What a morning to sleep in and miss all the emails! Hyatt, one of my favorite brands, has teamed up with MGM Resorts to offer reciprocal benefits, earning, and redemption at their hotels. MGM is one of the largest resort chains in Las Vegas, so their relationship gives Hyatt an instant boost to the top when it comes to comparing loyalty programs in that area. Unlike some of the partnerships I mentioned in yesterday’s post that cover one or two properties, Hyatt Gold Passport members can now receive this preferred treatment at a dozen resorts.
Here’s what’s going to be happening as the program rolls out this summer. Coincidentally, my friends and I are still planning my bachelor party, so you can bet this news has made us rethink some plans.
Earning Points
Starting June 20, participating MGM Resorts can be booked through Hyatt.com and Hyatt call centers in addition to existing MGM websites and Mlife.com. Eligible stays that begin on or after June 20 at participating MGM Resorts will earn both Hyatt Gold Passport points and MGM’s M life Tier Credits.
Obviously this means you’ll have to be a member of both programs. You can join Gold Passport or join M life using these links. However, you don’t need to have elite status to accumulate points.
Gold Passport members will earn 5 points per dollar on eligible spend at MGM Resorts. Even if you have an ineligible hotel rate, you can still earn points on other eligible charges to your room folio, up to $5,000. Yes, Gold Passport Platinum and Diamond members will still earn their 15% or 30% bonuses on points. M life members will also be able to earn M life tier points when they stay at Hyatt hotels around the world.
Redeeming Points
One thing I like about MGM Resorts is that they have a good spread of hotels for every price point. The Mirage is one of my favorites since it’s got lots of benefits without being too pricey, but there are also budget options like Luxor and Excalibur or luxury options like Bellagio and Aria.
This same range of price points is reflected in the new Gold Passport award chart for MGM Resorts. Remember that you can use your free Category 1-4 hotel night at some of these hotels if you have a Hyatt Visa credit card (a great value even with the $75 annual fee).
Category 6 — 22,000 Points
ARIA, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay
Category 5 — 18,000 Points
MGM Grand, The Signature at MGM Grand, Vdara, The Mirage
Category 4 — 15,000 Points
Monte Carlo, New York-New York
Category 3 — 12,000 Points
Luxor
Category 2 — 8,000 Points
Excalibur
Elite Benefits
All eligible stays and nights at participating hotels in Las Vegas will also count toward your elite status qualification for Gold Passport. However, keep in mind that Hyatt only awards credit for a single room even if you book multiple rooms in your reservation.
Beginning in August, Hyatt Gold Passport members will be able to opt-in to matching status in M life, improving their ability to honor reciprocal elite benefits. Expect more details soon.
Gold Passport Platinum members will receive M life Gold status and Gold Passport Diamond members will receive M life Platinum status. Both include priority check-in, upgrades, and more bonus points. M life Platinum status includes larger discounts at participating retailers, priority access to cabanas, and priority taxi/valet service.
I think Gold status is still pretty good, which makes it even more worthwhile to get the Hyatt Visa credit card for the complimentary Gold Passport Platinum status and match it to M life Gold.
Conclusion
I must confess that most casino rewards programs mystify me, and I don’t gamble nearly enough to make them seem worthwhile. But their top members do get some great perks and discounts. This new partnership between Hyatt and MGM makes it incredibly easy to get that same recognition even if, like me, you spend the majority of your hotel dollars outside of Las Vegas.
Now, I can earn my Gold Passport Diamond status and Gold Passport points in places like San Francisco, Wichita, and Seattle and take them with me when I go to Las Vegas. I love the Hyatt Place near the airport, but it isn’t for everyone or for every trip. Knowing that I can redeem my points for Bellagio is a huge bonus to the Gold Passport program, encourages me to stay at MGM Resorts, and ensures that I’ll continue to get the same elite treatment I’m used to when I stay at hotels in other cities.
If you have questions about the new relationship or already have a stay booked at an MGM Resort on or after June 20th, you can view more information on Hyatt’s website or call Hyatt for more information at 1-800-51-HYATT.
