MGM Deal Has Huge Impact on the Las Vegas Strip

MGM Resorts International  (MGM) - Get Free Report has had a long relationship with Hyatt Hotels Corp.  (H) - Get Free Report, dating back over 10 years to June 20, 2013, when MGM's M Life Rewards members gained access to benefits at Hyatt properties worldwide and could opt into the World of Hyatt global loyalty program. 

When the partnership began, MGM's 13 Las Vegas M Life Rewards properties at the time participated in the relationship, including Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, MGM Grand, The Signature, Mandalay Bay, Delano, The Mirage, Park MGM, NoMad Las Vegas, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur. Under the program, members could earn M Life Rewards Tier Credits for eligible stays at participating Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.

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MGM on Feb. 1, 2022, rebranded M Life Rewards as MGM Rewards, which by then included tier-matched benefits such as free cruises on Royal Caribbean Group's  (RCL) - Get Free Report Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Hyatt, MGM End 10-Year Relationship 

After a decade of rewards cooperation, the strategic relationship between MGM Rewards and World of Hyatt is ending Sept. 30. All existing reservations at MGM Resorts Las Vegas destinations booked through Hyatt prior to Sept. 30 will be honored, but World of Hyatt members will no longer be able to redeem or earn points for stays at MGM Resorts with checkouts after Sept. 30.

MGM Rewards Gold members who reached Tier Status through the tier match benefit between Feb. 1, 2023, and July 14, 2023, will have their resort fees waived for direct bookings made through MGM Resorts through Jan. 31, 2024. World of Hyatt members who tier matched into MGM Rewards between Feb. 1, 2023, and July 14, 2023, will receive their tier match status through Jan. 31, 2024.

MGM Reaches a New Agreement With Marriott

Fear not, MGM Rewards members. As they say, when one door closes, another opens. MGM on July 17 revealed a new long-term strategic licensing agreement with Marriott International  (MAR) - Get Free Report that will link MGM Reward members with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program to earn select member benefits and allow Bonvoy members to earn and redeem points for a new MGM relationship. 

The new agreement will also in October create a new MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy that will include 17 MGM resorts in Las Vegas and certain cities across the US. Under the agreement four MGM Las Vegas properties will begin Marriott Collection affiliations -- Bellagio joining the Luxury Collection, Aris joining Autograph Collection, Park MGM joining Tribute Portfolio and The Cosmopolitan continuing with Autograph Collection.

Eight MGM resorts in Las Vegas will join MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, including Vdara Hotel & Spa, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, NoMad Las Vegas, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino, and Excalibur Hotel & Casino.

Finally, five MGM resorts around the US will also join the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, including Borgata in Atlantic City; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss., MGM Grand Detroit, MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.

"This historic, long-term agreement brings together two of the most trusted and iconic brands in hospitality and entertainment," Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "We've seen first-hand the strong demand from Marriott International customers through our existing relationship at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and this new agreement will enable us to further optimize our overall profitability. We're thrilled to now scale the relationship and offer Marriott Bonvoy members greater distribution access to our award-winning resorts – as well as exclusive event and entertainment opportunities - in Las Vegas and across the U.S."

Marriott International also reached a loyalty marketing agreement with MGM Resorts International's online gaming and sports betting joint venture BetMGM, for Marriott Bonvoy to become BetMGM's exclusive hospitality loyalty program partner in the US and Canada.