Our Verdict
The MGM Rewards Mastercard®* is a rewarding credit card for travelers who like to stay at MGM properties because of its earning power, automatic elite status and other benefits. It also earns tier credits toward higher levels of elite status, which is ideal for big spenders. However, its rewards program is too limited for those who want rewards that can be used at other hotels.
Pros
- Earn points toward rooms, dining and entertainment
- Tier credits toward higher levels of elite status on every purchase
- Easily attainable welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No 0% intro APR promotions
- Rewards may only be used at MGM properties
- Must be at least 21 years old to be a cardholder
Highlights
- Earn 10,000 bonus points ($100 value) after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles after the account is opened
- Earn 3X points and tier credits per $1 spent at MGM Rewards destinations, 2X points and tier credits per $1 spent on gas and supermarket purchases and 1X points and tier credits on everyday purchases, including BetMGM deposits
- No annual fee
- Automatic upgrade to MGM Rewards Pearl Level status
MGM Rewards Mastercard Introduction
The MGM Rewards Mastercard®* is best for travelers who visit MGM properties regularly. Even if it’s your first time at an MGM property, this card includes automatic Pearl elite status and priority check-in to help you feel like a VIP during your stay.
This card is a keeper because it has no annual fee and your MGM Rewards points won’t expire as long as your card remains open. It earns 3 points and tier credits per dollar spent at MGM Rewards destinations, 2 points and tier credits per dollar spent on gas and supermarket purchases and 1 point and tier credit per dollar spent on everyday purchases, including BetMGM deposits. Your purchases also earn tier credits toward higher levels of MGM Rewards elite status. New cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus points ($100 value) after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles.
When you travel internationally, there aren’t any hidden charges because the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. So, you can safely bring it with you when you visit MGM resorts in China and Japan or take a trip anywhere else in the world.
Featured Partner Offers
Quick Facts
- No annual fee
- Earn 3 points and tier credits per dollar spent at MGM Rewards destinations, 2 points and tier credits per dollar spent on gas and supermarket purchases and 1 point and tier credit per dollar spent on everyday purchases, including BetMGM deposits
- Welcome bonus of 10,000 bonus points ($100 value) after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles
- Receive MGM Rewards Pearl status
- Priority check-in at any MGM location
- Bonus points at MGM locations, gas and supermarkets
- Points don’t expire as long as card is open
What Is the MGM Rewards Mastercard Best For?
If you’re someone who is always visiting or staying at an MGM resort, the MGM Rewards Mastercard®* might be a great choice. With no annual fee, you can earn rewards and tier credits toward elite status to feel like a VIP.
MGM Rewards Mastercard Rewards
Earning Rewards
The MGM Rewards Mastercard earns 3 points and tier credits per dollar spent at MGM Rewards destinations, 2 points and tier credits per dollar spent on gas and supermarket purchases and 1 point and tier credit per dollar spent on everyday purchases, including BetMGM deposits.
New cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus points ($100 value) after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles.
In addition to earning points, cardholders earn tier credits toward elite status. For every MGM Rewards point earned, you’ll receive an equal number of tier credits. You can elevate your status to Gold (75,000 tier credits) or Platinum (200,000) based on your spending.
Redeeming Rewards
You can use your MGM Rewards points for Slot Dollars or toward rooms, dining and entertainment at MGM locations. Points are worth 1 cent each, so 10,000 points are worth $100.
Because cardholders receive Pearl Status, your MGM Rewards points do not expire as long as your credit card remains active.
Rewards Potential
Forbes Advisor uses data from various government agencies to determine baseline income and spending averages across various categories to calculate potential annual rewards earning. The 70th percentile of wage-earning households brings in $118,438 annually, and we base spending on that number.
