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MtM Podcast – MGM Gets Bonvoyed
On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the announced details of the new MGM/Marriott partnership. It is coming much later than expected (in fact we still don’t have a date), but is it better than Hyatt’s previous partnership and what sort of benefits will you get when staying? They also discuss some of Hyatt’s quirks, Shawn’s last minute Paris Spring Break trip and a checking account bonus that is lucrative and easy to grab.
I hope you enjoy this episode!
Episode Notes
- 6:04 – MGM Bonvoy details
- 15:38 – Las Vegas eras
- 18:38 – Dealing with Hyatt’s quirky award rules
- 30:04 – Shawn plans spring break
- 38:41 – Chase business bank bonus
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Come on, now. This Marriott “deal” with MGM is about as close to totally worthless as it could be, without being actually worthless. You get elite night credit – only if you book through Marriott, which is usually FAR more expensive than booking direct with MGM. The cost differential isn’t worth the perks in most cases, and the perks are minimal – dedicated checkin line is about it. Since resort fees aren’t waived the cost can be quite considerable.
I think MGM properties are nicer than Caesar’s but you can still get Caesar’s Diamond status fairly easily so the incentive for anyone to stay in MGM is close to zero. This partnership doesn’t amount to much of anything.
As for “entitlement”: it all comes down to incentives. MGM got a ton of Hyatt loyalists to stay in MGM properties. They’ve lost that and now there’s not much reason to choose MGM even for a Marriott Titanium. If this works out to MGM’s betterment in terms of bottom line, great for them. We’ll see if this ends up really improving their bottom line or not.
Amazing you thought the MGM Marriott partnership was better than you expected, seriously? Marriott keeps lowering the bar on ‘You got Bonvoyed’!
Good info on the Hyatt award quirks.
Thanks for the timestamps and go Detroit Lions!
Based on the initial language I thought the benefits would be non-existent. This is of course a FAR step down from Hyatt, but we knew that was going to happen. Too many people got waived resort fees and they won’t let that happen again.
Marriott got pis*ed on in the agreement
Shawn – this makes sense for both parties and is a better overall business relationship than the prior one with Hyatt. You bloggers and whiners want something for nothing but the sense of entitlement is revolting. I agree I liked the Gold MGM lever for my Hyatt Explorist status but this gives both parties what they want. MGM gets access to Marriott’s higher elite levels which may fit their demographics. As you know MGM is minting money so no need to give away status. They want gamblers or big spenders not a cheap status match vacation. As for Marriott it greatly expands their LV options and they get some piece of the room rate. Also matching higher level MGM status to Bonvoy gives them higher net worth individuals that may decide to stay w Marriott. Makes perfect business sense. You are just whining because you lost something. Frankly neither party cared as they got what they wanted. BTW Caesar Diamond Plus or Elite (depending on year) based on my gambling action so appreciate these casinos are cutting out the status match BS that let cheap losers achieve status they never earned
Resort fee waiver to correct the above!
I look at this as Marriott as the one that got Bonvoyed
MGM has access to the largest membership base in the world and MGM has to simply give the guest a room and pay for a few measly points and offer next to nothing in return not even self parking Ora resort fee to Titanium’s or a reasonable breakfast or guaranteed late check out
Truly a disgrace
Marriott got pis*ed on in the agreement