Adelphos

I just booked Vdara for three nights in May for a conference through a conference website. I entered in my Marriott Rewards number when booking; the site promises a hotel confirmation number a week before the event. I will attempt to add the reservation to my Bonvoy account and to earn night credits / points, but it's not looking that good for it.

Surge2009

In fairness - MGM is generally one of the better chains on the strip for giving "Decent" upgrades. At the Luxor, for example, if you book a standard king, they'll give you a pyramid premiere or perhaps a room in the Towers. At other hotels, if you book a standard room, they'll either bump you up to the next room category or give you one of their "stay well" rooms. Not amazing, but still better than most strip hotels offer. I have been upgraded to suites a few times, but I tend to think that was done due to my gambling and less to do with status.

FlyerJ

Perhaps if you book via MGM, yes.

As has been discussed above though, the terms for Marriott elite - Titanium and Platinum - customers are pretty clear:

The Marriott folks behind this program went so far as to say Titanium and Platinum members might get their rooms in better locations, but were equally explicit in saying the “upgrade” will still only be the same room type that you booked.

You suggest MGM is generally generous with upgrades. They all clearly say here that they won’t be for Bonvoy members.

And - beating a dead horse now - the only way to get one of these Marriott status “upgrades” is to book via Marriott, which means you’re paying an outrageously high price for the same room as if you booked via MGM.

AJNEDC

I booked Vdara for a business trip this year. Did it directly via Marriott's site as it isn't part of my company's preferred but we have the option book directly with hotels if for conferences. Receive a confirmation from Marriott that I will receive points for this stay.

bcosinteno

Starting on April 1st, 9 MGM Hotels and Resorts will join Marriott STARS & Marriott Luminous.

MGM Marriott STARS Hotels & Resorts (1 night minimum with $100 credit, $60 daily breakfast credit, room upgrade if available at check-in and early check-in and late check-out, if available)

ARIA Sky Suites, Skylofts at MGM Grand, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino

MGM Marriott Luminous Hotels & Resorts (2 night minimum with $100 credit, room upgrade if available at check-in and early check-in and late check-out, if available)

ARIA Resort & Casino, Autograph Collection, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Park MGM Las Vegas, a Tribute Portfolio Resort

Posco

What does this mean for current Luminous bookings at the Cosmopolitan?

platbrownguy

Sorry if this is in this thread, but do we earn Bonvoy points on restaurant spend charged to a folio if the booking is made via Marriott (i.e., on a booking that would earn points for room rate under the current regime)? Or just points on room rate, in-room dining, and mini-bar purchases (as per marriott.com)?

I have a $2-3k meal coming up that I'll likely be able to charge to a room and have people Venmo me for. So I'm thinking about booking an extra room at Luxor or Excalibur via Marriott to be able to earn Bonvoy points on the spend. (Otherwise, I'll book one night on a comp to get the $150 F&B credit that comes with my comp offer, plus the MGM points. But I would much rather have the potentially 30,000-50,000 Bonvoy points.)

Dinner is at Le Cirque if it matters (i.e. a restaurant that is fully eligible for F&B credit, MGM points, etc.)

A6LRD

which restaurant are you eating at 😅

platbrownguy

Le Cirque! (I said on the bottom of the post)

Ugh, the text of the marriott.com page says "Earn Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible spend, including room rate, in-room dining, and mini-bar purchases" -- classic ambiguity, does that mean only those things or is "eligible spend" defined here to mean the same thing it means elsewhere i.e. including restaurant spend.

Maybe it's worth trying just to find out. $79+tax for the room, I'd get 1,383 points + 1000 welcome amenity + 1000 for Bevy + 1000 for the current promo = 4,383 points, plus 2 night credits. And if the dinner happens to count as eligible spend then I hit a jackpot and get 30-50k points for that on top.

But it sure would be good to have some data points on what counts as eligible spend at MGM Collection properties...

