No Marriott match to MGM, but elite nights live on: MGM / Marriott partnership details

Today, Marriott has announced the details of its coming partnership with MGM Rewards in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of disappointing news in that there will not be a reciprocal status match for both sides and benefits for Marriott members will be incredibly thin. On the flip side, it will still be possible to earn 1 elite night per night stayed at MGM properties in Las Vegas and Marriott Platinum members and above will get the option to choose a food and beverage credit….but don’t expect that credit to actually get you breakfast. There is a lot to unpack here and much of it is disappointing, but there are a couple of silver-toned linings.

MGM status will temporarily match to Marriott (sort of), but not the other way around

There is going to be a linking of status, but there is very, very little to excited about for all but the speediest of Marriott members or the highest of high rollers from the MGM side — and even then, some of the benefits are only temporary.

Those with MGM Rewards Gold status and above can link their accounts to their Marriott Bonvoy accounts and tier match into the Marriott Bonvoy program and enjoy Marriott elite benefits as follows:

• MGM Rewards Gold –> Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite
  • Ultimate reservation guarantee
  • Free in-room Wi-Fi
  • Late checkout (based on availability)
  • 10% Marriott Bonvoy Bonus points on eligible spend
• MGM Rewards Platinum –> Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
  • Ultimate Reservation guarantee
  • Free in-room Wi-Fi
  • 2pm checkout (based on availability)
  • 25% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on eligible spend
  • Enhanced room upgrades (based on availability)
• MGM Rewards NOIR –> Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
  • Ultimate reservation guarantee
  • Your24 check-in and check-out flexibility
  • Free in-room Wi-Fi
  • Lounge access
  • Ambassador service
  • Nightly upgrade awards
  • 4pm checkout based on availability
  • 75% Marriott Bonvoy bonus
  • Enhanced room upgrade, including select suites (based on availability)

That’s interesting on several levels, but let’s start with a key caveat: Initial tier status match and benefits are valid through December 31, 2024. At this point, we don’t know if the above matching will continue beyond that date.  It won’t be worth dedicating 2024 to going after elite status with MGM as it sounds like the above benefits will only be valid this year — so if you don’t achieve MGM status until October or November, you may not get Marriott benefits for long.

That said, I can’t imagine anyone chasing MGM status for the Marriott benefits here since MGM Platinum and below don’t really match to meaningful Marriott levels. MGM tier credits are earned at a clip of 1 tier credit per dollar spent on things like room, resort fee, and eligible dining and entertainment spend at MGM resorts. You can additionally earn tier points with the MGM Rewards Mastercard: earn 3 tier points per dollar spent at MGM properties, 2 tier points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores, and 1 tier point per dollar spent everywhere else. Tier credits are also earned when gambling, but the amount varies by bet type & amount as well as game. MGM Gold requires 75,000 points….and that would only get you Marriott Silver status. MGM Platinum status requires 200,000 MGM tier points….and that gets you Marriott Gold, which isn’t even enough for free breakfast at Marriott properties. An MGM customer who wants Marriott elite perks would be better off getting a credit card since it is possible to get instant Marriott Gold or even Marriott Platinum status with a credit card — no need to gamble copious amounts or put huge spend on an MGM credit card if you want Marriott benefits (that isn’t to say that there aren’t other MGM Platinum benefits that might matter to you, just that the Marriott status won’t move the needle much).

There is a huge jump for MGM NOIR members, who will receive Marriott Ambassador perks, but presumably the average customer gambling enough to be granted invite-only NOIR status with MGM could probably meet the Ambassador spending threshold. I’m sure that’s what Marriott is thinking as well and I think it makes good sense for both sides to have the NOIR-to-Ambassador match.

It’s disappointing that there isn’t an MGM match to Marriott Platinum status and more disappointing yet that there isn’t a match from Marriott status to MGM. As a reminder, when MGM partnered with World of Hyatt, World of Hyatt Explorist and above matched to MGM Gold. I guess MGM didn’t want to waive resort fees for any segment of Marriott’s member base.

