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Beginning Feb. 1, MGM Rewards will be the new name of the casino loyalty club for MGM Resorts. The new rewards program offers significant changes from its previous incarnation, M Life Rewards.
The new rewards program for MGM Resorts will integrate all of its 20+ US casinos. MGM Rewards will offer rewards for both gambling and cash spending at all properties for the first time.
While most MGM Rewards casinos are in Las Vegas, the company has added multiple properties recently. Over the past five years, MGM Resorts has acquired casinos like Empire City in New York and MGM Northfield Park in Ohio.
These properties will offer the same rewards as MGM’s popular Las Vegas casinos.
MGM Rewards will keep the same tier levels as the previous program, but the changes will include new benefits for each. Existing members will notice a new Tier Credit earning rate and new names for other program features.
One of the popular new tier benefits will be complimentary resort fees for Gold+ MGM Rewards members.
Anil Mansukhani, MGM Resorts’ vice president of Loyalty Marketing, says the new program,
“Was developed as a direct result of customer feedback.” Mansukhani continued to say that MGM Rewards “now offers more ways to earn, more ways to redeem, and more exclusive benefits at MGM Resorts’ 20+ destinations nationwide.”
Tier Credit earnings rate drops
Beginning Feb. 1, MGM Rewards members will earn 4 Tier Credits per dollar spent.
This is a significant downgrade from the 25 Tier Credits guests used to earn per dollar spent under M Life Rewards in Las Vegas. The new rate is more than an 80% devaluation of earning Tier Credits in Las Vegas.
Furthermore, the earning rate is also lower for regional casinos. Members previously earned 8 Tier Credits per dollar spent. While not as bad as Las Vegas, the 50% drop in value isn’t beneficial for guests.
The previous incarnation of MGM Rewards had different rates for some properties that were added to the program. If nothing else, the new earning rate puts spending at all properties on the same level.
Another Tier status change comes with the Express Comp bonus previously available for upper-level members. Pearl members and above used to own an extra 10% and 30% credits towards tier status while playing video poker and slot machines.
In addition, this will only be available as a promotion for Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and Noir members when MGM chooses to offer.
Beginning Feb. 1, MGM Rewards will offer Tier Credits on money spent on hotel accommodations, dining, and spa services at all of its casinos. Gamblers will earn Tier Credits differently. The new MGM Rewards program will be less transparent for gamblers.
MGM Rewards will have a new Tier Credit earning rate. Players will earn Tier Credits playing slot machines and video poker based on length of play, average bet, and game type.
New Tier level benefits at MGM Rewards
MGM Rewards tier level names will remain the same. Fewer Tier Credits will be needed to reach one level of MGM Rewards. There are highlights of the current benefits for each MGM Rewards Tier level:
Sapphire – Entry-level for all
- Best hotel rates when booking direct
- Discount show tickets
Pearl – 20,000 Tier Credits (was 25,000)
- Complimentary self-parking
- Complimentary show tickets
- Invites to member-only promotions
Gold – 75,000 Tier Credits (No change)
- Resort fees are waived when booking direct
- Complimentary hotel room upgrades (view, high floor, etc.)
- $100 Tier achievement celebration dining experience
- Complimentary valet and self-parking
Platinum – 200,000 Tier Credits (No change)
- Up to $600 air travel credit to Las Vegas once per year
- $200 Tier achievement celebration dining experience
- Annual complimentary cruise on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises
The most significant change for MGM Rewards tier level benefits might be complimentary resort fees for Gold members. Consecutively, this is one of the most popular benefits for MGM’s big competitor, Caesars Rewards Diamond tier members.
Las Vegas Tier Credit Promotion
MGM Rewards is rolling out a Tier Credit promotion, and the program changes for members in Las Vegas.
From Feb. 1 to April 30, guests can earn a 2x multiplier on Tier Credits earned at MGM Resorts Las Vegas properties. Members can earn Tier Credits from gaming, hotel accommodations, dining, and spa services.
MGM Resorts Las Vegas properties include:
- Aria
- Bellagio
- Delano
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- Mandalay Bay
- MGM Grand
- The Mirage
- New York-New York
- NoMad
- Park MGM
- Vdara
MGM Resorts’ non-gaming properties are listed since Tier Credits can be earned outside the casinos. Remember, online play with BetMGM online casino and BetMGM Sportsbook counts as well.
Express Comps will become MGM Rewards Points
MGM Reward Points is the new name for Express Comps. Anyone with existing Express Comps will have them transferred to MGM Rewards Points at the same rate as they exist. It may take a week or so for this change to occur for some members.
MGM Rewards members can redeem these points for food, beverages, entertainment, and “MGM Rewards Moments” at all MGM Resorts properties. There are 400 venues at MGM properties that will accept MGM Reward Points.
Guests earn MGM Reward Points playing slot machines, video poker, and table games in the casinos. Beginning Feb. 1, members will earn points when booking hotel rooms directly from MGM Resorts properties.
One point is earned for $1 spent on eligible dining and hotel folio charges.
Point Play will become Slot Dollars
In particular, this name change might make the most sense of all the changes to MGM’s casino reward club. The point play points were earned by playing slots. Similar to most other casino rewards clubs, these will be named Slot Dollars.
All Point Play dollars will become Slot Dollars under MGM Rewards. There’s no change to the value of Slot Dollars from the old name.
MGM Rewards members can use Slot Dollars as Bonus Play in video poker and slot machines.
