Planning a visit to Las Vegas? How one can lower your expenses and earn extra rewards

Are you hoping to “hit the jackpot” in your Las Vegas trip? In that case, you will not need to “roll the cube” in relation to planning your subsequent journey to Sin Metropolis.

There are a couple of methods to make sure you (and your journey companions) have a VIP Vegas expertise that includes fewer charges, resort credit and a lot extra.

Alongside my colleague Summer season Hull, a senior director of content material at TPG, I received to expertise Vegas for the primary time with a little bit of an upgraded perspective.

With the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard®, you possibly can unlock unique perks that may make your Vegas trip way more memorable.

TPG unique provide: MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard: You might be eligible to earn 40,000 MGM Mastercard factors (factors)* and 15,000 MGM Rewards Tier Credit after spending $5,000 within the first three billing cycles after account opening should you apply by April 14. (Should apply right here for this provide; gives range elsewhere^; see the Abstract of Credit score Phrases.)

So, whether or not it is your first — or possibly your twentieth — time visiting Sin Metropolis, listed here are 4 methods the Iconic World Elite Mastercard may give you an elevated Las Vegas expertise.

Take pleasure in free self-parking at MGM Resorts properties

There are 15 MGM resorts and casinos within the space (and greater than 20 nationwide), however as a first-timer in Vegas, I opted to remain at a resort within the coronary heart of the Las Vegas Strip: the Bellagio Las Vegas. Critically, nothing screams “Vegas” fairly like watching the town’s iconic fountain present, particularly out of your lodge room window.

TPG tip: In case you’re staying on the Bellagio, room No. 24008 gives a panoramic view of the fountains and the Strip.

In case you do not need to quit the dream-worthy Vegas view however are searching for methods to economize in your getaway, holding the premium MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard grants you automated Pearl standing**, which unlocks free self-parking*** at collaborating MGM Rewards Locations.

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Throughout our three-day keep on the Bellagio, the parking price was $20 per day ($25 from Friday by means of Sunday). However as a cardholder, as a substitute of paying extra charges, you possibly can merely insert your MGM Rewards card on the exit gate to obtain complimentary parking***. As an added bonus, should you determine to take your automotive for a spin on the Strip to go to or dine at one other eligible MGM Resorts vacation spot, you need to use your card there to park*** totally free as nicely.

Associated: How the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard can fast-track your standing and elevate your expertise

Get an annual $200 resort credit score at MGM Rewards Locations

One of many largest perks of the MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard is the $200 resort credit score* that you simply obtain upon account opening and yearly in your card anniversary. This credit score might be utilized to room expenses, together with eating bills, resort charges, spa providers and leisure purchases. Simply go to an MGM Rewards desk to redeem this resort credit score.

The perfect half? This premium card credit score can be utilized throughout a number of MGM Resorts locations, making it doable to essentially elevate your Vegas journey — no woman math required.

Redeem for spa providers

Only a fast stroll from the Bellagio is Aria Resort & On line casino, the place I booked a spa expertise throughout my go to.

Except for the individualized therapy, a spa appointment at Aria additionally contains entry to the power’s sauna, chilly plunge, heated indoor and outside swimming pools, stone beds and salt room. Due to this, I extremely suggest permitting additional time earlier than or after your therapy to reap the benefits of the facilities.

Upon checkout, I charged my traditional facial, which value $190, to my room on the Bellagio.

Due to the MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard and its $200 annual resort credit score*, the facial I booked (or one other spa service at collaborating resorts) might be loved at little to no value.

Redeem for eating bills

If going to a spa is not in your Vegas itinerary, you possibly can decide to redeem this credit score at your nightly dinner or another meal you may have at an MGM Rewards Vacation spot.

Whereas there’s a plethora of eating choices to select from, one restaurant that needs to be in your must-visit record (if it isn’t already) is Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak. Situated within the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Craftsteak is a premier steakhouse that serves high-quality cuts of meat, seafood and family-style American-inspired sides.