Marriott elite member benefits at MGM Collection properties

While there will sadly be no status match for Marriott Bonvoy members to get MGM status, there are some benefits that will be extended to Marriott Bonvoy members at MGM Collection properties.

Which MGM properties are in the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy?

As a reminder, here are the 16 MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy properties at which benefits will apply

Las Vegas

• Vdara Hotel & Spa
• MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
• New York-New York Hotel & Casino
• Luxor Hotel & Casino
• Excalibur Hotel & Casino
• Bellagio Resort & Casino (The Luxury Collection)
• ARIA Resort & Casino (Autograph Collection)
• Park MGM Las Vegas (Tribute Portfolio)
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (Autograph Collection)

Atlantic City, New Jersey

• Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Biloxi, Mississippi

• Beau Rivage Resort & Casino

Detroit, Michigan

• MGM Grand Detroit

Oxon Hill, Maryland

• MGM National Harbor

Springfield, Massachusetts

• MGM Springfield

When the list was originally announced in 2023, there were 17 properties listed. It looks like NoMad, the hotel-within-a-hotel concept inside ParkMGM, has been removed from the list. Similarly, Delano (another hotel-within-a-hotel concept but within Mandalay Bay) is not included in the list of properties where Marriott members will receive benefits in Las Vegas.

What benefits will Marriott Bonvoy members enjoy at MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy properties?

Marriott elite members will receive the following benefits at MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy properties:

Silver Elite 

• 10% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on Qualifying Charges

Gold Elite  

• 25% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on Qualifying Charges
• Welcome gift of 500 Marriott Bonvoy points per stay

Platinum Elite 

• 50% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on Qualifying Charges
• Enhanced room upgrades, based upon availability
• Priority Check-In Line
• Complimentary 2:00 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability)*
• Welcome gift of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per stay or $15 F&B credit per night of stay

Titanium Elite  

• 75% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on Qualifying Charges
• Enhanced room upgrades, based upon availability
• Priority Check-In Line
• Complimentary 2:00 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability)*
• Welcome gift of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per stay or $15 F&B credit per night of stay

Ambassador Elite 

• 75% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on Qualifying Charges
• Waived resort fee*
• One suite upgrade at a Las Vegas Hotel per year, up to 3-night stay*
• Enhanced room upgrades, based upon availability
• Complimentary 1:00 p.m. early check-in and 4 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability)*
• Welcome gift of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per stay or $15 F&B credit per night of stay
• Complimentary self-parking*
• Priority access on dining and check-in*
• 15% retail discounts

Interestingly, all of the benefits with an asterisk are only available during a promotional period ending December 31, 2024. In other words, you may only enjoy those benefits for a very short time if you only achieve Marriott status late in the year.

The food and beverage credit applies at all 16 participating properties. Since MGM properties in Las Vegas allow cross-resort charging to one’s folio, I think it will probably be possible to use your food & beverage credit at a property that is different than the one at which you’re staying. For instance, if you check in at Excalibur, you can charge your meal at the Bellagio buffet to your Excalibur folio. I imagine you’ll be able to use your food & beverage credit toward that charge — just be sure to choose the F&B credit as your welcome gift when you check in rather than the points (unless you would rather have the points).

No free parking for most Marriott Bonvoy members

Reader Too Many points out in the comments that it is surprising that only Marriott Ambassador members get free parking, and then only free self-parking. That is a huge hit. This past weekend, I had a rental car in Las Vegas and I valet parked for free with MGM Gold status at both Aria and Bellagio. When I lose MGM Gold status on February 1st, I’ll be stuck paying for parking — and it ain’t cheap. Here is the Global MGM parking terms and conditions for MGM properties in Las Vegas:

