It's a separate line for RCI elites, similar to priority check-in lines for airlines, and I believe some departure ports have a check-in lounge as well with light refreshments. There are also separate lines for RCI elites to get back on board from the ports. Particularly at embarkation for the larger ships, this can be a huge time saver.

I actually haven't been on RCI in a few years, so I was going to bounce over to CruiseCritic before I went to see what the current setup is. In the past, I believe there was also a lounge onboard w/breakfast for disembarkation. Beats sitting around at the buffet waiting for your color to be called.

Here's a brief report from a platinum on a 5 day:

Check-in - not sure if you get expedited or not. At the point after security where there was an opportunity to go in the expedited line we were told that if there was a letter in your reservation you could use it. However, once I checked in there was an indication on my cruise card that I was gold and there was a sign indicating that if you were gold you could use it. So I would try it.

Welcome Amenity - There was fruit and water in the room when I arrived.

Drinks - In my cabin I received a punch card for 10 free drinks that could only be used in the casino.

Specialty Dinner - In my cabin I received a coupon for a free dinner for 2 at one of the two specialty restaurants that would have been $30 each at one and $20 each at the other. I easily made the reservation for the following day and the bill at the end of the dinner was $0. I would have had to pay for alcohol but I didn't drink any. There was no dress code to worry about (jeans and a sweater was fine).

Gold Coupon book - In my cabin there was a gold coupon book that had various discount certificates including a $5 match play (there was another one in another book as well), a 2 for 1 drink ticket, an extra bingo card, etc.

Gambling $$ - For that cruise only (otherwise there was apparently a 3% fee), I could take out up to $2K per day on my account that will apparently be coded as a purchase along with the other purchases. I'll have to report back on that one.

Gambling - I'm not sure how closely they were tracking me and sometimes not at all. Probably partially my fault and partially theirs. The limits were not very high on table games but were playable. The lowest min blackjack table I found was $6 and I saw someone playing with multiple black chips at another table - the only maxes I am sure of are $500 per third and $1000 per 50/50 bet on roulette (min was $1 inside and $5 outside). 2 roulette tables, 4 regular blackjack and 1 single deck blackjack table and 2 three card poker tables along with a craps table and lots of slots.

Departure lounge - There was a separate departure lounge for those who were gold (and others for other levels in their system) but I did not make it down there. I also don't know if the status had an effect on timing of getting off the ship as I was lazy that morning and didn't make my departure group.

So, mlife gives out 100 Noir freebies to Hyatt elites. :rolleyes:

From the Hyatt Gold Passport forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...u-invited.html

It's not clear if the Noir status is just for the weekend, till Sept. 30 when tiers expire, or permanent.

QL

I just got my monthly MLife junk mailer, and noticed in the section that list all the tier credits, it says:
I had never noticed that first one before, or seen it in the tier benefits online (just the usual cut-the-line buffet pass for Pearl and higher). Is this new, or did I just miss it? We're headed to LAS this weekend and I'd be down for a couple free breakfasts if I can snag it. Taking my wife mainly for shows, so I likely won't be gambling as much/enough to just get the usual comps.

Never seen it, thanks for the heads-up. I'll check this out, although I might not be able to get back to you before you're in Vegas.

As an update, I inquired with mife tonight and was told the free monthly buffet offer is property-specific. The rep I spoke to also claimed that the offer is targeted, so only certain members are eligible. (I suppose the offer of private self-parking is another hint that the mailing is property-specific.)

Thanks for checking! You are exactly correct.

I got curious and called ahead myself, and the MC said they had no such thing. Then I had an epiphany that I always use the private self parking at Beau Rivage in Biloxi. I called BR directly and they confirmed that they'd treat me to a couple buffets each month if I came and stayed with them, but it was "exclusive" to BR only.

