Comp cruises, waived resort fees, status matching, room upgrades, and more: MGM Rewards Platinum status has been a valuable addition to my points and miles & gambling toolkit. Here’s why (IMHO) MGM Rewards status is worthwhile and how it’s easier to earn in 2026 compared to previous years.
2025 Success
I earned nearly 400,000 MGM Rewards Tier Credits in 2025, well over the 200,000 required for MGM Platinum status. I’m loyal to MGM Rewards because the status benefits are so rewarding, and it’s easy to simultaneously earn Tier Credits and MGM Rewards Points (comps) and Slot Dollars (freeplay) with MGM credit cards.
2025 Improvements
In 2025, we saw the release of the MGM Rewards Iconic credit card, which offers additional benefits and tier earning, in addition to the older MGM Mastercard credit card. Rather than just settling for the old credit card, I applied for the new credit card and now have a combined credit limit of around $40,000. Since most purchases, even deposits to BetMGM, on MGM credit cards earn tier credits and comps or freeplay, more spending power is desirable.
MGM Rewards also added additional cruise benefits, including onboard free play and reciprocal earning at sea. In addition to progressing towards status levels with cruise companies, onboard play should earn Tier Credits and Slot Dollars with MGM Rewards, making it even more rewarding, especially when using a credit card that rewards cruise spending.
The Value Proposition
MGM Gold status – earned at 75,000 Tier Credits – primarily gives a comp five-night cruise with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, waived resort fees, and $100 in comps. MGM Platinum status – earned at 200,000 Tier Credits – primarily gives a comp seven-night cruise, a $600 airfare rebate, a $200 comp credit, and other perks, including possible room upgrades and late checkout when available.
Additionally, MGM Platinum status can match to other casino loyalty programs and cruise companies for even more value if opportunities present themselves in 2026.
Unlike Caesars Rewards, top status with MGM Rewards can be earned with zero in-person gambling. Miles and points focused readers who gamble very little or not at all can earn status with heavy credit card spending, especially with creative methods like buying gift cards and prepaid cards.
My Plan
MGM Rewards Tier Credits earned from credit card spending post at credit card statement close dates, not when the purchases are made. This provides an interesting late 2025 opportunity to start 2026 strong.
My MGM Mastercard statement should close around January 4th of 2026, so my credit card spending following the December 2025 statement close date will count for Tier Credits posting in early January of 2026. I usually mix creative grocery store spending with BetMGM loads, earning at least 1x on the credit card side (and a bit more on the gaming side), so I may start the year with around 25,000 Tier Credits just from credit card spending.
My MGM Iconic credit card statement should close in mid-January, so this should give me an additional 25,000 Tier Credits. I’ll then have a total of 50,000 Tier Credits by the end of January and can requalify for Platinum status in four to five months with zero in-person gambling at MGM properties. America loves math!
I’ll earn even more Tier Credits from MGM Rewards booked cruises, so the requalification may happen even sooner.
As always, use credit responsibly and gamble intelligently.
For a deeper dive into MGM Rewards, listen to a recent podcast episode I recorded: