Marriott AND MGM Resorts International announced a partnership on Monday to combine its loyalty programs and give customers more ways to earn.
Under the agreement, MGM guests in the USA can earn Marriott Bonvoy Rewards points, and Bonvoy members in turn could have access to 17 MGM properties by spending their points.
MGM’s 40,000 rooms will increase Marriott’s global offering by 2.4%.
The partnership is designed to learn frequent travelers or business travelers who could also be fiercely loyal to certain hotel brands in an effort to earn rewards. These loyalty programs are fueling business and helping to distinguish the competition at a time when travel continues to bounce back from the lockdown attributable to the pandemic.
“The worth is in the amount and quality of the shopper,” MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle told CNBC on Monday.
Bonvoy has over 180 million members. If members need to use their bonus points to remain on the Las Vegas Strip, the one hotel option currently is the Cosmopolitan, which MGM bought in 2022.
When the brand new partnership launches this fall, Bonvoy members will have the ability to redeem their rewards at 12 additional centers on the Strip and five other MGM centers nationwide.
Marriott CEO Tony Capuano said MGM Resorts brings a wealth of IP to the portfolio, in addition to entertainment, high-end dining options and other one-of-a-kind experiences.
“This can be a really exciting opportunity for our membership,” said Capuano.
Capuano said last month that the worldwide hotel chain raised its revenue based on forecasts of accessible rooms based on a 26% increase within the group’s operations this yr.
The convention industry has yet to completely get better from the lows attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the conference calendar is full and there’s optimism that the group’s business, along with the increased variety of international visits, can boost results.
Las Vegas is the most effective places in the USA for conventions, conferences and meetings.
When asked whether the Bonvoy program would give MGM a competitive advantage within the group’s operations over competitors corresponding to CaesarsHornbuckle said, “The reply is an absolute, unequivocal yes.”
Meanwhile, casinos face tough year-on-year comparisons within the second half of 2023, and a partnership with Marriott could give MGM a competitive advantage within the sports betting industry, BetMGM, which is co-owned by entertain.
MGM sports betting customers will earn Bonvoy points on certain transactions, and Bonvoy members will see MGM sports betting marketing on the Marriott website.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a press release that the deal will create “a very robust rewards program that can connect our Marriott players and guests with the complete BetMGM omnichannel experience.”
— CNBC’s Dawn Giel, Jessica Golden, and Kasey O’Brien contributed to this report.