Casino membership

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Las Vegas is a city of status.

No, we're not talking about just hotel status, though that can be very helpful here, too. We're talking about VIP lines for everything, from taxis to top-notch shows and nightclubs. Perks count in Vegas — for discounts on shopping, free parking and waived resort fees.

So, what's the best status to earn? That depends on what's most important to you. You won't find a benefit like waived resort fees in every casino loyalty program. That's why we're exploring the top-tier loyalty programs in Las Vegas, as well as a few others you may find useful in Sin City.

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MGM Resorts — M Life

MGM owns and operates some of the most popular casinos in Las Vegas and other locations around the U.S.

In Las Vegas, this means the popular MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mirage and Mandalay Bay resorts are part of the M Life program. The program has five elite tiers, which require a set number of tier credits to earn:

• Sapphire - None
• Pearl - 25,000 tier credits
• Gold - 75,000 tier credits
• Platinum - 200,000 tier credits
• Noir - invitation only

Related: The best starter travel cards of 2021

Tier credits can be earned on all gaming activities and spending on hotel rooms, dining, entertainment and spa services. M Life members earn 25 tier credits per $1 spent at Las Vegas locations. M Life members also earn eight Tier credits per dollar for room and incidental charges at participating Hyatt hotels. The M Life "elite calendar" usually runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the following year.

You can also earn free hotel rooms, show tickets and other prizes at MGM Resorts by playing the MyVegas app.

Related: Inside the hidden 51-room luxury hotel at the top of the MGM Grand

Sapphire

Sapphire is the M Life status level you receive just for signing up. The most valuable benefit offered is the discount on room rates at participating MGM properties. You'll also enjoy a 5% discount on shopping at participating shops and early access to tickets for select events at MGM Resorts nationwide.

If you plan to use a car during your time in Las Vegas, this entry-level status gives you an Avis rental car discount and grants you exclusive access to mobile check-in with the MGM Resorts mobile app.

Pearl

Pearl status is awarded after you earn 25,000 tier credits in a program year. World of Hyatt Discoverist members can also match their status to M Life Pearl (learn more about how to rock Vegas with status matches).

Pearl members enjoy a 10% bonus on points earned from slot play and on earning Express Comps along with the benefits of Sapphire status. They also receive an additional six months of expiration time, invitations to members-only events, as well as a 10% discount on shopping at participating stores. Pearl members also have self-parking fees waived, which can add up if you have a rental car for your Vegas vacation.

Related: 10 things no one tells you about Vegas

Gold

Gold status is for those who spend a whole lot on gambling, hotel rooms and dining. It requires 75,000 tier credits per program year to obtain or retain and comes with all Pearl status perks and quite a few more. World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members can match their status to M Life Gold.

In addition to all the benefits of Pearl status, Gold members earn a 20% bonus on slot play and Express Comps. They have access to priority check-in lines and room upgrades (excluding suites) for hotel stays. Gold members also enjoy priority reservations at restaurants and VIP lines for buffets and select nightclubs in Las Vegas. Gold status also includes free valet parking. Finally, MGM's partnership with Royal Caribbean affords Gold members some modest benefits on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises, including a $125 onboard credit.

Related: Cruising with a family: Booking two staterooms for the price of one

Platinum

Platinum members need to amass 200,000 tier credits during a program year. In addition to Gold status benefits, Platinum members receive one free cruise per program year on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in the Bahamas or the Caribbean in an Oceanview Stateroom. The length of the cruise is either three, four or five nights, depending on your gambling history. Platinum members also receive a $200 onboard credit on all cruises.

Platinum members also earn a 30% bonus on slots play and Express Comps and a 15% discount at participating shops. Platinum members also receive priority access to pool, cabana and spa reservations, as well as valet and taxi services.

Related: A beginner's guide to cruise line loyalty programs

Noir

Noir status is the highest advertised level in the M Life program and it's invitation-only. There are rumors of needing to spend at least $250,000 per year in MGM casinos, though those are unconfirmed.

Noir members receive a complimentary cruise for two in a Balcony Stateroom. The choices include a seven-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean or a seven-night Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Cruises. Noir members also receive $300 onboard credit.

