Is Platinum MLife (and free cruise) worth chasing in your opinion? 3rd Vegas trip upcoming

Going to Vegas for a 3rd time in 2020 (and maybe a 4th - either NYE, Holiday Gift Shoppe for MGM or CET. DaiLun, I need to make a post on your post about the gift shops to see why they're all the rage.)

I am newly CET Diamond+ and also MLife Gold, by earnings, not by credit cards or gifting. I have another 80k to go to Platinum.

I don't know where I want to stay, I could enjoy the free resort fees at a Caesars property, but there is no way I hit the next Diamond tier. Or, I could stay at an MLife. Another 80k would be hard to hit, but doable, if I actually play my theo right (Are small, consistent bets smarter/safer than a few, large ones? To maximize coin-in theo and minimize risk? or maybe I just got very unlucky my last two trips - but I don't believe I came close to a 10-20 percent loss, much worse).

My questions are:

• How do the cruise offers work, the terms say anywhere from a 3-5 day cruise in the Caribbean. Side note, I worked on cruises as the art auctioneer from 2014-2016ish, the Caribbean is my least favorite place, but I could combine this cruise with my free stay at Paradise compliments Caesars Diamond). Do they give Platinum 160k tier credit players a 3-Day and almost-Noirs a 5 day?
• Has anyone inquired about booking theirs this year, the cruise industry is obviously on a hold... will it be honored even if you have to wait til 2022 to sail if COVID doesn't go well?
• Are there any other legitimate benefits to Platinum over Gold? I know with MLife in particular it is more about spend than tier...
• When was MGM's tier credit multiplier last year? Have they done it every year, any rumors on it this year?
• Stupidest question, do you earn 1 cruise per earning year or do I get one "this year except not due to COVID" and next?

Thanks in advance!

 

If I were you, I would familiarize myself with the mLIfe level benefits. You could have answered a lot of your questions by reading this:

https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/tiers.html

Details on the cruise from the page above:

2 One (1) cruise benefit per year is available for each qualifying Platinum and NOIR Member. Cruise benefit is valid for member and one (1) guest (subject to availability) for each Tier Status Benefit Year that member has such Tier Level status. Unless otherwise indicated, cruise must be booked during the applicable Tier Status Benefit Year (2/1 – 1/31) for travel completed within three (3) months after the applicable period. For cruise benefit offered in 2020 only, cruise must be booked by 12/31/20 for travel completed no later than 3/31/21 (subject to change). Length of cruise, cruise destinations, and room type will depend upon member’s recent MGM Resorts spend and gaming play. Members are responsible for transportation to/from cruise embarkation and final disembarkation locations. Certain restrictions, fees, and limitations apply. Subject to additional terms and conditions available at mgmresorts.com/royalandcelebritycruises.

What is the Annual Complimentary Cruise Benefit?

Qualifying Platinum Members receive one (1) cruise for two per year in an Oceanview Stateroom consisting of a 3, 4, or 5 night Bahamas or Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises. The length of the cruise benefit is based on recent MGM Resorts gaming activity. NOIR Members receive one (1) cruise for two per year in a Balcony Stateroom consisting of a 7 Night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean or 7 Night Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Cruises.

Whether or not mLife Platinum is worth it to you is PURELY subjective, and depends on what's important to you vs. how much you need to "spend" to get it.

For me, Gold what all I needed because I was comfortable paying resort fees to stay at "classier" properties. Gold got me comp valet.

Unless you really, REALLY, REALLY want a "free" cruise, you can probably purchase one for less than the amount you'd need to gamble on slots.

I've told this story numerous times before, but it illustrates the "idiocy" of playing for comps.

In 2015, I was 100,000 TC away from Platinum level. I decided to try to get it all in one 3 day trip at Mirage.

My normal budget for a 3 day trip is about $4K. I was down $7k to make 100K TC. In the last 30 Minutes (literally, as I returning back to my room to pack for the trip home), I hit a $6000 jackpot.

200K TC is about $60,000 in slot action, or $200K in VP action.

mLife Platinum members (160,000 this year gets a "free cruise" every year. The mLife year ends 12/31/2020, so you only have 3-1/2 months to make Paltinum

Plus the Platinum cruise is only 5 days, so you are limited to where you can go, and I'm not sure if you can upgrade the cruise.

I took the "free" 7 day CET cruise to Alaska and I still had to come about $1000 out of pocket.

It is unclear as to what the cruise terms will be due to COVID limitations. You (like everyone else) will just have to wait and see.

There is NO WAY that I )or anyone else) can tell you if it's worth it. You'd have to look at all the benefits of mLife Platinum and decide foir yourself if it's worth it.

 

Thanks DaiLun, I didn't know if anyone who had earned the cruise had inquired and gotten some information just yet. MLife won't let you cruise to Alaska will they? When I worked cruises I was to be sent to Norway, got transferred last minute to Alaska, was so bummed until I realized I LOVED Alaska. I wouldn't play to earn a comp at this point, but since I am already halfway there, and I have at least 1 more trip in me... maybe. When you say 200k is approx 60k in slot action, is that 60k cold cash or is that 60k of coin in, which, theoretically, is supposed to be what... 15,000 withdrawn from your bank account to get there?

