Marriott and MGM Launch Partnership

In July 2023, MGM Resorts and Marriott International announced a future partnership that would entail long-term licensing and the creation of MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. The agreement was set to be in effect as of October 2023, but was pushed back until early 2024.

The partnership is now fully in effect, and we know all the details about what members can expect.

Marriott and MGM Launch Long-Term Partnership

Marriott and MGM have entered a long-term partnership that is set to last 20 years.

The agreement consists of multiple facets, signifying a deep, robust cooperation between MGM and Marriott. However, three aspects of the partnership are particularly interesting:

• Synergy between Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards
• The creation of MGM Collection With Marriott Bonvoy
• Flagging of four properties under Marriott’s “soft brands”

Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards members can link their accounts between both loyalty programs, which we’ll discuss in detail below.

MGM Rewards members will then get to access benefits at Marriott properties, while Marriott Bonvoy members, in turn, will be eligible to earn points and redeem for nights at MGM properties.

Meanwhile, 17 MGM properties in Las Vegas and the rest of the US have joined the Marriott umbrella. Under the agreement, the properties are available for reservations through Marriott sales channels, in addition to MGM’s own sales channels.

Four of the 16 are flagged under Marriott’s “soft brands”:

• Bellagio Resort & Casino (The Luxury Collection)
• ARIA Resort & Casino (Autograph Collection)
• Park MGM (Tribute Portfolio)
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (to continue as Autograph Collection)

On the other hand, 12 properties are marketed under the encompassing MGM Collection With Marriott Bonvoy brand:

• 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 and Casino
• Excalibur Hotel & Casino
• Borgata (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
• Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Mississippi)
• MGM Grand Detroit (Michigan)
• MGM National Harbor (Maryland)
• MGM Springfield (Massachusetts)

Note that Mandalay Bay, Delano, NoMad Las Vegas, and understandably, the Four Seasons Las Vegas, aren’t part of the agreement.

What’s In Store for Marriott Bonvoy Members?

With the integration now complete, we know all the details about what’s in store for Marriott Bonvoy members at MGM Resort properties.

Earning Points

Marriott Bonvoy members earn Bonvoy points and elite night credits at MGM properties as if they were staying at most Marriott brands:

• The baseline earning rate is still 10 Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 (USD) in qualifying charges
• Multipliers on Bonvoy points for elite members will apply
• Members will earn one elite qualifying night per night at participating MGM properties
• Stays at participating MGM properties will code as Marriott spend when paid with a co-branded card

However, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Stays must be booked through Marriott sales channels (e.g. Marriott website and app) for them to count as a qualifying stay; stays booked through other channels, including with MGM directly, won’t earn Bonvoy points or elite nights
• Resort fees and taxes won’t count towards Marriott Bonvoy qualifying charges
• Room charges and other qualifying charges for Marriott Bonvoy won’t earn MGM Rewards Tier Credits or MGM Rewards Points
• Conversely, restaurant, bar, entertainment, spa, and retail charges won’t count as qualifying charges for Marriott Bonvoy, but will for MGM Rewards

Free Night Awards, Points Redemptions, and Nightly Upgrade Awards

Free Night Awards and points may be redeemed for stays at participating MGM Resort properties, but resort fees must still be paid, unless you’re an Ambassador Elite member.

All eligible properties are now open to bookings, which means that you’re able to redeem points at MGM properties throughout Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, Nightly Upgrade Awards cannot be redeemed at MGM Resorts.

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Member Benefits

Marriott and MGM have released a modified list of benefits that Marriott Bonvoy Elite members may expect at participating properties.

As well, Ambassador Elite members receive the following exclusive benefits, amongst others:

• Waived resort fees for up to two rooms (paid or redemption)
• Complimentary 1pm early check-in
• One suite upgrade per year in Las Vegas for up to three nights (without a need for Nightly Upgrade Awards)
• Complimentary self-parking during stay
• Guaranteed hotel reservations within 24 hours
• Fine dining priority reservations
• Dedicated lines at participating restaurants, buffet, and cashiers cage
• VIP line access to select nightclubs in Las Vegas (member plus one guest)
• Priority access to pool cabana, spa, and salon reservations
• Discounts to select shows

Note that all the Ambassador benefits above, as well as the late check-out benefit for Platinum Elite and up, have an expiration date of December 31, 2024, which suggests that it’s a trial period.

In addition, Marriott and MGM state that the benefits above apply to all MGM Resorts destinations. This means you’ll be receiving the diluted set of benefits above, even at the following Marriott soft-brand properties:

• Bellagio Resort & Casino (The Luxury Collection)
• ARIA Resort & Casino (Autograph Collection)
• Park MGM (Tribute Portfolio)
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (Autograph Collection)

Relationship Between Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards

Lastly, Marriott and MGM have now revealed how the relationship between the two programs will work.

First and foremost, the status match between the two programs is unidirectional – until December 31, 2024, MGM Rewards elite members will be allowed to status match to Marriott Bonvoy as follows:

• MGM Rewards Gold members will receive Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
• MGM Rewards Platinum members will receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• MGM Rewards NOIR members will receive Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status

Unfortunately, a status match from Marriott Bonvoy to MGM Rewards won’t be available, unlike with the former World of Hyatt and MGM partnership.

Instead, Marriott Bonvoy members may transfer points to MGM Rewards (and vice versa) at the following rates:

• 10 Marriott Bonvoy points can be converted to 8 MGM Rewards points
• 10 MGM Rewards points can be converted to 8 Marriott Bonvoy points

Conclusion

Marriott International and MGM Resorts have signed a long-term partnership that entails licensing and the creation of MGM Collection With Marriott Bonvoy. The agreement will take effect in early 2024, and will last for at least 20 years.

More details have emerged about the partnership. Foremost, Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to earn and redeem points for stays at MGM Resorts, as they would for any other Marriott-affiliated property.

However, a modified set of benefits will apply for Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, with the most lucrative perks only given to Ambassador Elite members.

Lastly, there will be a status match from MGM Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy, but unfortunately, not the other way around.