Mlife

I'm in the Mlife program for MGM resorts. So far it's gotten me 3 fully comped (aside from the resort fee) resort stays and varying amounts of additional swag. I've cashed in offers to stay at Excalibur, Mandalay Bay (THEhotel) and, next, NYNY.

The best one thus far was the last one, the suite at THEhotel, $125 in "resort credit" which is basically a food credit, and a little Freeplay. I was also able on the last trip to build up enough Express Comps to pay for another meal while there, so with the around $50 in play I cashed in almost $200 in comps, plus the close to $500 that the room would have cost me. That's pretty damn good for a low roller like me, and I still have a little bit of Ex Comps and Freeplay for next trip built up.

The NYNY trip I have coming up I'll only have an extra $25 of Resort Credit, so not even one meal but still, the room for 3 nights is free.

The program has definitely served its purpose, I do feel like if I'm spending money in other casinos I'm throwing potential comps out the window at the resorts (MGM) I stay at. I guess though that I'm at or above my offer limit now after cashing in three times this year, as the (rather rude) lady who took my reservation for the Xmas trip told me I was "overcomped", whatever that means. She explained it as I might not receive any more offers until I gamble more in the MGM casinos, I just came back and said, "hey, you guys are the ones who keep sending me offers, I'm just taking advantage of them, you thunder cunt". OK, I didn't call her a thunder cunt.

I'm currently at Pearl status in the program, and am about halfway to getting to Gold, which is where real "high roller" benefits kick in, like line cutting at clubs, priority check-in, a tier multiplier, etc. Aside from VIP check in I probably won't use many of these (not a club guy) but it's still worth chasing. Platinum and Noir tiers are where the pimp shit kicks in like limos from the airport, VIP seats at events, etc. Won't be up there for a while, especially with the way I gamble, but if I keep going 3 times or more a year it's do-able.

The big downside I've hit so far is ALL of your points disappear on Oct 1st...you stay on whatever color level you're at but all your accumulated points toward your next level just disappear. Kind of a bitch.

I have a TR (Caesar's Total Rewards) card now, but I don't think I'll use it anytime soon. Still have several MGM hotels I haven't stayed at (MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Mirage, Bellagio, Mandalay) so until I check all of those off I have no real reason to stray off the MGM reservation. I'd love to do a couple more trips then see that invite to Bellagio come through in email. That place looks baller.

Update:

Two trips later, I'm now at MLife Gold. It's pretty amazing how fast you can roll up the ranks, as not only on the last trip did I tick over into Gold but I also bad-gambled my way about halfway to Platinum. Gold is cool, good tier multiplier, VIP check in, club line cutting, and room upgrades, but I'm hoping on the next trip I can get up to Platinum. It will take a little luck on the slots but I'm going to be there for an extra night so it may be do-able.

I've had my "issues" with the MLife program as pertains to check in, and I've chronicled them here, but for someone on a limited budget like myself it's pretty hard to beat. I haven't paid for a room in 4 trips, and have gotten a lot of substantial side benefits like free meals as well. Anyone who goes to Vegas more than once every couple years is crazy not to get into one of these programs.