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

Dear platbrownguy,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Regarding the earning for stays on Qualifying Rates with Qualifying booking channels at MGM Collection Hotels:

If the Marriott Bonvoy® Number is on the Reservation and it is a Qualifying/Eligible Stay, the Member will earn Marriott Bonvoy® Points on the Room Rate, In-Room Dining, and Mini-Bar purchases only.

If the Marriott Bonvoy® Member is also an MGM Rewards Member, they can have both loyalty program account numbers on the Reservation and will earn on the relevant qualifying/eligible charges from each loyalty program. Members cannot earn in both programs for the same item.

For example: A Guest has both MGM Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy® Account numbers on their Reservation at check in. They would earn as follows:

Room Rate: Marriott Bonvoy® Points
Mini Bar: Marriott Bonvoy® Points
In Room Dining: Marriott Bonvoy® Points
Restaurant / Bar / Pool / Spa Charges: MGM Rewards
Gaming: MGM Rewards

Best regards,

Carrie L
Specialist Social Media Care
Marriott International
[email protected]

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker

Hi Posco,

There are no changes for previously made reservations under the Luminous program at The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection.

Thanks,

Robert V.
Social Media Specialist

platbrownguy

I ended up letting someone else get the points on my fancy Le Cirque meal, so no data points on that. (The rules say no points on restaurant dining, but historically it was very much YMMV at Cosmo and sometimes I would indeed get Bonvoy spend for spa/F&B other than IRD, so I remain curious whether it might be YMMV with the MGM Collection.)

One cool feature with the new partnership is the priority line signs that explicitly have Ambassador Elite status on them. So for instance at Bellagio, the cashier desk can sometimes be backed up, but the MGM Plat/Noir line also has AMB on it. Line-cutting perks at the cage, sportsbook, buffet, etc., even if Plat-level rather than Noir-level, are a definite value add--and you don't have to be booked via Marriott (or even staying at an MGM property) to get those benefits

Roger Lococco

How do you prove your Ambassador status?

platbrownguy

One of the signs or flyers I saw (I cannot recall which, sorry) said that Bonvoy members should display their Bonvoy app profile page if asked. I opened my Bonvoy app and had it ready in my pocket but no one asked. (I don't think priority line abuse is actually that common in Vegas -- IMO there is enough enforcement, even if sporadic, to deter abuse, and there is certainly more enforcement when stakes are high, such as when placing last-minute bets before the Super Bowl or a big fight and the regular line is extremely long.)

dkerr

I am at the Mandalay Bay this week, conference booking so no Marriott points. It is my first time at the Mandalay Bay (and I would observe that I am NOT a fan of Las Vegas, I only ever come here for conferences and stay in whatever hotel is convenient for the event).

On entering the property there is a sign directing elite members to a dedicated check-in. As Bonvoy Titanium I decided to try that... is a private room to the right of the entrance and it was empty save for two staff that happily checked me in. I asked about adding my Marriott number to the reservation, they said that was only for reservations booked through Marriott and so would not add it. This area had snacks and a fridge with water and comfortable seating if you have to wait.

My assigned room is probably bottom tier and I have mixed feelings. The bathroom is generously sized with separate bath, shower and toilet. Double vanities. Shower has strong water pressure. The room itself is typical american hotel room, by which I mean absolutely awful lighting. On arrival it was completely dark and turning on the light by the door illuminated only a very small area, I was searching in the dark for other lights to turn on. So many (overseas) hotels now have smart lighting and on checking-in are all turned on so when you open the door (and insert your card into the slot) everything is bright and welcoming. Not here. Furnishings feel like are original to when hotel was built.

My biggest issue however is the mini-bar situation... there is a row of four bottles of Fiji water, liter size. But don't dare touch them as "the minibar and snack tray are sensory activated" with a QR code for the price list. It is outrageous... small water bottle, $14, those large Fiji water.... $25. Put any personal items into the fridge... $65 charge. This is totally ridiculous and the first time in years that I have not found complimentary bottled water in my room, irrespective of elite status.