With the stay requirement I'll probably pass anyway on my next trip down, as I can't stand the BR rooms...

mlife (mgm) questions
 

Some quick random observations/updates/reports from my current Vegas trip - I was researching these beforehand and thought others could benefit from the info:
1. Monte Carlo VIP lounge and staff is great. Rest of the hotel/casino is starting to look VERY worn, though.
2. MLife Plat and Noir are still entitled to many of the hidden benefits, including 3 free passes to Secret Garden @ Mirage, and 3 free passes to Shark Reef @ Mandalay Bay. Apparently it's up to 3 passes at each attraction per month. Both are very much worth a visit.
2a. Based on the above, I would assume that other benefits are still active, such as access to the Bellagio Fountains Brunch and Art Gallery. Haven't attempted those on this trip yet, though I might in the next couple days and will report back if I do.
3. There is still a VIP lounge at Mirage, just to the right of the check in and concierge desks. Nice and well staffed. I talked to one of the agents in there, and apparently access is given to Plats staying on property, and Noirs regardless of where/if they are staying.
4. Plat/Noir cards still grant early access to Mandalay Beach. Also, Plat/Noir cardholders are granted access to the Beach even if not staying on property.
5. Aria is still by far my favorite property out here.
6. The new Quad place that took over the old IP property is very weird, and kind of scary, but serves as a good air conditioned cut through if you're walking down that side of the street. It is a TR prop.

mlife (mgm) questions
 

Visted ARIA again ( have only got gold mlife status ) but have to say I was very very happy by treatment and rates
Has become my favourite casino in Vegas by some way. Prefer sleeping at the Mandarin but the Aria Hotel is fine

I can confirm that as a mlife Platinum, you are eligible for two free tickets to the Art Gallery at the Bellagio.

I am on the cusp of reaching Pearl (3300 tier credits short) I'd have to take a short hop to Vegas to qualify. Would this be a worthwhile venture? I'd be using Southwest points and taking a comp room offer from Mirage so it would be almost free to go.

The comp trip is fine if you actually want to take a trip to Vegas (and would normally burn RR to get there). But if the only reason you're going is to earn Pearl, not worth the time, IMO.

+1 go to vegas for fun (or not) and don't consider making Pearl in your decision. The first level worth making is Gold but I don't think I would make a special trip just to make that.

Thanks. I also just realized that I can get the Hyatt CC which comes with HGP Platinum status = MLife gold for a grand total of $75/year. But I do have some week 1 NFL action I would like to (hopefully) collect on so maybe just a day trip then. Thanks for the advice!

Plats are given access to all pool areas at MGM properties. (Know this from being a Plat last year.) I would recommend that you call ahead to VIP services ahead of time and just say that you (and possibly a guest) want to use the pool for the day; most times, they'll just tell you to show up with your platinum card, but I was occasionally stopped by kids at pool checkin who had no idea about the program, who then had to call VIP services, which made it a hassle. You have no access to services onsite, which makes it a little difficult, but most pools IIRC have lockers. I know MGM did as of last summer.

Super Steamed!
 

:mad:
I am so mad! I just checked my mlife account and I have been downgraded to Platinum. I have been Noir since July 2011. I have been reading about everybody being downgraded. My host told me that 98% of Noirs were downgraded despite the fact that they were told the Noir would be good until Oct. 2013. I was kept at Noir until this October. My research suggested that having 2 million points was the minimum for the invitation to Noir, so I went out for a few hours in August to reach that 2 million barrier. Then I recently went back for a few days of relaxation the end of September. I finished just under 2.8 million tier credits. There is a big difference between 200,000 points and 2 million! I am so angry! Has anybody ever asked for a review of their account and got reinstated? Do they even care?
Thanks for letting me vent! I appreciate any input.

Noir is back to being an invite-only tier, so I don't understand why you are so upset. Your personal research did not wind up matching reality; you took a gamble that it would and you lost.

Any negative emotions that you have should be directed towards these types of opaque elite status levels. The only solution to that is to stop patronizing mlife properties.

BTW, I posted on this fourm that I had over 2mil TCs when mlife was originally rolled out and was not given Noir.

:confused: People were told they'd be downgraded in October 2013, and then they were in fact downgraded this month?

So after the changes last October, I wasn't able to maintain my Pearl status. However after logging in today, I noticed that while my tier credits are gone, I am still at Pearl. Are there different levels to maintain status?

AFAIK Pearl is still at 25k TC. Did you have at least 25k TC on 9/30/13? If so, you'll keep Pearl until 9/30/14.

