rewrite this title MGM Is Launching a New Credit Card. Here's the Inside Scoop. – NerdWallet

MGM Resorts is rolling the dice on a shiny new credit card with an annual fee: the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard. The card will start accepting applications on April 17, 2025. That’s exciting news for those who spend a lot in the MGM ecosystem, which includes well-known properties like the Bellagio Las Vegas. But casual visitors are likely better off looking elsewhere.

Issued by the First National Bank of Omaha, the brand new card comes with an annual fee of $249. In exchange, cardholders will get access to a yearly $200 resort credit, faster ways to earn MGM points and tier status, and a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years — a perk commonly found with other travel credit cards.

A select group of MGM cardholders will be invited to upgrade to the card and receive a limited-edition premium metal veneer card. New applicants can also receive the limited-edition card, while supplies last.

Welcome offer: Spend $5,000 in the first three billing cycles and receive 40,000 bonus points and 10,000 tier credits.

Compared to welcome offers on other cards with similar annual fees, this one is relatively low for the amount of spend required. While it’s nice to have, don’t make it the reason you get the card. Those who upgrade to the new card from MGM’s existing no-annual-fee credit card will have their annual fee waived for the first year, but they will not receive any bonus points.

MGM also partners with Marriott Bonvoy, allowing you to transfer between the two loyalty currencies at a rate of 10 MGM Rewards points to 8 Marriott Bonvoy points. Because MGM Rewards points are worth 1 cent per point, you’d actually lose value by transferring your MGM points, as NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.9 cent per point.

If you’re a big spender at MGM, this card could be a good fit for your wallet. It gives you the ability to unlock perks like a free night and a 10,000 tier credit bonus after spending $25,000 in a calendar year. Plus, the annual $200 resort credit helps make up for a significant chunk of the annual fee.

One potential downside: There’s no way to redeem this credit online. You’ll need to visit the MGM Rewards desk of the resort where you’re staying and ask them to apply it.

Compared to MGM’s entry-level card with no annual fee, the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard offers more benefits and allows you to earn points and tier credits twice as fast for spending at MGM Rewards destinations and on hotels and dining. That goes a long way if you’re chasing Gold and Platinum tier status.

The automatic MGM Pearl elite status benefits include free self-parking at participating locations and Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status after linking account, but you would get the same elite status benefits with the no-annual-fee MGM card.

Whether this card makes sense for you will also depend on what travel credit cards you already hold, as some of the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard’s benefits overlap with perks from other cards, such as the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. And while the card comes with a Priority Pass membership, it’s the most basic version that doesn’t come with any complimentary lounge visits. Instead, each visit will cost you $35.

If you enjoy staying at MGM properties but aren’t interested in indulging yourself on the casino floor, a Marriott Bonvoy credit card might be a better fit for you. Because of the MGM-Marriott partnership, you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for stays at eligible MGM properties.

For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, which has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees), earns 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 spent at Marriott properties and grants you Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Note that it doesn’t come with any statement credits to offset the annual fee. However, it does come with a valuable welcome offer: Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

For those who don’t spend a lot but would prefer MGM elite perks over Marriott’s, consider the MGM Rewards Mastercard, which also comes with complimentary Pearl status despite having no annual fee. Plus, Slot Dollars and MGM Rewards points won’t expire due to inactivity.

Casual Las Vegas visitors will likely have better luck with a credit card that earns transferable rewards, which offers more flexibility with how you can use your points. With transferable points, you can move your points to a number of partner airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Let’s say you’re visiting a city where it’s cheaper to book the Hyatt property than the Marriott. If you had transferable points, you could move your points to Hyatt and book your stay; if you had Marriott points, then you’re out of luck with the Hyatt. (If earning MGM points is important to you, keep in mind that MGM Rewards doesn’t have any other transfer partners besides Marriott Bonvoy.)