Mlife versus Total Rewards

[Dan Druff]

With so many complaints out here about Total Rewards, many are thinking of jumping to MGM (Mlife).

Here is a comparison...

Total Rewards has 4 levels: Gold (entry), Platinum, Diamond, and Seven Stars

Mlife has 5 levels: Sapphire (entry), Pearl, Gold, Platinum, Noir

You reach these levels by earning tier credits. However, the tier credits are very different between the two property groups.

Total Rewards:
$10 slots coin-in earns 2 tier credits
$10 VP coin-in earns 1 tier credit
* Certain high-return VP machines will only earn as little as 0.2 tier credits at some properties

Mlife:
$10 slots coin-in earns 33.3 tier credits
$10 VP coin-in earns 10 tier credits
* Certain slot machines (with high licensing fees) only earn 10 tier credits per $10

This gives the appearance that Mlife is way better, but you also need a lot more tier credits to earn each level. Below is an approximate equivalency for each tier level at the two property groups. Note that I am listing coin-in for "typical" VP, and not slots.

TR Gold = Mlife Sapphire (both 0 coin-in)

TR Platinum ($50,000 coin-in) = Mlife Pearl ($25,000 coin-in) and Mlife Gold ($75,000 coin-in)

TR Diamond ($150,000 coin-in) = Mlife Platinum ($200,000 coin-in)

TR Seven Stars ($1,500,000 coin-in) = Mlife Noir (invite only)

It is important to understand that the TR coin-in can be reduced by as much as a factor of 3 by earning 'bonus' tier credits for heavy play in one day. So you can get to Diamond for just $50,000 coin-in, and Seven Stars for $500,000 coin-in.

It is also important to understand that Noir is "invite only", and it is up to Mlife whether you get there. It is not clear to me what criteria is used to invite you, but it is likely based upon per-trip theoretical loss, meaning it's not good for people who are grinding VP just to get the tier level. It is also possible they won't invite you to the program if you use too many comps and don't generate enough theoretical loss.

Seven Stars also masquerades as "invite only", but it isn't really. While you are not guaranteed Seven Stars at 150,000 tier credits, they tend to approve everyone who doesn't have outstanding marker debt and is in good standing at their properties.

Given all of the above, it is easier to make the Seven Stars tiers than the MGM tiers.

Putting that aside for the moment, let's look at the benefits. I will do that in my next post.

[Dan Druff]

There are various benefits to both programs.

First off, you earn comp points through your play. At Total Rewards, you earn Rewards Credits (RCs). At Mlife, you earn Express Comps. Each RC and Express Comp is worth a penny, usable among their respective properties.

You earn 1 RC per $5 bet in slots.
You earn 1 RC per $10 bet in VP.
You earn 1 Express comp point per $3 bet in slots.
You earn 1 Express comp point for $10 bet in VP.

So you earn more Express Comps in slots (67% more, except at certain licensed slots) than you do with RCs at Total Rewards. In VP, it's the same at both places.

However, don't get too excited about the better Express Comps at Mlife. In general, Express Comps and RCs accumulate very slowly. For every $1,000,000 wagered at VP, you earn $1000 in RCs or Express Comps! Laughable! At slots it's 2-3.3 times better, but still lousy. So it's not really a big factor.

I will say that Express Comps can be redeemd 1:1 for freeplay, whereas RCs can't (at best you get 1.25:1, and never better than 1.75:1 if you're not a Seven Stars).

Overall Express Comps are better, but since you don't accumulate that many, it's not a large factor.

Now let's look at the tier level benefits.

Here is a summary of Mlife benefits: https://www.mlife.com/pages/overview.html

Here is a summary of Total Rewards benefits: https://www.totalrewards.com/TotalRe...age=trBenefits

In case you don't feel like reading all of that, here is my breakdown of the relevant parts:

(I will skip Gold/Sapphire as they don't require any play to "earn".)

First let's look at TR Platinum vs. Mlife Pearl/Gold:

TR Platinum:
- 15% discount at Gift Shops
- Some priority lines
- Status match on WSOP.com to "Platinum", which is 12% rakeback

Mlife Pearl and Mlife Gold:
- Tier Multiplier – 10% (Pearl) or 20% (Gold) bonus on Points and Express Comps
- 10% Discount at Participating Retail Shops
- Buffet Line Pass (Las Vegas Resorts)
- Priority Hotel Check-in Line (Gold)
- VIP Line Access to Nightclubs and Pool Day Clubs for You and a Guest (Gold)

Bottom line is that neither of these are very useful. I call it a wash between the two programs.



Next we will look at TR Diamond vs. Mlife Platinum:

TR Diamond:
- All of the Platinum benefits listed above
- 20% discount at Gift Shops
- Can exchange RCs for freeplay at the rate of $1 per 175 RCs (lower tiers it's $1 per 200 RCs)
- Priority valet parking (from personal experience, this is hit-and-miss though)
- Free access to "Diamond Lounges" where you can get free snacks and drinks, including alcohol
- Special lines at cashier and restaurants
- Special VIP check-in area
- Ability to use Diamond Room (same as payout room) to buy in to WSOP events
- Status match on WSOP.com to "Diamond", which is 15% rakeback
- Ability to cut in waiting list line at live WSOP cash games
- 20% discount on Norwegian Cruises
- Additional benefits if you become a "higher level Diamond"
- Free parking in Atlantic City

Mlife Platinum:
- All benefits of Mlife Pearl and Gold
- Tier Multiplier - 30% bonus on points and Express Comps™
- Priority Valet and Taxi Service
- 15% Discount or more at Participating Retail Shops
- VIP nightclub access
- Spa/salon priority reservations

These have some benefits that are worthwhile.

