackjack Players
Table games players at most casinos nowadays are rated based on the game type, average bet, and length of play. This will remain the same for blackjack players at MGM Resorts casinos.
MGM Rewards Points earned for blackjack and other table games will be available to be redeemed the same day beginning Feb. 1.
The major change for players earning rewards will be how many points are offered per dollar spent on non-gaming amenities at MGM Resorts casinos.
New Tier Credit Earnings Per Dollar
MGM Rewards now rewards guests with four (4) Tier Credits per dollar spent on non-gaming amenities. Previously, guests would earn 25 or eight (8) Tier Credits per dollar depending on MGM Resorts’ previous rewards club, M Life Rewards.
Las Vegas customers will see the larger impact of the new Tier Credit earnings threshold. Guests should easily notice that the massive devaluation of points is more than 80%. Guests at smaller regional MGM Resorts casinos will see a relatively modest 50% devaluation of Tier Credits.
This is kind of a big deal. For example, it will now take $6 of spending to earn 24 Tier Credits. Previously Las Vegas guests would earn 25 Tier Credits for every $1. For comparison spending $6 previously earned 150 Tier Credits.
Miles to Memories has a good overview of the new and less-than-stellar Tier Credits policy.
Tier Credits can now be earned on non-gaming spend at all MGM Resorts casinos. Guests at all MGM Resorts properties can now earn MGM Rewards Tier Credits for hotel rooms, spa treatments, dinners, etc.
While guests in Las Vegas are used to this, some of the smaller regional casinos have never offered this. The extra ways to earn credits locally will be useful to some MGM Resorts customers.
Tier Levels Benefits Remain Almost The Same
It will take more money to advance tier levels at MGM Rewards since only one level has a lower earnings threshold. Even though players will earn fewer Tier Credits per dollar, the threshold to reach most upper tiers remains the same.
- Sapphire: All
- Pearl: 20,000 Tier Credits (was 25,000)
- Gold: 75,000 Tier Credits
- Platinum: 200,000 Tier Credits
- Noir: Invite only
MGM Rewards will offer a few new benefits for the different tier levels. Gold, Platinum, and Noir members who book hotel rooms directly with MGM Resorts will have the nightly resort fee waived.
This is a substantial savings of up to $50 per night depending on the property. Additionally, guests can have the fees waived for booking two rooms.
Gold members will receive $100 per year for a celebratory dinner. Platinum members will receive $200 for their celebratory dinner. Noir members receive a $500 dinner credit per year.
Qualifying Platinum members can receive up to $600 travel credit from MGM Resorts. Noir members will receive up to $1,200 for their travel credit.
The Bottom Line
MGM Rewards is such a popular casino loyalty program because it works at a variety of popular Vegas Strip casinos:
- Aria
- Bellagio
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- Mandalay Bay
- The Mirage
- MGM Grand
- New York-New York
- Park MGM
The Cosmopolitan will become part of the MGM Rewards family when the deal to purchase the property closes in the second half of 2022. The regional casinos act almost like a feeder system for guests to stay at MGM Resorts Las Vegas properties.
MGM Rewards now lets guests earn Tier Credits and Slot Dollars at the same rate at every property in the US.
The devaluation of Tier Credits stinks but it puts MGM customers on the same page at all properties. This isn’t great but it will help clear up confusion about earning rewards at different properties.
The different earnings rate was an issue for guests who would visit a local casino and then a Las Vegas property. Players would notice different amounts of points and credits for the same amount of money spent. If nothing else, the program will clear up any confusion.
Machine game players will notice the Tier Credit earnings more than blackjack and other table game players. Machine game players will see the similar ambiguous rating system blackjack players have seen for years. All games will now offer points based on game type, average bet, and length of play.
It’s too early to know if MGM Rewards will be a lot worse than before or just slightly worse because of the devaluation of Tier Credits. Las Vegas visitors will likely notice the change before those visiting local MGM Resorts properties who only saw Tier Credits for gambling.
We should know pretty quickly how the new earning rates work once MGM Rewards is active.
