In early 2024, Marriott and MGM launched a close partnership, with reciprocal opportunities to earn and redeem points, and take advantage of elite perks. The elite perks offered with this partnership have just been updated for 2025, so let’s cover all the details of the partnership.
Continue reading: Marriott Bonvoy & MGM Rewards Partnership, Elite Perks
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Besides the soft stuff that’s impossible to measure (“priority reservations” or “expedited valet”) and the waived resort fee, this is basically standard elite status benefits. The big exception is a F&B credit over breakfast.
The waived resort fees is interesting because the franchise and license agreements that Marriott has in the public domain envision waived resort fees for certain Bonvoy tiers but Marriott has never implemented.
I would be mad if I was the owner of a non-MGM property in the Las Vegas area because these benefits could undercut their property. Remember, there were lawsuits and quiet exits when some properties after the Marriott-Starwood merger claimed Marriott was violating their duty to existing properties in the same market.
I visit Vegas once a year for a conference, and thanks to free night credits and business travel in 2024, I've reached Platinum status with Bonvoy. The $20 F&B credit at this level would have been sufficient when Aria had its all-day buffet, but it's now insignificant with the change to the food court. I'll be in Vegas again later this year for another conference, and I'll see how the Platinum benefits play out.
Unless you have to stay at an MGM property, I'd probably opt for The Westin, just off the strip, or one of the non-casino properties.
What is the difference between the properties that joined existing Marriott collections (such as Aria to Autograph) vs those joining MGM Collection?
I don't have to stay at a MGM property. It's more convenience than anything else. Conference being held at the Bellagio. Planning to stay at the Vdara which is a manageable walk to and from. And the rates fall into the threshold that my company allows without having to provide a justification.
They still refuse to match Marriott platinum or higher to MGM gold under these new partnership “enhancements”. I’m a Bonvoy LTT and I still can’t even get free parking and resort fee waived unlike back in the days I got all these benefits as a Hyatt globalist.