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The restaurant gives an a la carte menu, however Summer season and I opted to go all-in on the “Crafted Reduce Expertise.” The Excessive Plains Ranch Angus meal expertise is $155 per particular person and comes with dinner rolls, two appetizers, two steaks, two sides and one dessert, on the chef’s discretion. With no allergic reactions or dislikes among the many two of us, we loved a feast that featured beef carpaccio, a wedge salad, filet mignon, rib-eye steak, creamy mashed potatoes, broccoli and, for dessert, creme brulee.

As an MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard cardholder, go to the MGM Rewards desk to redeem your annual resort credit score, then you possibly can cost a four-course meal like this to your room to partially (or fully) cowl the expense.

TPG tip: One other means to economize is to guide an early dinner reservation. In case you guide a desk at Craftsteak and plan on consuming wine, take into account deciding on one of many “half-off wine bottles” reservation time slots (sometimes earlier than 5:30 p.m.) to take pleasure in a half-priced bottle throughout your meal. Simply make sure to point out it to your server and ask for the menu.

Redeem for drinks and leisure purchases

There isn’t any scarcity of enjoyable available in Vegas; some even name it the leisure capital of the world. So, whether or not you decide to attend a comedy present, a live performance or one of many metropolis’s well-known Cirque du Soleil performances, seeing a Vegas present is a should.

To offset the price of tickets, go to the MGM Rewards desk to redeem your annual resort credit score after which head to the field workplace to cost any Cirque du Soleil present to your room.

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If it does not, you would additionally put the credit score towards a post-dinner drink or post-show expertise at among the cool speakeasies MGM Rewards Locations provide.

Considered one of my private favourite speakeasies is The Vault. This hidden lounge is contained in the Bellagio on the on line casino ground. In case you come across the large gold door behind the gaming tables, you may be greeted by a small, intimate lounge with deliciously curated craft cocktails.

One other favourite? The Ski Lodge, an aptly named themed cocktail bar inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. All the things from the decor to the drinks will make you’re feeling such as you’ve simply stepped off a Utah ski slope. I like to recommend the Slava’s Snowstorm, an espresso martini-inspired chilly brew cocktail with sizzling cardamom foam. To essentially full the winter wonderland theme, order the mountain campfire package to deal with your self to do-it-yourself s’mores.

Be sure you go to the MGM Rewards desk to redeem your $200 annual resort credit score* in order that after you end up at considered one of these speakeasies, you possibly can cost your invoice again to your room to make use of your MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard credit score. It is as simple as that.

Redeem for resort charges

Many inns — together with most properties in Las Vegas — cost a typical room price plus a resort price. For our keep on the Bellagio, the resort price was a further $62.36 per night time (together with tax).

As a result of so many Vegas properties cost resort charges, it is essential to issue on this additional value when planning your Vegas journey. Or, should you’re an MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard cardholder, you need to use your card’s resort credit score to keep away from shelling out for these extra charges.

Keep in mind, too, that this card gives a quick observe to elite standing. On the subsequent standing tier, Gold standing, you possibly can take pleasure in waived resort charges, amongst different perks, when reserving instantly at MGM Rewards Locations, leaving you the choice to make use of your card’s resort credit score towards a distinct on-property expense.

Associated: The perfect bank cards to succeed in elite standing

Skip the lengthy strains

Let’s face it: Nobody likes ready in lengthy strains, particularly whereas on trip. Throughout our Vegas journey, we did see some queues, together with whereas checking in on the Bellagio and visiting its buffet.

Nonetheless, when you have the MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard, you possibly can reap the benefits of a delegated line for MGM Rewards Pearl, Gold, Platinum and Noir members. It serves as an automated quick move of types throughout check-in and mealtimes, so you may get proper to the enjoyable and meals.

Having this sort of preferential therapy over non-cardholders provides a dose of VIP therapy whereas visiting MGM Rewards Locations, which is feasible with the MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard.