Nope, I had somewhere around 17k. Which is why I thought it was weird

Did you talk to your host? I believe some hosts are able to help you depending on your play. Always helps if you have a good relationship with them too.

Not as mad
 

I talked to my host and he said he will see what he can do. Hopefully it works. But, either way, he told me I'll still get the same comps, including car service. The only thing I'll lose out on now is a seven day cruise on Royal Caribbean. I feel a little better now.
Sagtravelgal

Hi! I was mLife Platinum but received an email that I am now Noir. I guess I need to go to the mLife desk at the hotel to get my Noir card? I was wondering how (if) I can use the benefit of airport limo when I arrive, before I have the card. And my reservation was made when I was Platinum, should I call the hotel to tell them I am Noir now or will they automatically know?

I'll be staying at New York, New York. Any tips regarding Noir status are much appreciated!

Limo service needs to be booked through the hotel. Easiest is to have your host take care of it and send the confirmation. It's not like when you get to LAS you just wave around your Noir card and a hotel limo shows up. :)

You should get your new Noir card in the mail.

This is yet another perfect example of why Noir is such a stupid marketing tool. Anyone who has Noir would have the benefits anyway, so all it serves is to disenchant those who lose it / don't have it and care about the intangibles of the marketing gimmick.

Does Mlife gold, via a status match from Hyatt get any type of complimentary late checkout?

Not by rule, but you can always ask. As a Mlife Plat sometime I'm not even able to get late checkout if they expect to be full that night.

Confirming that the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and Bellagio Art Gallery comps for Platinum and Noir members is still valid. We really enjoyed the Shark Reef and skipping the long line to purchase tickets.

Secret Garden still active, too, as of last week.

You can also flash your Plat/Noir card to skip the entry line at Shark Reef if there is one. ^

Anywhere to earn MLife points in Reno/Tahoe?
 

I am heading to Reno/Tahoe next month and was wondering if there are any casinos there where I can earn MLife points? I don't think there is, but just wanted to check and confirm. Am I correct in my assumption?

I think it's just Biloxi, Tunica, and Detroit now outside of Las Vegas.

EDIT: see https://www.mlife.com/pages/m_life_resorts.html

I received MLife Platinum from the Hyatt match. Does anyone have an updated report on which nighclubs/dayclubs have a VIP access line for MLife Gold+ since many of these are run by 3rd parties? Just wondering if this is actually done in practice, esp on Fri/Sat.

Also do all MGM properties offer a priority taxi line?

Don't know about the nightclubs, but yes, all MGM properties do priority taxi service. Most have a clearly marked line, but a couple do not and in those cases I just walk to the front of the regular line and show my card to the doorman.

Hey guys, i just earned Mlife GOLD via my last stay/gambling action over my last stay 85k points, (1k loss at tables recorded), is it worth trying to get the 115k extra points (will prob stay in vegas a few more times this year and gamble) to get to platinum?

I've also recently gotten diamond status at total rewards through founders card, would that be a more worthwhile option (although im not a huge fan of their properties), but suite comps/and an atlantic city location would make it more justifiable to gamble there.

If your gaming and spend will naturally take you to Platinum, then it's great. I wouldn't go out of my way to achieve tier status in any gaming program, though. In Vegas, cash will buy you most anything.

One of the best parts of MGM Plat, IMO, is the next-up taxi/valet service during peak times. Comps and freebies you'll get with enough gaming regardless of your tier (though the two are obviously corellated).

Stayed @ the Monte Carlo 3 weeks ago for 1 night for a mtg & 'worn' is not the word I would use for my room-borderline dump would probably be closer!

And, rec'd my Hyatt monthly statement this morning-no stay credited to Hyatt even though both the MLife & Hyatt#'s were on the reservation (clerk checking me in confirmed). Anyone know how long that's supposed to take to show up? It's only 1 night but still...would like to get something good out of that hotel!

In my experience it has always posted to my Hyatt account in less than a week.

Hey guys, do you know if it is possible to get matched from the Hyatt Diamond challenge to mlife platinum even though no stay has been recorded yet? thanks for the help

It should work.