GLOBAL PARKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Vehicles that are self-parked at any MGM Resorts parking facility for longer than one hour will be subject to a parking fee. The self-parking fee is $9 for vehicles parked between 1-2 hours, $15 for vehicles parked between 2-4 hours and $18 for vehicles parked between 4-24 hours at the following resorts: Bellagio, Aria & Vdara. The self-parking fee is $9 for vehicles parked between 1-2 hours, $12 for vehicles parked between 2-4 hours and $15 for vehicles parked between 4-24 hours at the following resorts: Mandalay Bay, Delano, MGM Grand Las Vegas, The Mirage, Monte Carlo & New York New York. The self-parking fee is $6 for vehicles parked between 1-2 hours, $8 for vehicles parked between 2-4 hours and $10 for vehicles parked between 4-24 hours at the following resorts: Luxor and Excalibur.

The valet fee is $21 for vehicles parked between 1-2 hours, $24 for vehicles parked between 2- 4 hours and $30 for vehicles parked between 4-24 hours at the following resorts: Bellagio, Aria & Vdara. The valet fee is $16 for vehicles parked between 1-2 hours, $18 for vehicles parked between 2-4 hours and $24 for vehicles parked between 4-24 hours at the following resorts: Mandalay Bay, Delano, MGM Grand Las Vegas, The Mirage, Monte Carlo & New York New York. The valet is $12 for vehicles parked between 1-2 hours, $14 for vehicles parked between 2-4 hours and $16 for vehicles parked between 4-24 hours at the following resorts: Luxor and
Excalibur. All parking fees repeat every 24 hours. Parking fees may be higher during special events.
Self-parking is complimentary for M life members level Pearl and higher and valet parking is complimentary for M life members level Gold and higher. All complimentary parking is subject to availability.
For registered hotel guests, the 24 hour parking fee (self or valet) includes “in and out” privileges at the guest’s originating MGM resort and also includes the same “in and out” parking privileges at any other MGM resort within the same 24 hour period, subject to availability. Parking fees are subject to change and parking is subject to availability.

Can you earn Marriott elite credit at MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy properties?

Yes, Marriott Rewards members will earn 1 elite night credit per night spent at MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy properties.

I was told that Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to enjoy select Marriott Bonvoy benefits when they book MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy hotels through Marriott’s booking channels. I tried to clarify whether Marriott members will also earn elite night credits and get benefits when booking through MGM Rewards. I wasn’t explicitly told that they wouldn’t, so my best guess is that we will probably earn Marriott elite night credit even when booking through MGM just as was the case in the past with the Hyatt partnership, though likely only on paid nights (not complimentary ones) and we’ll have to confirm this with experience after the full partnership launches “early this year”.

Reader Jon points out that the Frequently Asked Questions now indicate that most stays booked through MGM will not count for elite status. This effectively makes the partnership dead in the water as far as I’m concerned. MGM has always offered much better rates to its own members than what you can find publicly. I can’t imagine it would be worth booking via Marriott given what I’m sure will be much higher rates.

Here is the pertinent section of the FAQs:

Stays booked through the following methods at MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy destinations are not considered Qualifying Stays:

MGM Resorts websites

MGM Rewards Mobile App

MGM Rewards website

MGM Resorts Call Center (non-prevailing rates such as casino offers, MGM Rewards member discounts, etc.)

Tour operator, online travel channel, or other third-party channel (such as Expedia, Hotwire, Priceline, etc.)

Booked at a group rate as part of an event, meeting, conference or organized tour

Booked at a tour operator, wholesaler, or airline crew room rate or package including, without limitation, organized tours or package bookings

Booked at a complimentary rate

Booked with a voucher or third-party award

Contracted rooms

It will be possible to transfer points between Marriott and MGM….but not at a great value

One piece of interesting news to come from the announcement is that MGM Rewards members who have also enrolled in Marriott Bonvoy will be able to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to their MGM Rewards account or transfer MGM Rewards points to their Marriott Bonvoy account.