 

New Q, do point bonuses get applied to TC earning as well? So these 80k would technically cost me a little less to earn if all odds are the same, due to the gold 20% bonus?

 

mLife's Cruise partners are Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Both cruise lines do go to Alaska, but the Mexican Riviera is OUT for both cruise lines. If you want to cruise Alaska, IMHO, you're better off getting a cruise from CET on a promotion and see about upgrading. That's how my BFF went to Alaska.

I can't address what it would take you to make 80,000 mLife points, but someone has a chart out there. Google mLife points.

Another option is URcomped.com , who specializes in cruise comps. I have Not used them but others on this board have.

 

Not worth it unless you are already playing/spending that much...

Celebrity does sail to Alaska, we have a "free" Alaska cruise booked there for next year. (Cruises from Seattle, Vancouver or Seward)

If your play is good you might be invited to offers for a free NCL cruise at the CET casinos you play at. (Though not seen those offers since covid.) Sometimes those even include european cruise options. All I've seen were insides. Paid upgrades are possible, in the past it was usually $500 to move up one class on NCL, but this may vary.

 

I got Platinum the past couple of years more based on spending than on gambling. At 25x the number of dollars spent in Vegas for eight people to eat and stay, it is not hard to do.

I would note that my cruise offer was 3 days or an equivalent value (something between $300-$400 on a longer cruise). We did take a 4 day Royal Caribbean cruise and loved it and would take advantage of a future offer post-Covid.

 

Cruise offers have slowed down in recent months for obvious reasons, but if you really want a comped cruise, I know I frequently get offers for a "free cruise" along with a stay. The offer is normally for standard oceanview room or balcony room that can be "upgraded" to a mini suite or suite with more play.

For me these normally come from Grazie because that was my main loyalty club on strip, but I have also received similar offers from CET, Penn National or Mlife. Rather than forcing Platinum for a free cruise, I'd recommend waiting for one of those offers. My ex and I took advantage of those on several occassions. Although the "free" cruise (like "free drinks in the casino) never ended up being truly gratis, it was a nice reward for our play and we always enjoyed taking it as a break from Vegas.

 

I earned Platinum for years and spent lots of time doing the research for cruise (another hobby of mine in addition to gambling).
I have cruise offers from several casino companies, 3 nights, 5 nights, 7 nights.
You know what? The deals I found online through some cruise agencies were cheaper than the "free cruise" offers.
Because for those offers you have to pay a lots of fees, taxes etc.
Unless you just have to cruise at a particulay time, such as Xmas, you can generally find good deal online.

 

CET and many other casinos offer free cruise promotions from time to time.

some of the cruiselines will do a free or discounted cruise with the right level of play. We have taken a half dozen free cruises with NCL - even got a suite a few times. The Mlife deal is somewhat restrictive as to where you go.

 

It may be easier for your to gain Diamond Elite at Caesars and Tier match to Platinum, if you are already Plus.

 

Thanks for the replies above, interesting. Does anyone have experience this year calling and asking for their free cruise and being told it is pushed to next year and will still be valid or anything?

Brandt, I am still trying to figure out my preferred property and go from there, MLife or CET (or now I wonder is it Cosmo or Grazie?). I really only like Caesars, Cromwell and PH on the CET side... and one of those rumored to be gone soon... Hitting 40k more tier credits when I am currently at 20k does NOT sound easy, unless they do another 5x multiplier. And the benefits for Elite over Plus don't seem... like there are any?

 

FYI I got a free Royal Caribbean cruise offer from Downtown Grand last October, but I wasn't able to make it to Vegas that weekend. So if you are putting in a lot of play at DTG, you might start getting cruise offers from them when those offers resume.

 

Re

I don't think the tier match allows you to get a cruise.

See https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/tier-match-promotion-rules.html:

10. Matched Tiers are subject to the M life Rules (click here) and will be valid through the following Tier Status Benefit Year as described in Rule 16 of the M life Rules (i.e., through January, 31, 2022). The M life Program’s Annual Complimentary Cruise benefit is only available to M life Program Platinum and NOIR members who earned their tier level based on gaming play and eligible spend at participating M life Program US destinations. Therefore, individuals who receive a Platinum level Tier Match through this Promotion (and not as described above) do not qualify for the Annual Complimentary Cruise benefit.

 

Ha, thanks for the info! I switched to DT (and primarily the DTG) from the strip about 18 months ago or so and have been getting extremely generous offers from DTG but so far nothing along the lines of a cruise offer. But as I was typing this I wondered if they ever do a cruise giveaway themselves, as that offer from Grazie was often one I tried to make a point of getting. So this is good to know, thanks again!

 

The only tangible benefit of Elite over Plus is the $600 airfare credit. Now that being said, you'll be treated better by staff, have better tier match options at other casinos due to the much higher level. Platinum does provide more benefits than Gold, but Mlife Platinum is really not better in terms of perks than Diamond Plus.

