Hyatt MGM Partnership: Comprehensive Guide to World of Hyatt & MGM Rewards Alliance

The Hyatt–MGM partnership began in 2013 as a strategic alliance enabling World of Hyatt loyalty members to stay and earn elite benefits at MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas. This alliance closed a gap in Hyatt’s Las Vegas presence, offering access to iconic casinos like Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and others through Hyatt’s booking channels and loyalty program.

Through this collaboration, Hyatt members could book MGM properties using Hyatt points, earn World of Hyatt points, receive elite night credits, and enjoy status-matching benefits. Equally, MGM Rewards members could match their status with the Hyatt tier, creating a unique bilateral benefits ecosystem.m

This partnership represented a pioneering “hotel codeshare” model, integrating casino-resort offerings and traditional hotel loyalty programs, significantly enhancing value for members from both brands

Core Benefits: How Loyalty Members Gained Advantages

Earning Hyatt Points at MGM Properties

World of Hyatt members earned base and elite bonus points (up to 30%) on eligible spending at participating MGM properties. All charges from room, food, or incidentals (up to $5,000/stay) could be counted the same as at Hyatt-branded hotels

This arrangement elevated MGM properties to Hyatt earning-rate status, effe.ctively turning Las Vegas stays into point-earning opportunities equivalent to traditional Hyatt properties, a major perk for frequent travelers .

Redeeming Hyatt Points for MGM Stays

Hyatt members could redeem points for stays at MGM hotels. Properties were categorized under Hyatt’s award tiers from Category 3 for budget options to Category 6 for high-end resorts which allowed award redemption using Hyatt points and no blackout dates on most reward nights.

This provided access to premium Las Vegas resorts without cash, increasing redemption flexibility and stretching the Hyatt rewards network beyond their branded footprint.

Elite Status Matching and Resort-Fee Perks

Elite Hyatt members (Explorist, Globalist) automatically matched to MGM Rewards Gold status, granting benefits such as waived resort and parking fees, priority check-in, and room upgrades.

Conversely, MGM Rewards Gold members could match to Hyatt Discoverist status, helping Hyatt onboard new loyal customers through MGM’s casino audience. This reciprocal status match was central to the partnership’s allure.e

Integration and Technology: Seamless Loyalty Experience

This alliance required technological coordination across booking channels, loyalty systems, and data infrastructures. Users could:

• Reserve MGM stays via Hyatt.com or the World of Hyatt app with Hyatt points.

• Automatically earn points and receive elite-night credits tied to room spends.

• Pass badges easily—database linking allowed users to input both loyalty numbers.

• Enjoy waived fees and elite perks based on cross-branded status

The convenience and reliability made the user experience frictionless, aligning loyalty workflows across two distinct hospitality ecosystems.

Real‑World Examples and In‑Depth Use Cases

1. Earning Hyatt Globalist Status via MGM Stays

A Hyatt Exploristmember in Las Vegas booked mid-week low-season stays at MGM properties using Hyatt points. With each paid stay, they earned elite-night credits and base/spend bonus points. Combined with waived resort fees via matched MGM Gold, this became a cost-effective pathway to Globalist status saving potentially thousands while maximizing loyalty rewards .

2. Waived Resort Fees and Priority Check‑In

An MGM Rewards member matched to Hyatt Discoverist received waived resort fees and valet or self-parking benefits at MGM casinos. Combined with priority check-in, their Las Vegas experience improved significantly less time in queues, more time enjoying amenities, with luxury savings thanks to the reciprocal agreement .

3. Silver Lining on a Budget: Mattress‑Run Evolves

Luxury travel bloggers used bargain mid-week MGM rates booked via Hyatt points to rack up Hyatt nights for status. These “mattress runs” were cheaper and more rewarding thanks to resort-fee waivers obtained via matched status, making the MGM properties a key tool in elite qualification strategies .

4. Strategic Stay Patterns Around Major Events

During conventions or major Vegas events, room rates spike. Hyatt members booked early via MGM properties under the Hyatt platform to lock in rates with point bookings. They continued to earn elite credits and perks throughout variable seasonal peaks allowing flexibility and reward optimization across business travel cycles.

5. Family Trip Optimization

A family used Hyatt points to book MGM Grand rooms, activated their matched elite status to gain upgraded rooms and waived fees, and paid out-of-pocket charges while still earning Hyatt points. The family enjoyed enhanced accommodations and experiences, all with elevated loyalty benefits at no extra cost.

Decline and Termination of the Partnership

Despite its success, the alliance officially ended on September 30, 2023. Under the agreement terms:

• >Hyatt bookings of MGM properties must have check‑out on or before that date to earn World of Hyatt points or nights.

• New MGM reservations via Hyatt channels after this date ceased earning Hyatt points or elite nights

• Status matching expired: Hyatt→MGM via July 14, 2023 (status valid to Jan 31, 2024); MGM→Hyatt similarly applies.d

The decision coincided with Hyatt acquiring Rio Las Vegas, rebranded as Destination by Hyatt. Simultaneously, MGM aligned with Marriott Bonvoy, launching a broader licensing deal including MGM Bellagio, Aria, Mandalay, and MGM Grand—further shifting strategic position.ns

Strategic and Technological Benefits of the Partnership

Operational Reach and Customer Conversion

Hyatt gained credible access to Las Vegas Hyatt’s flagship desert destination without owning physical properties. The MGM partnership brought 12 major casino resorts into Hyatt’s booking and loyalty systems, creating new revenue and loyalty pathways across geographies.

Enhanced Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction

Members enjoyed extended loyalty ecosystems: cross-property stays, waived fees, status recognition, and tier-matching perks. This built positive brand perception, loyalty momentum, and holistic service delivery.

Analytics and Data Integration

Behind the scenes, loyalty database synchronization, booking metrics, and status tracking required robust IT integration. Hyatt and MGM shared data on member stays, spending, earning, and benefits consumption enabling better targeted marketing and guest experience customization.

Business Intelligence & Future Planning

Tracking stay patterns, redemption choices, and guest engagement informed future loyalty strategies. As MGM moved to Marriott and Hyatt entered Rio, these datasets guided long-term property, partnership, and loyalty investment decisions.

Persistent Use Cases Amidst Change

Even after Sept 30, 2023, Hyatt members with stays checked out by that cutoff earned credits and benefits. Early bookers and late check‑outs must split stays to maximize earnings. Travel bloggers continue to analyze post-partnership strategies.

The emergence of the Rio partnership gave Hyatt a direct asset on the Strip. Rewards-savvy travelers pivoted to Roman match strategies and alternative property use, signaling a shift in mattress-run playbooks.

FAQ

Why did the Hyatt–MGM partnership end?
After a decade, MGM shifted focus to a Marriott Bonvoy alliance; Hyatt responded by acquiring Rio Las Vegas under “Destination by Hyatt.” These strategic shifts made the MGM tie less aligned for both parties.

Can I still earn World of Hyatt points for a Las Vegas MGM stay?
Only if your stay checked out by September 30, 2023, and was booked via Hyatt channels. After that, MGM stays no longer earn Hyatt points or elite night credits .

Is there a similar arrangement now?
Yes. Resorts joined Marriott Bonvoy in October 2023, bringing many former Hyatt-linked properties into Marriott loyalty. Meanwhile, Hyatt now operates Rio Las Vegas under its platform, expanding direct Las Vegas presence .