The Points/Rewards Sitch.

Where things stand in the race for rewards in the near future.

Mlife:

Newly re-minted Gold member, and will be until January of 2022, at minimum. Rules changes due to COVID extending the eligibility period once a tier earned. Thanks COVID? As far as I can tell, though, the 70K+ tier points I have now will expire a few days after I leave in December, with absolutely zero chance to get to Platinum, so despite being at Bellagio, no need to play at MGM spots at all on the Xmas trip. I may take a run at Platinum next year, depending on the number of trips I take, but in reality it's probably a pipe dream. Starting from zero on Jan 1 to get to 160,000 points is probably out of my league, no matter how much I focus play at MGM resorts. I will need to get back on the Mlife horse next year to earn enough points to keep Gold for 2022 though.

Speaking of Express Comps, I won't have too many of those when I arrive, maybe $50 max, so not even a splurge meal by Ex's alone this time. Combined with the $50 in RC from the Bellagio booking I'll have enough to gain a decent meal, but that'll be the extent. Again, the general theme of the Xmas trip will probably not be MGM-focused. That said, it's good to be at Gold and it will no doubt result in some more MGM resort stays next year.

Identity - Cosmopolitan:

This is likely my baby on this last trip of 2020. At 12K I'm well over halfway to getting the 20K points needed to get to Identity Gold, which means comped resort fees, comped early and late check in and two comped nights a year. Rewards I can use at my fave resort. Hell the no resort fees alone might mean I stay there every damn time. It's a hell of an incentive package and better than Mlife Gold in just about every way, except maybe Mlife's room upgrade perk. I also have $90+ in resort credit already built up there so adding on to that early in the trip, I'll definitely have a splurge meal waiting by day 3 or 4. Even if I don't make Gold, worst case is I've already locked in Sterling for next year. I'll be doing most of the gamble spend at my spirit animal.

Caesars Rewards:

No status, no points, no spend in the last couple years. YET, I have up to 5 comped nights at all but the top tier resorts there. New owners El Dorado obviously seriously lowering the bar for comps. Even if I do take them up on some nights during the next trip (a long shot), I have zero reason to play there. I've been down the CET road on rewards before and got nowhere, so while I may keep taking the free rooms, they'll get nothing out of it from me. Some day they may learn that.

Red Card - Wynn/Encore:

Just went back in there for the first time in a couple years on the last trip and re-activated my card. Threw a couple hundy in and gained a few points, but I don't see any reason to drop coin there. It's always been pretty no-luck for me and I spend very little time there.

Grazie - Venetian/Palazzo:

I have no points, no status, nada, if and until I end up staying there I doubt that will change. Have never had anything like luck there, despite how much I love it.

I have other sundry cards like the Palms (closed) and the Trop one and hell even TI, but won't use any of them. No reason to start anything from scratch at resorts I won't stay at or don't want to stay at. So that's the sitch and more or less the spend plan for Xmas. Identity up the ass with a little tickle of Mlife. Sexy.