Crapped Out: The MGM Rewards and World of Hyatt Relationship Rolls a Seven (Hail, Caesars?)

Well, this is a bummer.

World of Hyatt and MGM Rewards will end their “strategic relationship” on September 23, 2023.

And, yes: that means the Hyatt to MGM Rewards status match wheel goes flat.

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That’s a big blow to people who used MGM Rewards bookings to help earn World of Hyatt status.

It also stinks for those of us who enjoyed the MGM Rewards benefits, such as complimentary valet parking, waived resort fees on certain reservations, priority check-in, and the occasional room upgrade at MGM Resorts properties.

What Happens Now?

Status matches won’t be accepted after July 14. (Here’s where you can match your statuses.) Hyatt says, “…rest assured any existing matched status will remain in place through the date that status expires.” (Yes, “EARN YOUR STATUS!” people. I see and hear you. But feel free to rage at me anyway in the Comments section 🙂 )

Points earnings and redemptions are valid for stays whose checkout is September 30 or sooner.

You’re out of luck for stays checking out October 1 or later.

I’m still waiting for the Hyatt renovation of Rio Las Vegas.

Plans For the Future

I currently hold World of Hyatt Explorist status — primarily because of the MGM Rewards status match. I got its credit card when Hyatt’s loyalty program was still Gold Passport (before it became World of H2O Hyatt). That afforded me Gold status — and that matched MGM Gold status.

When World of Hyatt rolled out, the World of Hyatt Credit Card came with Discoverist status, which matches MGM Rewards Pearl. Both are the lowest level of elite status you can hold with either program.

But I was grandfathered into WOH Explorist and MGM Gold, primarily because of the status match wheel. That all comes to an end when my respective status years when. I can still get MGM Rewards Pearl status (yay…) through MGM Rewards’ credit card; that’s better than a kick to the head. Hyatt-wise, Discoverist is better than nothing.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., earlier this spring. My Explorist status was a big reason I chose the property.

I tend to stay at MGM properties in Vegas because most of my business and leisure visits are booked. But my clients rarely send me (or anyone) to Vegas anymore because COVID-19 pretty much forced them to accelerate remote work. I love staying at Bellagio and Delano — both of which are Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts participants.

But aside from that, I no longer have a reason to prioritize MGM properties over any other chain.

And it isn’t very pleasant for those of us who enjoy playing MyVegas.

Pay Attention, Caesars!

Here’s where things could get interesting.

Caesars Rewards announced last year they were ending higher status awards received through tier matches awarded from other matches. In other words, I received Caesars Diamond status through Wyndham Diamond status — which I received because I have IHG Rewards One Platinum elite status. I hold that because I’m a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member.

My Caesars Diamond status dropped down to Gold.

But then Caesars backtracked earlier this year and gave me at least another year of Diamond, saying, “…we are postponing enforcement of the exclusion described above for your account until our next program year.”

I’ve dined and gambled at Caesars properties while holding Diamond status. They’ve earned a few bucks from me. I enjoy the treatment they give Diamond members.

I hope Caesars really rethinks their status match plans. Now that Hyatt and MGM are not as much of a priority for me, I’m happy to give Caesars more business.

H/T: View from the Wing