Here's a good comparison as I am both Elite and Platinum:

Check In Experience:

Caesars- Diamond Registration (most Vegas hotels have this room). If not invited guest line.
Mlife- Invited Guest line except at MGM Grand (Stay Well Lounge). Luxor, Excalibur, NYNY allows you to check in at the VIP Lounge.
Upon check in at an MGM property you are supposed to get a welcome letter with the option for tickets to certain attractions like Shark Reef or
the Dolphin Encounter. Only gotten this letter once in all the years I've been going.

Lounge Access/Perks:

Caesars: Unlimited access to all Laurel Lounges which contain snacks, hot food (4-6) and free alcoholic drinks
MLife: Luxor and Excalibur have only soda, water, juice. NYNY has coffee, cookies, pretzels.

Line Passes:
Caesars: Buffets, restaurants, casino cage, taxi, etc.
MLife: Buffet, cafe, taxi. Low and mid tier properties have a Platinum or lower line for the cage, etc.

Travel Perks:

Caesars: Free nights in Atlantis.
MLife: Free cruise

Other Perks:

Caesars: Diamond Anniversary $100 dinner cert. 2 Free show tickets per month.
Mlife: Priority valet. Basically they have to take your car even if valet is full. Your car should come out quicker too.

Really depends on which hotel group you like better. That is really all that matters. Both have gotten hella stingy with things like housekeeping, room service, maintenance even before the virus. I'll happily play at both but as soon as Wynn rolls out their Red Card program with tiers, I'm not only staying with them but putting most of my play there. I'd keep Diamond simply for the Laurel Lounge access. I love their chips/dip and hummus and the drinks.

 

Unless i specifically ask for the welcome letter, they don't offer it up. I have used it for the Bellagio gallery of fine arts a few times

 

PeteVegas, how is the gallery? Former cruise ship art auctioneer here, love art, but is it up to par with a major art museum in a large city or what makes it special? Now to learn how to use multi quote to reply to Paul...

 

Agreed-learned that by asking how to get my benefit when checking in at Delano VIP lounge. We’ve now used it for Shark Reef, Bellagio Conservatory and the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at Mirage. Pleasant diversions when looking for something to do for no cost when looking for a break from gambling.

 

My first year being Diamond Plus and Gold this year (trying to compare programs, 2020 probably not the best year to do it) - Do staff ACTUALLY care about these tiers? And have you ever whipped one out at a nightclub offstrip or in a different casino brand and been treated differently? I would imagine they would obviously give you required benefits, but do you actually notice a difference in personality and attitude / treatment? July I got a reservation at Lago and told them it was my birthday, using their online system, but I don't THINK it asked for my name or MLife number, and when I asked the hostess upon arrival for a window seat to watch the fountain, I don't think she asked for it either, or knew I was Pearl / almost gold at the time. Thankfully, she still hooked us up. It feels cheesy or ******y to me to flash my card in her direction when making this request.... no? Should I delete that thought from my head?

Caesars, yep, I've SEEN the Diamond registration room at Caesars Palace but closed due to COVID when staying in my tower (Augustus or Octavius I forget). I've also seen the special short line (and used it) at Luxor before, but you're telling me they also have a separate lounge? Indeed as Pete said I've seen from a few people you have to ask for this letter, which I would not call a check-in experience personally but I digress. This doesn't cost them squat, the art gallery and gardens and aquariums have a fixed cost... anyways...

MLife has lounges?!!!!!!!!!?! I didn't get to use the Diamond Lounge yet as I hit Diamond and almost plus at the end of my trip, but I suppose I'll see one eventually. For now, I'll just take the free drinks from the ever changing list of restaurants that supposedly support it. You only mention the lower level MLife properties, how about their other ones, i.e. Bellagio? Aria?

Seen and used some of these, had the taxi situation happen to me once when desperately ready to get home at 4 am with no cabs in sight, wasn't thrilled but now I can use the line, thank god. Buffets are a sore spot for me, I am a small eater, I love the variety but I never eat NEAR enough food to find value in them. Thus, in my 20+ trips to Vegas, I have never been to one. Give me a tapas buffet with a limit of 10 tiny items instead and I am game!!!

Excited to redeem that $100 when I return. Do I get one in 2020 AND 2021 since earned during 2020? I presume that you only get tickets on the months you personally visit, and can't gift to friends? And I presume they aren't handing out replacement tickets to say, the Big Roller, in the meantime? Just a lost perk due to COVID for now?

That's a tough one, truthfully, I think ALMOST everyone can agree MLife has better properties, and better gaming experiences. That said, they can be more expensive, and they don't agree to officially have to provide much per tier like Caesar's does... the sooner we return to normal and the sooner I can really try out these Gold and Diamond+ benefits, the sooner I can speak for certain. Or maybe burn both and switch to Cosmo and Wynn like you said. I always assumed I was too poor for Wynn. Lol. Cosmo's biggest problem is that they only have a single property.

Thanks for all of your feedback!!