Earn extra bonus factors and Tier Credit to unlock standing quicker

In case you’re planning a visit to Las Vegas and haven’t already signed up for the MGM Rewards loyalty program, you want to take action. This system is free to affix, and its entry-level Sapphire elite standing tier offers members entry to reductions on choose exhibits, the assured lowest room price gives accessible and the power to earn MGM Rewards factors.

All MGM Rewards members, no matter standing tier, will earn 1 level per greenback spent on eligible expenses, however should you maintain the MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard, you may earn 6 factors per greenback spent at MGM Rewards Locations; 2 factors per greenback spent at inns, eating venues, fuel stations and grocery shops; and 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases, together with BetMGM deposits*. So, should you’re an MGM Rewards member holding this premium card, you possibly can earn as much as 7 factors per greenback spent.

Then, your MGM Rewards factors might be redeemed at a price of 1 cent per level for lodge stays, eating, leisure, spa providers and extra.

In case you’re climbing the MGM elite standing tiers, know that as an MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard cardholder, you may obtain complimentary Pearl standing**. Plus, your card gives a quick observe to Gold standing with as little as $6,000 in strategic spending on the cardboard within the first 12 months, due to the present welcome bonus. All MGM Rewards members earn 4 Tier Credit per greenback spent, whereas premium cardholders earn as much as a further 6 Tier Credit per greenback spent.

Subsequently, cardholders can earn as much as 10 Tier Credit per greenback spent at MGM Rewards Locations.*

So, as a cardholder, you possibly can earn hundreds of MGM Rewards factors and Tier Credit in your subsequent Vegas trip. Your MGM Rewards factors can unlock extra financial savings in your subsequent journey, plus the upper elite standing tiers provide elevated perks like waived resort charges.

Associated: 21 issues to know earlier than staying on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

Backside line

From premier eating places to world-class exhibits, Vegas has one thing for everybody.

In case you’re wanting to economize on extra charges and for assist overlaying a few of your itinerary bills — like a much-needed spa service for a little bit relaxation and leisure — the perks of the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard are noteworthy.

With an annual price of solely $249****, the MGM Rewards Iconic Mastercard gives cardholders the prospect to get greater than $1,000 in worth within the first 12 months. For our journey, the $200 annual resort credit score* and free self-parking*** would offset the annual price. And should you maintain spending on the cardboard, you possibly can unlock a complimentary night time value as much as $250* (after spending no less than $25,000 on purchases together with your card every card anniversary 12 months), which I would completely love to make use of at a lodge such because the Bellagio for a future journey to Vegas.

Nonetheless, should you’re nonetheless seeking to earn MGM Rewards factors and Tier Credit and profit from additional perks accessible with Pearl standing** however don’t want to pay an annual price, the MGM Rewards World Elite Mastercard® could possibly be a great possibility.

Total, after only a small style of what Vegas has to supply, I am already planning my subsequent getaway to this iconic vacation spot.

^Presents might range relying on the place you apply, for instance, on-line or in particular person. To reap the benefits of this provide, apply now instantly by means of this commercial. Overview provide particulars earlier than you apply.

*See the Credit score Card Rewards Phrases and Situations for particulars. MGM Resorts Worldwide owns the MGM Rewards program. Factors are known as MGM Mastercard Factors and might be redeemed for SLOT DOLLARS® and MGM Rewards Factors. Please go to mgmrewards.com or name 866.789.6716 for MGM Rewards program guidelines, together with incomes, redemption, expiration, and forfeiture of Factors and Tier Credit. MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard phrases, click on right here.

**MGM Rewards Tier will stay no less than Pearl Standing so long as your account stays open and in good standing.

***Self-parking is complimentary for MGM Rewards Mastercard cardholders. Company should insert their MGM Rewards Card on the exit gate to obtain the free parking profit. All parking is topic to availability, which can range by facility location and Tier Standing.

****For extra details about Annual Proportion Charges (APRs), charges and different prices, see the Abstract of Credit score Phrases.

Playing cards are issued by First Nationwide Financial institution of Omaha (FNBO®), pursuant to a license from Mastercard Worldwide Integrated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard Worldwide Integrated.