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Additionally, they earn a 40% bonus on slots play and Express Comps and they have a higher limit on the number of Express Comps they can earn. Noir members have access to VIP check-in services that include a private lounge in most MGM resorts. They're also guaranteed hotel reservations and restaurant reservations under certain circumstances and receive complimentary limo service to and from the airport to the hotel.

Related: VIP treatment: Your guide to invitation-only airline and hotel elite status

Caesars Rewards

Caesars Rewards is the other top-tier loyalty program in Las Vegas, especially when it comes to the number of participating properties, including Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Bally's and Harrah's. Caesars has plenty of properties, but they tend to be a notch or two below the best MGM properties in Las Vegas.

Caesars Rewards has six elite levels, with members earning tier credits during a calendar year. Earning rates vary on tier credits. Slot play earns one tier credit for every $5, while video poker earns one tier credit for every $10 of play. You'll also earn five tier credits for every dollar spent on room rates and resort fees and one tier credit per dollar spent on pretty much everything else (dining, spa services, shopping, pool, etc.).

You can also earn Caesars Rewards Credits through partners like DoorDash, Ray-Ban and Godiva. You can also earn rewards through their Facebook games.

Related: 8 things to know about using Uber in Las Vegas

Gold

Caesars Rewards Gold members are eligible for free or discounted hotel stays, subject to your level of play. For every 5,000 tier credits you earn, you'll be eligible for a free hotel night in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. This benefit caps at seven nights

Gold members also get access to special pricing at participating restaurants and early access to tickets for certain shows, as well as discounted rates at Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Related: An insider's guide to the top 13 things to do in Las Vegas

Platinum

Platinum status requires 5,000 tier credits in a calendar year. Additionally, Wyndham Platinum members are eligible for a status match to Platinum in the Caesars Rewards program. The match entitles you to some moderate benefits with Wyndham, such as accelerated points-earning and late checkout (subject to availability).

Platinum members receive Gold status benefits, plus a 15% discount at casino gift shops and free valet and self-parking at most casino locations. Platinum members can also enjoy a complimentary two-or-three-night stay at Atlantis, depending on peak season.

Platinum members can give 5,000 Reward Credits to a friend and receive a 10% discount on select Norwegian Cruise Line vacations.

Related: 7 tips for visiting Atlantis on a budget

Diamond

Diamond status requires 15,000 tier credits in a calendar year. Wyndham Diamond members are also eligible for a status match to Caesars Diamond, which can be very rewarding.

On top of all the benefits of Platinum status, Diamond members received a handful of valuable benefits -- for example, you won't pay resort fees at any Caesars property. Considering resort fees have started edging up as high as $50 per night at some properties, these savings can add up quickly.

Diamond members are also entitled to a 15% discount on a certain hotel room and suite rates, two free nights at Caesars Bluewaters Dubai and guaranteed rooms in Las Vegas and Atlantic City with 72 hours' notice. As a Diamond member, you'll also receive a $100 dining credit for a Celebration Dinner when earning Diamond status (even via status match) and a 20% discount at casino gift shops.

Other key benefits of Diamond status include access to VIP Laurel Lounges located in most casinos, priority lines for restaurants and priority or VIP check-in at hotels. Diamond members also earn a four-night stay at Atlantis and a 20% discount on select Norwegian Cruise Line vacations. All Diamond members have the opportunity to match their Caesars status to Wyndham Diamond. Wyndham Diamond members are entitled to suite upgrades, a welcome amenity at check-in and the ability to give Gold status to someone.

Related: From zero to hero: Saving hundreds in Vegas with an easy status match

Diamond Plus

Diamond Plus status requires 25,000 tier credits in a calendar year. In addition to receiving the basic Diamond-level rewards, Diamond Plus members also receive complimentary access to the VIP Laurel Lounge.

Related: How to get to Las Vegas with points and miles

Diamond Elite

Diamond Elite status requires 75,000 tier credits per calendar year. Diamond Elite members earn everything at the Diamond Plus and below levels and an additional perk: A $600 airfare credit Las Vegas.

