Good things come to Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards members who wait. After months of delays, Marriott International and MGM Resorts have finally announced their deep-reaching partnership. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano expects all participating MGM Resorts properties to be available on Marriott booking and loyalty platforms by mid-March. This partnership is a significant boost for Marriott Bonvoy members looking for more options in Las Vegas and allows MGM Rewards members to access corresponding loyalty tiers in the Marriott network.
According to a report by TPG, Marriott Bonvoy members will receive perks based on their Bonvoy tier at participating MGM properties without having to become members of MGM Rewards. This is different from the previous partnership between Hyatt and MGM, where Hyatt members had to join MGM Rewards to earn benefits.
The first property to join the Marriott Bonvoy collection was New York-New York Hotel & Casino, which became available to book on Marriott’s website and mobile app at the end of January. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was already part of the Autograph Collection prior to the Marriott-MGM partnership.
By the time the integration is completed next month, a total of 37,000 MGM Resorts guest rooms and suites will be added to the Marriott network. This includes all MGM properties in Las Vegas, as well as properties like Beau Rivage in Mississippi, Borgata in Atlantic City, MGM Grand Detroit, MGM National Harbor, and MGM Springfield.
During an investor call, Capuano expressed his excitement about adding these properties to their portfolio and enhancing their distribution in Las Vegas and other cities across the US. The partnership will provide Marriott Bonvoy members with a wider range of options for their stays, and MGM Rewards members will have access to Marriott’s extensive network of properties.
In terms of how MGM Resorts properties will be clustered at Marriott, some of them will be placed within existing Marriott collections of brands. For example, Bellagio Las Vegas Resort & Casino will join the Luxury Collection, Aria Resort & Casino will join The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in the Autograph Collection, and Park MGM Las Vegas will join the Tribute Portfolio.
Most of the MGM Resorts portfolio will be part of the newly formed MGM Collection by Marriott Bonvoy platform. This includes properties like Vdara Hotel & Spa, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, NoMad Las Vegas, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel & Casino, and Excalibur Hotel & Casino.
The partnership between Marriott and MGM Resorts is expected to bring many benefits to both companies and their loyalty members. It allows Marriott to expand its presence in Las Vegas and offers MGM Rewards members access to Marriott’s global network of properties.
Looking ahead, Marriott is open to pursuing more partnerships and potential acquisitions. Although specific deals were not disclosed, Marriott’s leadership team mentioned that they are actively working on multi-unit conversions and are open to unique opportunities like the MGM partnership.
Marriott’s strong financial position, as evidenced by their recent profits, puts them in a good position to explore further partnerships and brand acquisitions. The company aims to add brands that bring something unique to their portfolio and fill gaps in their network. They also have plans to launch a new “U.S. transient midscale” brand, which would be their 34th brand.
In conclusion, the Marriott and MGM Resorts partnership is a promising development for Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards members. It provides more options for travelers in Las Vegas and strengthens both companies’ loyalty programs. With the integration set to be completed soon, members can look forward to enhanced benefits and opportunities for their future stays. Additionally, Marriott’s openness to future partnerships and brand acquisitions signals their commitment to continuous growth and innovation in the hospitality industry.