The MGM Rewards from MGM Resorts International - tier perks now stretch to Formula 1 and more

Reviewed: ad hoc news Software & Services desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-26, 01:39. Details in the imprint.

MGM Rewards from MGM Resorts International starts very simply: a plastic card, a quiet beep at the slot machine, and a small number on the screen ticking up after every spin. Then you notice the bill at checkout looks thinner, and the loyalty program suddenly feels very real.

How MGM Rewards is structured

The MGM Rewards program replaced M life in 2022 and now runs across more than 20 MGM properties in Las Vegas and regional markets, from Bellagio and Aria to MGM Grand Detroit and MGM National Harbor. Members earn MGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits on eligible spend, including gaming, dining and hotel stays. Tier Credits reset every calendar year, and the five public tiers are Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum and the invite-only NOIR.

At entry-level Sapphire, the card mainly tracks activity. Once a player reaches 20,000 Tier Credits in a year, they move to Pearl, which brings free self-parking in Las Vegas and a 10 percent bonus on points. Gold at 75,000 Tier Credits adds priority check-in, waived resort fees when booking direct, and room upgrades where available, which is where many regular guests say the program starts to feel like a travel companion rather than just a card.

Perks that guests feel on site

Standing at the Bellagio front desk after a late flight, a Gold member can often skip part of the line and head to a separate check-in, which is a quiet but very practical perk when the casino floor is humming. MGM highlights that Gold and higher members booking direct have resort fees waived on eligible stays, which can easily run to 40 dollars or more per night on the Strip. At Platinum, reached at 200,000 Tier Credits in a year, guests add room-availability guarantees and an annual travel credit for airfare or experiences, making it relevant for frequent conference visitors as well as gamblers.

Crucially, MGM simplified the earning model so that non-gaming spend matters more: guests earn one MGM Rewards Point per dollar on eligible hotel, dining and entertainment across the portfolio, redeemable for rooms, dining and show tickets. That shift reflects what CEO Bill Hornbuckle has repeatedly stressed in investor calls, namely that MGM wants more value from non-gaming revenue streams as Las Vegas tilts further toward entertainment and events.

New links to sports and Formula 1

One of the newer angles sits right at the Strip’s edge: MGM has tied MGM Rewards into access and packages around major sports events, from Las Vegas Raiders games to last year’s inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. During the race week, qualifying members could redeem points and cash for curated viewing experiences, including terraces along the Strip circuit, showing how a loyalty program can stretch beyond the casino pit. The company has signaled that these kinds of experiential redemptions will remain a focus as it negotiates future event partnerships.

This is not only about spectacle. For MGM, every MGM Rewards card touched at a bar or sportsbook during such events feeds into its data pool, sharpening offers and pricing across the portfolio. That feedback loop is one reason why Hornbuckle calls MGM Rewards a "guest-relationship platform" rather than just a gaming club in recent presentations.

Where MGM Rewards still irritates

There are, however, familiar friction points. Some regulars complain that Tier Credits for slots and table games are still opaque, because earning rates vary by game type, denomination and play length, and MGM only describes the ranges in broad terms on its site. Others grumble about the annual reset of Tier Credits on 1 January, which can be sobering for occasional visitors who hit a higher tier with a big trip and then drop back a year later.

Also, while resort fees may be waived at Gold, the underlying nightly rates in peak periods can still sting, which limits the feeling of a "free" room. Reviewers on US travel forums therefore often recommend that casual guests focus on Pearl for its parking benefits and modest bonus rather than chase the higher tiers unless they already visit multiple times a year.

Digital integration and app use

MGM pushes members toward the MGM Rewards app and the broader MGM Resorts mobile app, where digital cards live alongside mobile check-in and mobile key functions. In practice, this means a guest can walk into MGM Grand, check in via app while in the taxi, and head straight to the room with their phone as the key. On the show floor, linking MGM Rewards to BetMGM accounts adds another digital layer, with online sports-betting and iGaming activity helping generate Tier Credits in eligible states.

For investors, that integration matters because it makes MGM Rewards a bridge between physical resorts and the joint venture BetMGM platform, turning one customer identity into multiple revenue streams. Hornbuckle has described this omnichannel approach as a central pillar of MGM’s strategy in North America.

How the program fits the share story

For MGM, MGM Rewards is less a marketing extra and more a quiet operating system for cross-selling, occupancy and direct bookings. A stronger loyalty ecosystem can cushion volatility in high-end gaming and group business, particularly in Las Vegas, where competition for repeat guests is intense. On 2026-06-24, MGM Resorts International shares (ISIN US5529531015) closed on the New York Stock Exchange at 47.12 US dollars.

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