Related: There's a new method to match your way to top-tier casino status

Seven Stars

Seven Stars is the highest published level of the Caesars Rewards program. It requires a whopping 150,000 tier credits per calendar year. But for the serious gambler, the perks may be worth staying loyal to Caesars.

In addition to all the benefits of Diamond Elite status, Seven Stars members are entitled to a best-room-available upgrade at check-in, complimentary early check-in and late checkout, a $500 Celebration Dinner and a 25% discount at gift shops.

Seven Stars members also receive $1,200 in airfare credit to fly to any Caesars Rewards destination and a $500 dining credit when they arrive. They can share their status with a companion and get access to Signature Events (based on their Tier Score). Previous examples have included complimentary hotel stays accompanied by free dinners, lake cruises and free events where players can earn prizes.

Seven Stars members receive a free Congratulatory Voyage on Norwegian Cruise Line, 30% discounts on select Norwegian Cruise Line vacations and a 25% discount at casino gift shops.

Related: The 6 best cruise lines for solo travelers

Other programs

M Life and Caesars Rewards are by far the biggest loyalty programs in Las Vegas, but they're not the only ones.

Some other popular casinos have loyalty programs too. As with airline and hotel loyalty programs, we always recommend signing up for the program just in case. You never know when a valuable offer may come your way.

Here's a look at some of the smaller programs.

Station Casinos MyBoardingPass

Station Casinos used to be known as the casinos where locals did their gambling. With 19 casinos in and around Las Vegas, you are never that far from one wherever you live. Casinos such as Sunset Station and Santa Fe Station have hotels and restaurants but also cater to locals. The vast majority of Station Casinos have affordable buffets and lower table limits. However, Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Casino both represent a dramatic step up in quality.

These off-Strip casinos rarely charge for parking and other perks, so the benefits of MyBoardingPass focus more on discounts at gift shops, cash back and points for slot play. However, serious gamblers or spenders can earn free Princess Cruises vacation and other VIP benefits like limousine service.

Related: Life on the casino floor

Venetian and Palazzo Grazie

The Venetian and Palazzo casinos are run by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Both participate in the Grazie program, which offers similar benefits to M Life and Caesars on a smaller scale.

Perks include a partnership with Canyon Ranch Spa for discounts on spa services and the ability to get VIP access to Tao Beach & Nightclub. Grazie members can also transfer their Slot Reward points for IHG Rewards Club points, redeemable for IHG hotel stays worldwide.

Related: Formerly a 'wasteland' of points hotels, Las Vegas is awash with options for those loyal to chains

Wynn and Encore Red Card Club

Wynn and Encore are two connected resorts at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. The Red Card Club program is deliberately vague about how you earn benefits. That's probably a nod to the clientele at those casinos, which may be less price-conscious (room rates at both are some of the highest on the Strip).

Some mentioned benefits include discounts in Wynn Palace restaurants, exclusive special events and promotions invitations, and for the highest-level members, the opportunity of private dining room privileges, VIP lounge access and complimentary valet parking service. You can also become a WynnInsider and save up to 35% on rooms and up to 20% on Tower Suites.

Interested in earning Wynn status quickly? Take advantage of this new status match. You can status match eligible casino elite status to Wynn quickly.

Related: Review: Wynn Las Vegas

Bottom line

Las Vegas is a land of limitless attractions, whether gambling, dining or zip-lining over the casinos. The occasional visitor can have plenty of fun, but you'll probably see VIP lines and hear about special events you think are closed to you. When Vegas was all about gambling, that may have been the case. But these loyalty programs all generally award points (and status) for your dining, shopping and spa services, a clear indication that the definition of loyalty in Las Vegas has shifted.

The bigger programs, such as M Life and Caesars Rewards, give travelers the ability to visit a host of different casinos (and restaurants, shops and spas) while amassing points and loyalty currency in a single program. And the benefits and experiences in the larger programs also seem to have spawned others.

Specifically, the Princess Cruises benefit at Station Casinos appears to be a competitive answer to M Life and Caesars Rewards. With competition, customers can reap the rewards. Don't leave those benefits on the table.

Additional reporting by Mimi Wright and Andrew Kunesh.