That tidbit may be interesting for folks who do spend / earn a lot of points at MGM properties or with the MGM credit card since it will give them an additional redemption option. On the flip side, it will provide an avenue to potentially cash out points since MGM Rewards points can be used to cover a variety of charges at MGM resorts or converted to the BetMGM Rewards in the sportsbook app for those who are located in a state with online sportsbooks. I believe rewards convert 1:1 from MGM Rewards to BetMGM Rewards and that BetMGM Rewards can then be redeemed for free bets at a value of 1c per point.

Update: View from the Wing reports that points will not transfer 1:1. Instead, 10 Marriott Bonvoy points will become 8 MGM Rewards points or 10 MGM Rewards points will become 8 Marriott Bonvoy points. In other words, if you had 10,000 Marriott points and transferred to MGM, you’d get 8,000 MGM Rewards points. If you then changed your mind and transferred those 8,000 points back to Marriott, you’d end up with 6,400 Marriott points. There is essentially a hidden fee to transfer between the programs. This is not going to be a valuable benefit for most.

My take on these announcements

Overall, I’m pretty disappointed with the way this partnership is coming together.

First of all, it is a major disappointment that there will not be a reciprocal elite status match but rather matching will be a temporary one-way street for MGM Rewards members. It’s a bummer that not even Marriott Platinum members and above will have a path to MGM Gold and waived resort fees in Las Vegas (particularly when you compare it to the fact that Hyatt Explorist, which requires just 30 elite nights, matched to MGM Gold last year).

The Marriott benefits at MGM Collection properties are thin. A Priority Check-in Line will certainly be nice (I’ve skipped past huge lines in the past with MGM Gold status thanks to a priority check-in line), but “enhanced room upgrades” are likely totally meaningless in Las Vegas, where properties are incredibly stingy with complimentary upgrades unless you’re tipping the front desk agent. Complimentary late checkout will be “subject to availability” and since Las Vegas resorts are so invested in charging for it that MGM actually awards points and tier credit based on spend for early check-in and late check-out charges, I don’t expect complimentary checkout to be available often (or maybe ever).

The option to choose a $15 F&B credit per night as a welcome gift for Platinum members and above at all 16 participating MGM Collection properties is kind of nice, particularly on the low end (at properties like Excalibur and Luxor, where room rates are often very low). However, it isn’t going to go far: that won’t even get you two slices of pizza at MGM Grand. I was in Las Vegas this weekend and a chai tea drink at a Starbucks in my resort cost me more than $10 — a Coca-cola was more than $6. I find it particularly disappointing that Marriott is playing up the fact that a few properties are joining existing Marriott brands (like Aria joining Autograph Collection), yet they aren’t offering the brand-standard option for Platinum members and above to choose complimentary daily breakfast for the member + 1 guest as a welcome gift. Still, you’ll want to choose the $15 F&B credit per night of stay rather than points in most scenarios (and certainly on a multi-night stay).

I do think that the conversion of points will be useful in some scenarios and I’m sure that many people will benefit from earning elite night credit with Marriott at the participating MGM properties. Whether you’re trying to pick up cheap nights or you just earn Marriott points and elite nights based on stays you’d have made in Las Vegas anyway, I’m sure that many members will be happy for the partnership. Unfortunately, given the lack of ability to match from Marriott status to MGM status, those nights will be ~$40 more expensive per night than they used to be for Hyatt Explorists and above since there will no longer be a path to a waived resort fee for Marriott members as there was for Hyatt members. That’s a significant downgrade in the partnership. To be clear, it isn’t entirely unexpected: I’m not surprised that MGM doesn’t want to give up the potential revenue by waiving resort fees for a customer base the size of Marriott’s elite ranks. On the other hand, they could just increase their room rates accordingly and wipe out the resort fee concept altogether….but I wouldn’t place any bets on that happening any time soon.

Overall, there is some good news here in terms of elite night earnings and points conversion and a daily food and beverage credit at all 16 participating properties for Marriott elite members. The Marriott partnership isn’t as strong as the Hyatt partnership was, but it’s good to finally get some details about how it will play out. We don’t yet know when all of the above will begin, but we expect it to happen sometime relatively soon since Marriott is still saying “early 2024”.

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