UPDATE: The third method to get MGM status via the Wyndham Earner Business credit card is no longer valid. Caesars Diamond status now matches to MGM Pearl rather than Gold so if you want MGM Gold status, use the other methods.
Even though the website says that, I was able to match Caesars Diamond (gotten through Founder's Card) to MGM Gold at Bellagio on Feb. 5, 2023. There seems to be a little confusion within MGM, so I suggest trying the match asap.
@@jenroling6260 Yup! I've seen mixed reports for Bellagio and reports of Mandalay Bay and Excalibur still giving Gold as of a few days ago. Reports indicate that other MGM hotels in Vegas seem to already be giving Pearl.
@@ardens-travel-guide Yeah, we were staying at Aria, but since I heard Bellagio was giving Gold I went there for the status match. Already got my Hyatt Explorist match, so now I am hoping they do not close the loophole.
@@OKZK_Bros Some people have successfully used the Wyndham on-ramp as of March but lately, most people report only getting MGM Pearl for their Ceasars Diamond. An alternate route that people are taking is to go to Atlantic City to match from Caesars Diamond to Hard Rock Rock Royalty and then match that to Ocean Rewards Ocean Prime which can be matched to MGM Gold.
I'm disappointed in MGM for no longer matching Caesars Diamond to Gold. Especially when Caesars matches MGM Gold to Diamond. This kind of stinginess is ruining the industry. MGM was always my preferred rewards program, but I'm having second thoughts.
It's stingy but if you already have MGM gold, it shouldn't matter. I credit MGM stays to Hyatt and won't be pursuing higher levels of MGM status, so the changes last year to tier points don't affect me but waived resort fees for MGM gold members was a positive change.
If I wanted to get into the hotel card game. Which one of these cards/tiers would you recommend? Travel about 2-3 times a year. Marriott Boundless vs. World of Hyatt vs. Hilton Surpass vs. IHG Premier? Thank you for any advice and input.
It depends on your exact travel patterns and what you're looking for. The Hilton Surpass has the most benefits if you're completely new to travel credit cards such as Hilton Gold status which gives you a dining credit at most Hiltons in the US and free breakfast outside the US. The elite statuses you would get from the other credit cards are not as good. The Surpass also allows you to access Priority Pass Lounges in airports 10 times per year. If you spend $15K in a calendar year on the card, you get a free night that's usable at almost any Hilton hotel in the world. The other 3 cards give you a free night each year without any spending requirement which is good if you don't spend a lot. But these free nights have limits based on the number of points a hotel costs so they're not as good as Hilton's. Of the three, I'd lean towards Marriott because they have the most hotels which makes it easier to find one in places you want to visit.
The Wyndam Rewards credit card can be a nightmare to get. My girlfriend talked to (quite literally) 25 people and was on hold a total of 24 hours to get it over a period of two weeks. They gave her only a $1000 limit (all of our other cards are like 7 to 15k) and it's a pain. There are lot of great benefits to it though and we did the whole status match thing and enjoyed our free $100 meal, but boy did she work hard for it.
UPDATE:
The third method to get MGM status via the Wyndham Earner Business credit card is no longer valid. Caesars Diamond status now matches to MGM Pearl rather than Gold so if you want MGM Gold status, use the other methods.
Even though the website says that, I was able to match Caesars Diamond (gotten through Founder's Card) to MGM Gold at Bellagio on Feb. 5, 2023. There seems to be a little confusion within MGM, so I suggest trying the match asap.
@@jenroling6260 Yup! I've seen mixed reports for Bellagio and reports of Mandalay Bay and Excalibur still giving Gold as of a few days ago. Reports indicate that other MGM hotels in Vegas seem to already be giving Pearl.
@@ardens-travel-guide Yeah, we were staying at Aria, but since I heard Bellagio was giving Gold I went there for the status match. Already got my Hyatt Explorist match, so now I am hoping they do not close the loophole.
does this still match you to mgm gold?
Yes. You can still match from Hyatt Explorist to MGM Gold.
@@ardens-travel-guide what about the wyndham onnramp route? does this still work?
@@OKZK_Bros Some people have successfully used the Wyndham on-ramp as of March but lately, most people report only getting MGM Pearl for their Ceasars Diamond. An alternate route that people are taking is to go to Atlantic City to match from Caesars Diamond to Hard Rock Rock Royalty and then match that to Ocean Rewards Ocean Prime which can be matched to MGM Gold.
Thank you!
Excellent video!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks! 😀
I'm disappointed in MGM for no longer matching Caesars Diamond to Gold. Especially when Caesars matches MGM Gold to Diamond. This kind of stinginess is ruining the industry. MGM was always my preferred rewards program, but I'm having second thoughts.
It's stingy but if you already have MGM gold, it shouldn't matter. I credit MGM stays to Hyatt and won't be pursuing higher levels of MGM status, so the changes last year to tier points don't affect me but waived resort fees for MGM gold members was a positive change.
If I wanted to get into the hotel card game. Which one of these cards/tiers would you recommend? Travel about 2-3 times a year. Marriott Boundless vs. World of Hyatt vs. Hilton Surpass vs. IHG Premier? Thank you for any advice and input.
It depends on your exact travel patterns and what you're looking for. The Hilton Surpass has the most benefits if you're completely new to travel credit cards such as Hilton Gold status which gives you a dining credit at most Hiltons in the US and free breakfast outside the US. The elite statuses you would get from the other credit cards are not as good. The Surpass also allows you to access Priority Pass Lounges in airports 10 times per year. If you spend $15K in a calendar year on the card, you get a free night that's usable at almost any Hilton hotel in the world.
The other 3 cards give you a free night each year without any spending requirement which is good if you don't spend a lot. But these free nights have limits based on the number of points a hotel costs so they're not as good as Hilton's. Of the three, I'd lean towards Marriott because they have the most hotels which makes it easier to find one in places you want to visit.
@@ardens-travel-guide thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate it…
The Wyndam Rewards credit card can be a nightmare to get. My girlfriend talked to (quite literally) 25 people and was on hold a total of 24 hours to get it over a period of two weeks. They gave her only a $1000 limit (all of our other cards are like 7 to 15k) and it's a pain. There are lot of great benefits to it though and we did the whole status match thing and enjoyed our free $100 meal, but boy did she work hard for it.
Yikes. A lot of people seem to have experiences like that but I'm glad it worked out for you.
Great video sir!
-VRA Fam