What the MGM Credit Card offers and who it's designed for

The MGM Rewards Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by MGM Resorts and a major bank, designed primarily for people who spend money at MGM properties — casinos, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues across Las Vegas, other US cities, and select international locations. The card earns points on purchases at MGM locations and typically offers accelerated earning on dining and entertainment elsewhere. It also includes perks like room upgrades, free play credits, and priority access to events at MGM properties.

If you rarely visit MGM casinos or hotels, this card's rewards structure will not serve you well. The card makes sense for frequent MGM visitors, people who gamble or stay at MGM properties regularly, or those who combine occasional MGM trips with heavy dining and entertainment spending elsewhere. For everyone else, a general cash-back or travel card will deliver more value.

Key Takeaways

  • The MGM card earns bonus points at MGM properties and accelerated points on dining and entertainment purchases, but earning rates and point values vary by card tier and issuer.
  • The card typically carries an annual fee, which you recover only if you visit MGM properties frequently enough to use the included credits and perks.
  • Points earned through the card feed into MGM Rewards, the company's loyalty program, and can be redeemed for hotel stays, free play, or other MGM experiences.
  • The card's value depends entirely on your actual spending at MGM locations and how much you value the specific perks included with your tier.

How earning rates and point values actually work

MGM Rewards Credit Cards come in multiple versions — typically a standard card and one or more premium tiers — and the earning structure differs between them. A standard card might earn 1 point per dollar spent at most merchants, with bonus points (often 3 to 5 points per dollar) at MGM properties. Premium versions earn higher base rates and larger bonuses at MGM locations.

The catch is that point value is not fixed. MGM controls the redemption rate, meaning the number of points required to book a hotel night or claim free play changes based on demand and availability. A point earned today might be worth less in six months if MGM adjusts redemption rates downward. This is standard for casino loyalty programs but worth understanding before you chase points aggressively.

You should also check the current earning rates and redemption options directly with the card issuer, because these terms change periodically and vary depending on which bank partners with MGM at any given time.

Annual fees and whether the included credits cover them

Most MGM Rewards Credit Cards carry an annual fee ranging from $95 to $450 depending on the tier. Premium versions typically include annual credits — such as a free play credit, a resort credit, or anniversary bonus points — designed to offset the fee if you use them. The math only works if you actually redeem those credits at MGM properties.

For example, if a card costs $150 per year and includes a $100 annual free play credit, you break even only if you visit an MGM casino and use that credit. If you never set foot in an MGM property, you are paying $150 for points you earn on dining and entertainment elsewhere — a poor deal compared to a no-annual-fee cash-back card.

Before opening the card, calculate whether the included credits match your actual MGM spending patterns. If you visit MGM properties once or twice a year, the credits may not justify the fee. If you visit monthly or stay overnight regularly, the fee becomes reasonable.

Comparing this card to other rewards options for gas and auto spending

If you arrived here from the Gas & Auto category, you are likely comparing this card to options that reward fuel and vehicle purchases. The MGM card does not specialize in gas rewards — it earns standard rates at most gas stations unless you have a premium tier with elevated base earning. A dedicated gas card or a general 2% cash-back card will outperform the MGM card for fuel spending.

The MGM card makes sense only if you split your spending between gas/auto purchases and frequent MGM visits. In that case, you might accept lower gas rewards in exchange for strong MGM earning and perks. If gas is your primary spending category, choose a card designed for that purpose instead.

How MGM Rewards points work across the loyalty program

Points earned through the credit card deposit into your MGM Rewards account, the same account you build through casino play, hotel stays, and dining at MGM restaurants. This consolidation is useful — you can combine credit card points with points earned through other MGM activities to reach redemption thresholds faster.

Redemption options typically include hotel room nights (the most common use), free play at casinos, dining credits, show tickets, and merchandise. The number of points required varies by property, season, and availability. A weekend night at a premium Las Vegas property costs far more points than a weeknight at a regional casino.

You can also transfer points to airline partners in some cases, though the conversion rate is usually poor compared to redeeming directly for hotel stays. Check the current transfer partners and rates before assuming you can move points elsewhere.

What happens if you stop using MGM properties

MGM Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but "active" typically means you earn or redeem points at least once every 12 months. If you stop visiting MGM properties and stop using the credit card, your account may eventually close and points may be forfeited. Check the current policy with MGM Rewards directly, because these rules change.

If you open the card and then realize you do not visit MGM properties as often as you expected, you can close the card and still redeem points you have already earned — you just lose the ability to earn more. The annual fee will continue until you cancel, so do not leave the card open if you are not using it.

How to decide whether this card is worth opening

Start by answering three questions honestly. First: do you visit MGM properties at least three to four times per year, or do you spend enough on dining and entertainment elsewhere to justify a card with an annual fee? Second: do you have a specific use for the included credits, or will they go unused? Third: would a no-annual-fee cash-back card or a card designed for your primary spending category (gas, groceries, travel) deliver more value?

If you answered yes to the first two questions and no to the third, the MGM card may be worth opening. If you answered no to any of them, a different card will serve you better. The card's value is entirely dependent on your actual behavior at MGM properties, not on the rewards structure itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use MGM Rewards points at casinos outside of MGM properties?

No. MGM Rewards points can only be redeemed at MGM-owned properties and partner locations. You cannot transfer points to other casino loyalty programs or use them at competitors. If you gamble at multiple casino brands, this card locks your rewards into the MGM ecosystem.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points remain in your MGM Rewards account and you can still redeem them. Closing the card does not erase your balance. However, you stop earning new points once the card is closed, and the annual fee will not be charged going forward.

Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?

No. Annual fees do not generate points. You earn points only on purchases you make with the card, not on fees charged by the card issuer.

Is the MGM card worth it if I only visit once a year?

Probably not. A single annual visit is unlikely to generate enough points or use enough included credits to justify the annual fee. You would be better served by a no-fee card that earns cash back on your everyday spending.

Can I use this card to pay for gas at MGM properties?

MGM properties do not typically operate gas stations, so this is not an option. If you are looking for a card that rewards gas purchases, choose a card designed specifically for fuel spending rather than a casino-focused card.