AllThePants

Yeah, the comp person usually has to be there. In the case you're not there the property has the right to ask your guest for a CC to charge the full rack rate in case you don't show up. When you eventually show up you stop by the front desk to make sure they know you're there.

In practice - I've had the request for a CC from my guest happen occasionally - like 1 time out of 10 -- but oftentimes they just ask for the #'s of your CC used at booking to verify.

If you are actually going to physically be in town during the stay and can stop by the front desk at some point , then you should have next to zero problems. If the intention is to actually do a ghost checkin in order to get a comp room for a friend -- then ymmv and I'd generally discourage it.

And I always encourage stopping by the front desk in general -- the online app checkin is still a bit buggy I think and I've been 50/50 in getting EQNs properly credited in the past year when using that. So I always stop by the front desk.

bosman

Were these Hyatt points (well, points + cash in my situation) or all cash? I'm seeing all the advice about booking directly through MGM to get the resort fees waived, but in a brief check of the MGM website, I don't see how I can use Hyatt points. I believe the t&cs on Hyatt indicate that it works if you book through Hyatt.

Here is what I am hoping to execute:
- Book 3 nights at Excalibur using Hyatt points & cash
- Match my Hyatt Globalist to MGM Gold
? How do I get the MGM Gold status reflected in the res? Or can I apply it at check-in to waive the resort fee?

Apologies if this has been answered upthread. I did try to read all the way through but stopped at page 10.

TIA

PortlySpartacus

You don’t want to use points on Excalibur because the rates direct through MGM are a mere pittance

bosman

Is there a special website that offers ultra low rates? I'm looking at MGM's site (and have now linked my Hyatt account, so am showing as MGM Gold) and seeing rates of $180+. My dates are Jan 6 -9, 2023; maybe that's a busy time of year?

Troopers

Your dates fall on CES. I see low/comp rates at various casinos for those dates (prob from my play).

PortlySpartacus

If there is a huge convention in Vegas then all bets are off for low MGM room rates, pardon the pun.

I randomly chose Sept 12-16, a Mon-Fri stay, rates at Excalibur are $49/night. Once you hit weekends the rates go up across all the properties.

Schnit

Lets not forget its also AVN at the same time, I am sure thats the real draw :-)

Schnit

If you want to easily find the cheap rates I suggest using Google Travel (for searching not booking).

https://www.google.com/travel/hotels...jbhPzBRAHCrY48

If you go to that link it will show you $29 for tonight. If you then click on the check out date field it will show you each night how much it is. Just scroll through the dates looking for what you want that is cheap. For some reason the $29 nights show as $20 even though thats not actually shown, but any $20 one should be $29 if you book direct.

bosman

Thanks for all the help/insight. I ended up cancelling my Hyatt points + cash reservation and booking directly through MGM. Given the possibility that the resort fees might not get waived when booking through Hyatt, the cost differential of Hyatt points + cash + resort fees was marginally less than MGM cash w/o resort fees (even with relatively high nightly prices for 2 nights) and certainly not worth burning 21k Hyatt points to secure.

Two final questions on process. It looks like one needs to get their card printed on site before checking in. Am I reading that correctly? Then, at check in, I confirm a) that resort fees will be waived and b) to credit points to Hyatt. Does that sound correct?

Cheers,

bosman

Oh geez. I was in Vegas during this convention the last time I went. My wife is not going to believe that it's a coincidence that I'm there during this again.

Schnit

What a strange "coincidence"

Doppy

They can see your status in the system, you don't need to have the card with you. Just make sure they confirm at check in they're waiving the resort fees, and also confirm they have your Hyatt number in there as well.

There is no credit to Hyatt vs MGM, you'll get both if both numbers are in there.

ORDnHKG

You do need to have the physical card with you if you get offered checked in at the VIP lounge (Excalibur, MGM grand), you flash the card while going in and out of the VIP lounge, as well as at the priority buffet line, as well as priority check in line at properties that VIP lounge is not accessible for gold members
Also if you use myvegas for MGM rewards, you need your physical card in order to go to MGM reward desk for them load the rewards (no matter free play or BOGO buffet). At MGM onsite outlets no matter dining or shopping, you need a physical card as well for them to swipe to get credits if you can't charge to the room, if not you have to take the receipt to MGM reward desk

GUWonder

The My MGM Rewards Card showing Gold or whatever status is available for showing via the MGM Resorts app. Do they refuse the card shown in the MGM Resorts app?

Doppy

My response was to the question of whether you need the physical card to get resort fees waved at check-in. I presume they would take the app for lounge access?

Are they still letting platinums use the VIP lounge at MGM Grand? They had a sign up allowing platinum and gold when the staywell lounge was closed for covid, but since that reopened the VIP sign now just says invitation only or something.