The much-delayed and convoluted process of partnering MGM Resorts with Marriott appears to finally come to fruition, as it seems as if the Marriott-MGM integration is complete!
Are you sick of hearing about this partnership yet? Just a couple of weeks ago, I reported that the first few MGM properties were now bookable with Marriott. At the time, four properties joined the Cosmopolitan, which was already a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, in Marriott’s system. Those included:
- The Signature at MGM Grand
- MGM Grand
- New York-New York
- Excalibur
The two also noted that the following properties would join in March 2024:
- Bellagio
- Vdara
- Aria
- Park MGM
- Luxor
- Mandalay Bay
However, that list excludes all the non-Vegas properties and the NoMad Las Vegas, for which no timeline was given. Well, it seems that they were able to get everyone onto the system in a timely fashion, as it appears that the Marriott-MGM integration is complete.
Marriott-MGM Integration Is Complete
On Wednesday, March 6, Marriott sent out an email stating that they’re now ready to welcome us to fabulous Las Vegas! When I first saw the email, I half thought that that they were referring to the initial set of properties. But, no, the email referenced others, including the Borgata in Atlantic City. Curious, I clicked in.
The MGM Collection landing page is laid out in a somewhat confusing fashion. They list all of the Vegas properties at the top, followed by the non-Vegas ones. However, wedged in between is a carousel listing of “Names You Already Know,” including Aria Resort, Bellagio, Cosmo, and Park MGM. So, indeed, all the names that should be there… Well, with the exception of NoMad Las Vegas. That said, for the properties that are listed, when you click into the individual properties, you can pull up their availability and book stays.
I won’t compare prices again as I did with the initial set of hotels a few weeks back. I’m also not going to cover elite benefits again, as nothing has changed on that front. But, since the Marriott-MGM integration is complete and certain properties are now bookable, I did go in to see if properties within properties would show up. Unfortunately (and unsurprisingly), they don’t.
That means, unlike via MGM’s own site, when you search for a room at the Mandalay, you won’t see Delano rooms pop up as options, which is what I was hoping for. Of course, that was unlikely to happen, as the Delano Las Vegas is a joint-venture development with Morgans Hotel Group.
I did also check to see if the NoMad would pop up in searches for Park MGM rooms, and it didn’t. Even a general search on Marriott.com didn’t bring the hotel up. I wonder why this particular property is taking so long to integrate? Or, perhaps, the NoMad is no longer part of the agreement? It was left out of Marriott’s press release.
The above aside, one interesting bit of info on the MGM Collection page caught my eye: it sounds like you need to use the MGM Rewards App to access digital keys at MGM properties, even if you book through Marriott.
That’s really interesting, and something that diminishes the experience for Marriott loyalists that automatically do everything through Marriott and have no affiliation with MGM Rewards. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter, but is a potential inconvenience to be aware of.
Final Thoughts
As I’ve said since we learned of the benefits the partnership would bring, I have mixed feelings. To me, now that the Marriott-MGM integration is complete, it actually makes booking more complicated. If I had a desire to go to Vegas, I now have to see if its cheaper to book with Marriott or MGM, while also considering which program I’d rather credit my stay to, and what set of benefits I want to take advantage of. Benefits-wise, MGM Rewards elite members definitely do better. Heck, booking direct would be more convenient, too, since you need the MGM Rewards app for digital room keys, anyway!
Anyway, how do you all feel now that the Marriott-MGM integration is complete?