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Category
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Earning Rate
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Estimated Annual Spend
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Estimated Annual Earnings
|
|
Hotel Stays
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3 points and tier credits per dollar
|
$2,858
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8,574 points and tier credits
|
|
Gas
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2 points and tier credits per dollar
|
$3,562
|
7,124 points and tier credits
|
|
Groceries
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2 points and tier credits per dollar
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$7,243
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14,486 points and tier credits
|
|
All Other Purchases
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1 point and tier credit per dollar
|
$25,674
|
25,674 points and tier credits
|
|
Total: 55,858 points and tier credits
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|||
Based on Forbes Advisor’s estimate of the typical household’s spending, this card would earn a total of 55,858 points and tier credits per year in addition to the first-year welcome bonus.
Other MGM Rewards Mastercard Benefits
In addition to earning MGM Rewards points and tier credits based on your spending, the MGM Rewards Mastercard includes other valuable benefits that make the card worthwhile.
- Upgrade to Pearl status. Cardholders receive automatic Pearl elite status, which provides free self-parking, complimentary access to MGM concerts, bonus slot dollars and more.
- Priority check-in. When you arrive at an MGM property, skip the standard line and head for the dedicated lane that offers priority check-in so you can get to your room more quickly.
- Points do not expire. For entry-level members, points expire after six months without any activity. As a Pearl status member, your points will never expire as long as your credit card is open.
Fine Print
Interest Rates
- Regular APR: 25.24% variable
- Purchase intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfer intro APR: N/A
Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: None
How the MGM Rewards Mastercard Stacks Up
MGM Rewards Mastercard®* vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*
If you are open to alternatives to MGM properties, Marriott has a large portfolio of worldwide hotel properties. Although it has an annual fee of $95, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* earns 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar spent each year (up to $6,000) on combined grocery stores, gas stations and dining purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Similar to the automatic Pearl status a cardholder receives with the MGM Rewards Mastercard®*, the Marriott card grants a cardholder automatic Silver Elite status each account anniversary year, with the option to upgrade to Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 on purchases during an account year. Cardholders also earn 15 elite night credits per year and earn an additional elite night credit per $5,000 spent.
Thanks to Marriott’s partnership with MGM, you can match the Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status you get from this card to MGM Rewards Gold for even more benefits—and many MGM hotels can be booked with Marriott Bonvoy points.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees, receive a Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) each year after their account anniversary (certain hotels have resort fees) and can receive a welcome bonus of 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. All of these perks make this card a strong asset to Marriott loyalists, or anyone looking to take advantage of a hotel rewards program with worldwide properties.
MGM Rewards Mastercard®* vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another no annual fee card that offers generous rewards earnings. You’ll earn an unlimited 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus an additional 1.5% cash back on the first $20,000 in purchases the first year and get a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies.
Travel booked through Chase Travel, including rooms at MGM properties, qualifies to earn 5 points per dollar. Points can be used to book travel or redeemed for cash back, gift cards and more. Although the Freedom Unlimited doesn’t earn MGM Rewards tier credits, its rewards-earning power is significantly higher and more flexible than the MGM Rewards Mastercard.
MGM Rewards Mastercard®* vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
Another $0 annual fee option is the Citi Double Cash® Card, which earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off.
Cash-back rewards are earned as Citi ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel and online shopping. You can also transfer them to Choice Privileges Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue and Wyndham Rewards, albeit at reduced rates.
Evaluate Credit Cards Side By Side
Is the MGM Rewards Mastercard for You?
The MGM Rewards Mastercard®* is an ideal choice for travelers who frequent MGM properties and want to earn and enjoy elite status benefits. You’ll receive points and tier credits on all of your purchases, including bonus rewards on purchases at MGM properties, gas stations and supermarkets. The card comes with automatic MGM Rewards Pearl status and priority check-in at all MGM locations, so you’re treated like a VIP, even if it’s your first visit.
While the MGM Rewards Mastercard offers attractive perks for some consumers, those who want more flexibility with their rewards should consider other travel credit cards. Unless you visit MGM resorts frequently, better options are a flexible points card or a co-branded card from a hotel with more locations.
Methodology
Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors including:
- Annual fees
- Welcome bonus offers
- Ongoing earning rates
- Value of individual points or miles
- Included travel or merchant credits
- Additional cardholder benefits
Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors came together to provide a star rating for each individual card.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: MGM Rewards Mastercard®, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
