Not That Grand Anymore: A MyVegas Stay at MGM Grand Las Vegas

I wrote a few weeks ago that Las Vegas is slowly becoming a “new home city” for my family (we live in Los Angeles). We’ve found that airfares to our preferred destinations are often cheaper from Sin City than L.A. And that includes flying to and from Vegas!

But we usually need to stay at least one night in Vegas. And that’s where cost-cutting becomes even more important (and a fun challenge!).

Thanks to my The Platinum Card® from American Express, I can generally find decent accommodations at reasonable prices (or earn back the room rate) thanks to the Fine Hotels and Resorts benefits and yearly $200 statement credit for eligible stays. (Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.)

Another avenue I use is MyVegas.

MyVegas is an online suite of apps (as well as a Facebook component) that awards loyalty points to use toward redemptions at several hospitality merchants, but primarily for MGM Rewards. I’ve earned several million points during the past few years. I genuinely enjoy playing the blackjack and various slot apps. And I really like the Bingo game (I was raised Catholic. It’s in my blood.).

I recently cashed in points for one night at MGM Grand Las Vegas. My family stayed there the night before flying to Fargo (FAR). Our room and tax were comped (we just needed to pay the resort fee and tax on that), we had a dinner discount, and a complimentary cocktail thanks to MyVegas rewards.

Why I Chose MGM Grand

I lost count of how many times I’ve been to Vegas. But it’s probably somewhere in the 60-ish area (most of them were for work). One of my photo clients usually puts us up at MGM Grand. I’ve spent dozens of nights there over the past 10 or so years.

I’m familiar with the MGM. Plus, it’s close to the Vegas airport. Those are the major reasons I picked it for our one-night stay.

I’ve noticed during the past several years, though, that the MGM Grand is losing its luster. The service has declined (although, that wasn’t the case this time). The property is looking worn and the service (for the most part) isn’t as great as it once was. If uppper management (or the C-suite folks at MGM Resorts) take pride in the hotel operation, it doesn’t really show.

Check-In

Thanks to my MGM Rewards™ Mastercard®, I checked in at the MGM Grand’s Gold Lounge (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.) 

I could’ve checked in using the MGM Rewards app (or stood in the long general check-in line). But the lounge has complimentary water and snacks. Plus, talking to someone gives me the opportunity to inquire about upgrades. (MGM Rewards Pearl status is nothing too special, though.)

We were offered an upgrade to a nice suite — for $230. We politely declined and went to our room in the Grand Tower.

MGM Grand Bedroom

We had a basic MGM Grand room with two beds.

My wife and I didn’t sleep well. Our bed was rather lumpy. Our seven-year-old daughter, meanwhile, declared she had “the best sleep ever!” (Although, whatever makes her happy in the current moment is “the best _____ ever!”)

The room chairs showed their age — and one was torn.

And then there was this on the bedskirt:

We told ourselves that the stain was merely some spilled vanilla soft serve. Or something similar. Right?

When we got to our floor around 7:30 PM, we noticed a towel lying across a bench in our floor’s elevator lobby. It was still there when we left the following morning at 6:45 AM.

(Maybe the people who put it there know something about the stain in our room?)

Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Wolfgang Puck is a favorite haunt of my work friends. We eat there at all hours of the night after we finish an award show or concert. (We affectionately call it “Wolfie’s.”) Their drinks are tasty and the food is quite good.

Well, it’s not as good as I remember.

I redeemed another MyVegas award for $25 off a meal with the purchase of two entrees and two beverages. My wife ordered the Hong Kong Salmon and really enjoyed it.

Our kiddo ordered the chicken fingers. She didn’t like them (but she’s a pickier eater than I am, which really says something).

I almost always order the burger at Wolfgang Puck. Seriously, I start looking forward to the Wolfgang Puck burger a few days before a Vegas trip.

I wasn’t impressed this time.

I make better burgers on my grill (and burgers aren’t even my specialty). But this wasn’t a celebrity chef burger that popped with flavor. Know what I mean?

I ordered a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned but our server (who I remembered from several previous Wolfie’s meals) suggested the house Old Fashioned. I went with that. It was good. But not $28 (or whatever stupid price) good.

On the bright side, the fries were great. The service was excellent, too.

Other Tidbits

We enjoyed a walk after dinner. I used another MyVegas reward to buy-one-get-one-free at the Lobby Bar (up to $17) to treat Mrs. C and me to post-dinner cocktails.

We walked into the JABBAWOCKEEZ shop — and saw two members ducking into and out of the live show!

Our daughter danced through the casino to the pop and rock music playing on the PA. She loves watching slot machines (as we keep walking, obeying the casino rules, of course). Our table at Wolfgang Puck looked out into the casino and she watched an older couple playing slots. She asked if I ever won any money “betting.” I told her that I won about $15 playing cards while she and Mom got ready for dinner.

“Fifteen dollars?!” she repeated, her eyes and jaw wide with amazement. “That’s amazing, Dad! You must be the best!” (Hey, she gets a buck for each new food she tries. $15 is a lot for our kid.) I then explained that I’ve lost $15 (and a lot more) other times, that gambling is for grown-ups, and not everyone should gamble.

We strolled outside to the Tropicana Ave. bridge and saw kind of a sad sight:

The Tropicana is basically Swiss cheese: you can see through it while the old building awaits its demolition. (A new baseball stadium will be built on the site.)

Final Approach

I used several MyVegas rewards for a one-night stay at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and saved on my room rate and tax, dinner at Wolfgang Puck, and a couple of drinks. I used to love staying at MGM Grand. But it’s sadly become MGM Meh. It’s like management doesn’t take much pride in the hotel.

Do you play MyVegas? Have you used any rewards? Please tells us in the below Comments section!