A Potentially Time-Saving Tip for People Redeeming MyVegas Awards (and a Rant About MGM Rewards)

I was yesterday years old when I learned something. And if you’re a MyVegas player wanting to redeem multiple awards across different properties, here’s some information that may save you some valuable time.

A MyVegas Pain in MyYou-Know-What

I’m in Las Vegas right now and working for a client. I receive a per diem for meal expenses — so I still like to save money when I can (especially in Vegas!). That’s one reason I started playing MyVegas — it’s easy to earn comps and good discounts on rooms, entertainment, and food and beverages. I generally redeem all my awards at the MGM Resorts properties where my client books me. (I’ve worked dozens of Las Vegas jobs for this client; they put me at non-MGM hotels maybe five or six times.)

This trip’s schedule allows me some flexibility, though. That presents the perfect opportunity to use some MyVegas award points!

I wanted to visit a favorite breakfast spot, grab a drink after work at the event venue’s host resort, and try a Mexican restaurant several people told me is great.

So, I logged on the MyVegas Facebook site (which, I think, displays the most award offers). I cashed in MyVegas awards for:

• A complimentary pastry at Primrose (Park MGM) with the purchase of an entree
• A free drink at Rhythm & Riffs Lounge (Mandalay Bay, where I’m working for my client)
• $20 off a $40 purchase at Diablo’s Cantina (Luxor)

The only thing left to do was stop by an MGM Rewards desk and have a rep manually activate the offers. (I thought.) For those who aren’t familiar, MyVegas rewards (at least, for items such as food and beverages) must be cashed in online — and then activated in person at an MGM Rewards desk. Sort of like a will call for tickets.

Having MyVegas add them to your MGM Rewards membership card would apparently be too logical. (Call me crazy.)

So, I was out for a morning walk and stopped by Bellagio. (Quick aside: I shot Eye of the Flyer’s first TikTok video there!) I waited in line for about 10 minutes. I could practically taste a margarita and the fajitas at Diablo’s.

Then it was finally my turn!

I spoke to an MGM Rewards rep. She could see everything I ordered. But couldn’t do anything about it. She told me that I have to visit each respective MGM resort where I want to use a MyVegas reward.

Sigh.

I went over to Luxor, visited their MGM Rewards desk, and the rep added the Diablo’s offer to my MGM Rewards gold card. (I didn’t have time to stop at Park MGM, as I was now running late.) I met a coworker for lunch, applied the discount toward our total, and all was well.

The fajitas and Cadillac margarita were excellent — as were the tortilla chips.

Wish me luck and short lines for the next two redemptions. (I’ll have to get to work extra early today!)

Plan Ahead

I didn’t know I’d have to hopscotch up and down The Strip so I could activate all of my MyVegas awards. Maybe the MyVegas program’s terms and conditions say that awards must be activated at individual properties. Then, shame on me for not knowing that. I’ll take the loss there. I’m happy to share this info if you also weren’t aware of this annoyance.

I guess next time, I’ll plan ahead better. Maybe I’ll go back to redeeming awards at just one property — possibly two.

Or, if I really want to cash in awards at three or more different resorts, I need to allot more time so I can zigzag across Las Vegas Blvd and stand in line.

But this shouldn’t even be an issue.

Here’s What Makes Me Cranky

It’s frustrating MGM Rewards hyped up their refreshed program — yet there’s still this two-step process for redeeming MyVegas awards. Participants should be able to select an award online and have it instantly added to their MGM Rewards players club card. (I understand there are non-MGM partners who offer awards. I’m specifically talking about MGM property-specific ones.) This “buy it online, then show up in person so we can activate it” is silly.

Or, at the very least, be able to visit any MGM Rewards desk at any property — and have all your offers activated across any and all resorts.

You can’t tell me this is technically impossible.

Bettors Insider’s Shelly Smith writes:

So, how much do casinos know about you? Well, when you use your loyalty card on a slot machine, the operator’s system notes which game you played, how much you have wagered, what you have won, and how much time you spent spinning reels. It records such data every time you partake in any gaming activity that involves you using your card. Thus, the operator has a detailed record of your gambling preferences. It knows precisely how much value you bring to the casino via this behavioral data tracking.

If you play at multiple properties owned by the same company, they will also know how much money you have spent at each one and when you have visited them. If you opt to use a mobile app that ties in with your casino’s loyalty program, you give up further information. Such apps let you make dining reservations, book hotel rooms, and buy show tickets. Therefore, the resort company collects that data too and gets further insight into what makes you tick.

If casinos’ computer systems track stuff such as my affinity for medium rare steaks with a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned and my compulsion to double-down against a six while playing black jack, they sure as heck can add a MyVegas award to my player’s club card.

Then again, the MyVegas Bingo app is one of the glitchiest and buggiest games I’ve ever played. So, maybe the technology isn’t there — but should be.

Final Approach

MyVegas can earn you valuable comps or substantial discounts at MGM Resorts properties (and some of their partners). But the process of actually redeeming them can be an unnecessary pain — and that’s not a good look for MGM Rewards.