The Cosmopolitan is finally under the MGM Rewards umbrella. It only took a couple of years since MGM Resorts purchased the casino for this transition.

So far I’ve seen mixed reviews from Cosmopolitan Identity Rewards members checking their MGM accounts. Some are seeing much better offers. Others, like me, have no offers, less free play, and lower status. We’ll get to that later.

Identity Rewards was very kind to some guests. I was one of them and we’ll get to that later. In the meantime..

MGM Is All About Luxury

The Cosmopolitan is a luxury resort. It always has been.

During MGM Resorts’ earnings call (listen here) this week the company said that it’s focused on its Las Vegas luxury brands. In a term that might only be humorous to me, MGM’s CEO Bill Horbuckle referred to Aria, Bellagio, and Cosmopolitan as “The Big 3”.

These three properties generate the most money for the company in Las Vegas. CFO, Jonathan S. Halkyard said, “75% of our 2024 domestic property capital budget will be focused on these properties.”

During the earnings call, the company confirmed it was working on plans for a Bellagio expansion and would have more information next quarter. When completed this will bring the Big 3 closer together and should increase business for Bellagio.

Look for the company to finally renovate the regular rooms at Aria next year. The Sky Suites were updated a few years ago. 

Moving forward, expect MGM to keep upgrading the Big 3 first. The lower-end properties will see “creative” changes. 

For example, Excalibur rooms will be upgraded with hand-me-down furnishings from MGM Grand rooms currently being renovated. This is an old trick, the company used Bellagio furniture to upgrade Luxor rooms a few years ago.

It Was Fun While It Lasted

If you’ve been reading TravelZork for a few years or follow me on social, you know that the Cosmopolitan has treated me well since Las Vegas casinos re-opened after the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I’m not a high roller and never will be but my Identity Rewards offers were great for a couple of years. I accepted the offers and focused much of my casino time at the property. 

The offers were wayyyyyyyyy better than any Las Vegas casino for a while. There was a time where I had two complimentary suites on weeknights per month. Additionally, I received weekly free play and dining credits. 

I started spending less time and money at The Cosmopolitan when I learned that my Identity Gold status would only be matched to Pearl at MGM Rewards. Among the differences in the tier status would mean I had to pay for parking and resort fees. Every “comp” night at the property would cost $70 or so.

This was when I knew the end of my time enjoying The Cosmopolitan would eventually come to an end sooner or later. My spending reflected that and after decreasing for about a year they’re all gone now.

On top of this, my discounted room rates at The Cosmopolitan are double what they used to be. None of this is a surprise but I thought I’d share the trip down since I was sharing the good times.

While I was receiving comp hotel rooms, free play, and dining credits at The Cosmopolitan, my MGM Rewards offers were $5 in free play per week. No thanks.

The Cosmopolitan is one of my favorite casinos on the Vegas Strip and it always will be regardless of the offers – as long as MGM doesn’t muck it up. 

The Identity offers were always too good for my bankroll so I enjoyed them immensely for a couple of years. 

MGM is focused on its luxury casinos drawing guests with bigger budgets than mine. That’s cool. I can take my mid-roller budget elsewhere. 

When one door closes, another will open. I’m not sure which door that will be but I can’t wait to see what’s available. 

How is the transition from Identity to MGM Rewards treating you? Drop a comment below or wherever you read this.