Key Highlights:
- Free Hotel Stays: MGM Rewards helps you earn complimentary hotel nights based on your overall casino play and spending history, not just one type of reward point.
- Best Elite Benefit: Gold Status removes resort fees on up to two hotel rooms, which can save hundreds of dollars during longer Las Vegas trips.
- Three Reward Balances: MGM Rewards uses Tier Credits to determine your status, Rewards Points for hotel and dining purchases, and Slot Dollars for free slot play.
- Status Match Available: If you already have elite status with another casino loyalty program, you may qualify for an MGM Rewards Tier Match instead of starting from the bottom.
If you visit Las Vegas regularly, joining MGM Rewards is one of the easiest ways to save money on future trips.
The program covers many of the city’s most popular MGM Resorts, including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and several others. Every eligible hotel stay, restaurant purchase, entertainment ticket, and casino session can help you earn rewards.
Unlike many hotel loyalty programs, MGM Rewards doesn’t use just one type of point. Instead, it separates your earnings into different categories that each serve a different purpose. Understanding these categories makes it much easier to maximize the value of every trip.
MGM Rewards Tier Levels
Your membership status depends on how many tier credits you earn during a calendar year.
| Tier | Tier Credits Required | Main Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire | 0–19,999 | Member pricing, mobile check-in, earn rewards | First-time visitors |
| Pearl | 20,000–74,999 | Free self-parking, 10% point bonus | Regular Vegas travelers |
| Gold | 75,000–199,999 | Resort fee waiver, priority lines, enhanced benefits | Frequent visitors |
| Platinum | 200,000+ | Annual airfare credit, cruise offers, priority services | High-value players |
| Noir | Invitation Only | Personal casino host, VIP services, exclusive invitations | Top-tier casino guests |
For many travelers, Gold is considered the most valuable tier because avoiding resort fees can save hundreds of dollars each year.
Understanding the Three Types of MGM Rewards
Tier Credits
Tier credits determine your membership level.
You earn them through eligible hotel stays, dining, entertainment purchases, and casino gaming. They cannot be redeemed for purchases—they simply measure your activity and determine whether you qualify for Pearl, Gold, Platinum, or Noir.
Tier credits reset every January, so members need to earn them again each year to maintain their status.
MGM Rewards Points
Reward points work like spending credits.
You can redeem them toward:
- Hotel charges
- Restaurants
- Drinks
- Entertainment
- Participating retail purchases
The more you spend across MGM Resorts, the more Rewards Points you can use to reduce future vacation costs.
Slot Dollars
Slot dollars are separate from rewards points.
They are earned through eligible slot machines and video poker and can be used as free slot play on participating machines. If you primarily play table games, you’ll earn fewer Slot Dollars than dedicated slot players.
Tips for Getting More Value from MGM Rewards
1. Take Advantage of Tier Match Promotions
If you already have elite status with another casino loyalty program, check whether MGM is offering a tier match.
A successful match can move you directly to Pearl or Gold without earning thousands of Tier Credits first, allowing you to enjoy premium benefits immediately.
2. Gold Status Can Save More Than You Expect
One of the biggest expenses at Las Vegas resorts is the daily resort fee.
Gold members receive complimentary resort fees on up to two booked rooms, making this benefit especially valuable for longer vacations or family trips.
Even a four-night stay can result in significant savings.
3. Charge Purchases to Your Hotel Room
Whenever you eat at an MGM restaurant or buy something inside the resort, ask to charge it to your room instead of paying immediately.
Doing this helps ensure your eligible spending is connected to your MGM Rewards account and counted toward future offers and promotions.
4. Watch for Bonus Tier Credit Events
Throughout the year, MGM frequently runs promotions offering double or triple Tier Credits.
Planning your trip during one of these promotional periods allows you to reach higher status much faster while spending the same amount of money.
Is MGM Rewards Worth Joining?
For anyone staying at MGM properties, the answer is generally yes.
Membership is free, and even occasional visitors can earn discounted hotel rates, promotional offers, and future rewards simply by using their account during each visit.
Frequent Las Vegas travelers receive even greater value. Benefits such as complimentary parking, waived resort fees, bonus points, room offers, and exclusive promotions can quickly outweigh the small effort required to use the program consistently.
Final Tip: Sign up before arriving in Las Vegas and download the MGM Rewards app. It lets you track tier credits, rewards points, available offers, upcoming promotions, hotel reservations, and digital room keys all in one place, making it much easier to get the most value from every MGM Resorts visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do MGM Rewards points expire?
Yes. Sapphire members can lose unused Rewards Points and Slot Dollars after an extended period of account inactivity.
Members with Pearl Status or higher generally receive stronger protection against point expiration while maintaining their tier.
Can couples combine their MGM Rewards accounts?
Yes.
Eligible members living at the same address may be able to create a companion account through MGM Rewards, allowing them to share rewards points while maintaining separate tier credit balances.
Does The Cosmopolitan use MGM Rewards now?
Yes.
The former Identity Rewards program has been integrated into MGM Rewards. Guests can earn and redeem rewards throughout The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas using their MGM Rewards account.
Keep Reading:
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- Las Vegas CityPASS: Is the Explorer Pass Worth It?
- 13 Top-Rated Banks in Las Vegas for Personal and Business Banking
Disclaimer: This post is for informational and vacation-planning purposes only to help you maximize your vacation comps. MGM Rewards tier thresholds, point expiration rules, and property integration timelines (such as the Cosmopolitan Identity transition) change frequently as corporate loyalty structures evolve. We are an independent publication; please verify the most up-to-date account policies, companion account terms, and active tier-match parameters directly at an MGM Rewards desk or via the official mobile app before tracking your spending.