Cosmo To Become An MGM Rewards Property
By now almost everyone who reads TravelZork is aware that The Cosmopolitan will become an MGM Rewards property on Feb. 1, 2024. If you’re not familiar, you can read the press release here.
The Cosmopolitan’s Identity Rewards will be active until January 31, 2024. Points and status will be combined with existing MGM Rewards accounts. You can see a little information in the press release above.
The company says the process of transferring everything will be seamless for anyone with an Identity Rewards account. I’m usually a cynic but let’s take them at their word so we can move on.
The response to The Cosmopolitan becoming an MGM Rewards property has been mixed. Surprisingly the split is about even between positive and negative. As you’ll see in a few seconds, I fall under the latter category.
Are you stoked about The Cosmopolitan becoming part of MGM Rewards?
Not A Fan
At this point, I’m not a fan of the change from Identity to MGM Rewards. That said, I’m not too upset.
I’ve been paying very close attention to the change since this is one of my favorite casino resorts in Las Vegas. This is something I’ve been preparing for since 2021.
I was expecting that I would be welcomed into MGM Rewards with the same appreciation I’ve had at The Cosmopolitan. Earlier this year, I realized that this won’t be the case and I adjusted accordingly.
Marc’s Recent Trips To Cosmo!
As some of you know, I’ve been staying at The Cosmopolitan for one or two nights per month since the Covid-19 pandemic. The offers have been fantastic. I receive weekly free play and dining credits. I’ve also received two complimentary weekday nights in a regular room or suite.
Because of these offers, I moved almost all of my casino gambling to The Cosmopolitan. I reached Gold status last year and have it again this year.
Before this year, MGM would tier-match Identity Gold to MGM Rewards Gold. This year, that changed, and Identity Gold is only matched to MGM Rewards Pearl.
This downgrade is equivalent to the Sterling level of Identity. Like Sterling, Pearl is the tier level of MGM Rewards that offers complimentary self-parking. This tier doesn’t waive resort fees like the Gold tier in both programs.
It doesn’t make sense for me to spend the money to reach Gold when I’ll only receive benefits of the lower level next year. The requirement is earning four times as many points.
Since I won’t receive complimentary resort fees, I doubt I’d stay at the property much next year. Even if the rooms are “free” the resort fee to stay eight miles from my house isn’t worth the spend.
I’ll save the money this year and come up with a new plan of attack next year.
Since I’m spending less money at The Cosmopolitan this year my offers have also decreased. That’s fair. The offers are still much better than the weekly $5 free play from MGM Rewards. My spending there is minimal but that’s just a silly offer for a casino that charges for parking.
I’m still going to visit The Cosmopolitan but I won’t be staying as often after it becomes an MGM Rewards property. Many visitors have loved this as a place to meet because of the location, bars, and restaurants.
My next stay at The Cosmopolitan is close and it will probably be one of my last for a while. I’m going to see how the changeover to MGM Rewards affects other players and see if it’s worth my time and money. I think it will be but I’m patient and will see if there’s better value for other properties I enjoy in Las Vegas.
Most Identity players I know are taking a similarly cautious approach since the independent rewards program has been very generous to customers over the years.
MGM Rewards Players Are Stoked
On the flip side, the vast majority of MGM Rewards customer I know seems to be happy with the addition of The Cosmopolitan. After all, they’ve been waiting for discounts and comps for The Cosmopolitan.
The Cosmopolitan is a great property and an excellent option for MGM Rewards customers. The staff is fantastic and hasn’t changed since MGM took over operations.
There are only two negatives I’ve seen since MGM took over The Cosmopolitan. First, there’s a constant barrage of massage people walking around the table game every few minutes. They’re like gnats and won’t go away.
Second, MGM removed some of the video poker games on the main casino floor. Sometimes I like to play the bad paytable games on the floor for a little while to shift my mojo when it’s running cold. I typically like to avoid booze when I’m running cold. Gambling on tilt is bad enough and booze only makes it worse.
When it comes to complimentary rooms, The Cosmopolitan should be ranked between Bellagio and Aria for MGM Rewards. Speaking of these casinos the walkway between the three should be finished soon.
Walk from Vdara to Cosmo to Bellagio pic.twitter.com/i3YFlPcdR1
— Marc (@MeltzVegas) August 14, 2023
At this time I don’t see a downside to the addition of The Cosmopolitan to MGM Rewards. Time will tell if this and the change from Hyatt to Marriott are good for guests.
How About You?
Where do you stand on the change of rewards programs at The Cosmopolitan? Does it even matter?
