Hyatt Hotels and MGM Resorts to End Partnership

Article ByDavid Weir

July 12, 2023

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Posted in: Nevada Gambling News, US Casino News

The longstanding points program run by World of Hyatt Hotels and MGM Resorts is set to dissolve on September 30, 2023.

This alliance has been beneficial for World of Hyatt members, who have been able to book stays at MGM-owned hotels on the Las Vegas Strip using Hyatt points.

The partnership also allowed members to accrue Hyatt status with inexpensive nights at MGM venues during quieter periods for Las Vegas tourism. However, this advantageous arrangement will soon be a thing of the past.

Neither operator has given a clear reason for the ending of the deal. However, speculation is that MGM may be looking to work with Marriott Bonvoy rewards, which already has a system in place with MGM’s recently purchased Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Others suggest that Dreamscape, the soon-to-be owners of the upgraded Rio Las Vegas, may be looking to partner with Hyatt. The hotel chain is building a new 2,000-room location on the Rio property, so a partnership with Hyatt’s established rewards program would be a logical move.

“After careful consideration, MGM Resorts and World of Hyatt have decided to end their strategic relationship effective September 30, 2023,” said a statement from MGM Resorts.

Related: Our expert review of BetMGM sportsbook

Implications for Hyatt Members

The termination of the partnership means that World of Hyatt members will no longer be able to make new reservations at MGM properties through Hyatt channels, such as Hyatt.com or the World of Hyatt mobile app, after September 30.

This development is significant for those with Hyatt points, or points from Chase or Bilt Rewards (both transfer partners with Hyatt), who plan to visit Las Vegas this year or next.

They will need to book their award nights before the end of September to take advantage of the current benefits.

Existing reservations will be honored, but stays with check-out dates after September 30 will not earn Hyatt points or tier-qualifying nights towards World of Hyatt status.

The same applies to MGM Rewards members who will no longer earn MGM Rewards Tier Credits on stays at Hyatt hotels and resorts.

Status Matching and Future Speculations

One of the major attractions of the MGM and Hyatt partnership was the ability to match status between the two hotel programs.

This provided the opportunity for Hyatt customers to book high-level perks at MGM’s properties, such as dedicated check-in, free parking, and waived resort fees.

Generally, Hyatt stays are more expensive than rooms at MGM’s casino properties, especially during quieter times on the strip. However, the status perks require more investment at MGM, so Hyatt customers were getting a good deal under the arrangement.

World of Hyatt members who matched into MGM Rewards between February 1, 2023, and July 14, 2023, will retain that status until January 31, 2024.

Similarly, MGM Rewards members who matched into World of Hyatt within the same period will keep their status until February 29, 2024.

The partnership, which began over a decade ago, has been particularly beneficial for loyal Hyatt members.

It offered a cost-effective way to book hotel stays and climb the ranks to top-tier Globalist status. For many years, booking MGM resorts with Hyatt points was one of the only easy ways to book a Las Vegas Strip resort stay with reward points.