I Gave In and Got a Travel Credit Card I Always Said I Wouldn’t Get

Get the plates, silverware, and side dishes ready. I think I’ll get roasted for this one.

The newest credit card in my wallet is one I never thought I’d have. But it’s a no-annual-fee card with some small benefits I actually prize. (Plus, I applied juuuust before a limited-time welcome offer expired.)

What is it? The MGM Rewards™ Mastercard®.

(All information related to the MGM Rewards™ Mastercard® was collected independently by Eye of the Flyer and was neither provided nor reviewed by the card issuer.)

Why Did I Say I’d Never Get the MGM Rewards Credit Card?

Our story starts years ago when the now-defunct Hyatt Credit Card gave card members Gold status in the Hyatt Gold Passport program.

Gold members could match their status to what was then called M Life, MGM Resorts’ loyalty program. The program eventually became MGM Rewards.

When your MGM Rewards Gold status lapsed at the end of January each year, you simply matched your Hyatt Gold status to MGM Gold.

Why Hyatt introduced the World of Hyatt program with its various “-ist” tier levels, credit card members were knocked down to “Discoverist” — which had no tier matching to MGM. Only “Explorist” members could match to MGM Gold.

But that was no problem. For those of us who still had MGM Gold, we simply matched our status to Hyatt Explorist. And then when our MGM Gold status expired, we matched our Explorist to MGM Gold. This went on for a few years.

There were several benefits I loved about MGM Gold status. I could use priority check-in and bypass lines that sometimes were very long. I often had resort fees waived. I liked the 10% shopping discount at select MGM Resorts shops. I’d usually get a decent late checkout. There were dedicated lanes at some restaurants that allowed elite status holders to bypass the standard line.

I occasionally used the complimentary valet privileges when I had a rental car or that one time in the past 15 years I actually drove to Vegas from Los Angeles (gross).

Don’t worry about MGM not getting anything out of me: I love blackjack and my wife enjoys playing slots here and there. I’ve enjoyed many meals and drinks at MGM properties. So, this was a reciprocal relationship.

So, I didn’t need the MGM credit card for anything. I got better credit card earnings and status benefits form my existing cards and routines.

But then, the Hyatt and MGM partnership ended. MGM teamed up with Marriott and there’s no status match from Bonvoy to MGM.

Enter: The MGM Rewards Credit Card

I have at least one Vegas trip coming up in the next couple of months and decided to take another look at the MGM card.

The card gives members complimentary Pearl status. That’s a step up from Sapphire (a pretty way of saying “basic member”) and a tier down from Gold.

But, here’s a huge benefit I truly value: “Show your MGM Rewards Mastercard when you arrive to gain access to priority hotel check-in at any MGM Rewards Destination.”

Yay!

Some of the MGM Resorts now have almost VIP-like priority check-in areas for MGM cardholders and people with Gold (or higher) status. (Although the “or higher” people sometimes get the high roller treatment, which is something you don’t see.) These rooms have complimentary water, snacks, and great service.

That alone is a huge hook for me.

I also get the 10% shopping discount that Golds receive. I read that Pearl members get priority lines at buffets — but not other restaurants. (Oh, well.)

The welcome offer that expired on June 30 was for 25,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within three months. 25,000 points is worth $250 in MGM Rewards hotel stays, meals, drinks, etc. That’s certainly a nice kicker and I’ll meet that minimum spending requirement. But I’m happy with the priority check-in.

Final Approach

I never thought I’d get the MGM Rewards credit card. But now I have it — and MGM Pearl status. 🙂 Look out Vegas, I’m back.