However, as you can see, Diamond is superior. You get more types of priority lines, plus access to Diamond Lounges. Mlife's one advantage is the 30% bonus you get when earning Express Comps, whereas you don't get any kind of RC bonus at Diamond (or any TR level, for that matter).

Many people simply strive for Diamond at Caesars properties, because most priority lines and lounges are for "Diamond and Seven Stars", so many don't see the point of earning Seven Stars.

To be honest, both of these lists of comps are underwhelming, though the priority lines can be useful when it's crowded.




Finally, let's look at the top tier levels, TR Seven Stars and Mlife Noir.

TR Seven Stars:
- All of the Diamond benefits
- Exchange RCs for freeplay at the rate of $1 per 125 RCs
- Free hotel nights (up to 4-5 consecutive) at any Caesar's property, provided you book 48 hours in advance
- Trip to any Caesar's property with up to $1200 airfare covered and $500 in food credit (one per year)
- "Free" Norwegian Cruise (actually heavily discounted) with Balcony stateroom (one per year)
- Gift from catalog worth about $200
- $500 single meal at a Caesar's owned restaurant (one per year)
- "Signature Event" to choose from
- 35% discount on Norwegian Cruises
- 25% discount at Gift Shops
- Special allowances by request, such as squeezing you into certain full restaurants (you need to ask for these, and will be provided at their discretion)
- Status match to "Seven Stars" on WSOP.com, meaning 30% rakeback
- Limousine from airport at certain properties
- Free upgrade to better room types, if available (but usually not suites)
- Access to Seven Stars lounges at certain properties
- Free internet and in-room movies at most properties

Mlife Noir:
- Everything from Pearl/Gold/Platinum
- Tier Multiplier - 40% bonus on points and Express Comps™
- Complimentary Limousine Service To / From Airport
- Guaranteed Room, Show, and Restaurant Reservations
- "Best Table Available" at restaurants

There is no comparison between these two programs! Seven Stars is FAR superior!

Notice that Seven Stars gives you a number of FREE benefits -- the trip, the cruise (well, mostly free), the meal, the gift, and most importantly, the guaranteed FREE rooms in all markets. Mlife does not get you anything free, as you can see above. You get "guaranteed room reservations" -- but you have to pay for them, unless your host comps them!

This is why TR is far superior at the highest level. You get things which are tangible, whereas Mlife gives you nothing tangible, and just priority status to buy things.


So what about offers and comps? Is Mlife better? Is TR better? That I don't know, because I have no way to compare them. Perhaps someone else can chime in here.

But as far as the tier statuses go, there's no question that I prefer TR, especially at the upper levels.

[Alan Mendelson]

Thanks Dan for the excellent write up and comparisons of the program. What you can't quantify -- and what everyone will have to decide for themselves -- is how they like the various hotels.

I admit that I like Caesars. I don't like MGM. I used to like NYNY back in its early days. I found Bellagio to be stuffy.

The other problem I have is that I ran into trouble at the craps pits at MGM, NYNY and Bellagio and found some their dealers (along with those at Mandalay Bay) some of the nastiest, rudest, uncaring I have ever played with.

I am not an addict who would easily find any MGM property an easy "fix" to replace Caesars.

I'm wondering what WYNN might have to offer? I found that to be a pleasant casino -- not smokey at all which is one of my priorities. Any info on the WYNN program?

[Dan Druff]

Alan, I agree that some of the MGM dealers are awful.

I used to play blackjack at Bellagio, and it was an incredibly surly and unfriendly bunch.

I once had a dealer even make a comment to another player that I "should tip her" but that I "probably won't", after I got lucky on a big hand -- before I even had a chance to get paid yet!

Amazing seeing a group of people making $100,000/year for dealing cards act so miserable.

[regnis]

Don't forget that many of you earn your reward credits in local casinos rather than in Las Vegas. You won't have that ability with MLife.

Caesars has always had the best dealers--at least in craps. I really don't know why but they do.

[Alan Mendelson]

Don't forget that many of you earn your reward credits in local casinos rather than in Las Vegas. You won't have that ability with MLife.

Absolutely true. In fact, my "home casino" according to Total Rewards is Rincon because that is where most of my play is. And I play at Rincon because that's where I get my points for Vegas. If I drop Caesars, there is no reason to play at Rincon... which isn't exactly a bad idea.

Caesars has always had the best dealers--at least in craps. I really don't know why but they do.

Also absolutely true because Caesars kept the seasoned pros. In the past year they added a lot of younger dealers as the old guard retired. Unfortunately the new, young dealers aren't a very friendly bunch, don't care much about the players or the game, and don't add anything to playing. I miss the old crew and I avoid the tables when the new, younger dealers are there. And all this happened in just the last year. It's a shame.

[Vegas Vic]

I pick up reward credits via the TR Visa card. As far as local casinos, I have MGM Detroit and Caesars Windsor, so both programs are in play for me at any time. VP pay tables at these locations are a case of mix & match. Each has their good ones and bad ones depending on what you choose to play, so it's pretty much a toss up. For me, VP play in Vegas favors TR properties over Mlife properties, so that's where I predominately play and ultimately receive comped rooms.

[Vegas_lover]

I will say that Express Comps can be redeemd 1:1 for freeplay, whereas RCs can't (at best you get 1.25:1, and never better than 1.75:1 if you're not a Seven Stars).

Great overall explanation of the differences between the two players clubs. I only have one small correction. Express Comps cannot be converted to free play (at least not to my knowledge). HGS Points (Holiday Gift Shopping Points) can be converted to free play. Hope this helps.

[BAGGINS]

Todd,

Good post. Though I knew most of the Caesars info, the MLife info was useful. I am diamond at CET but was thinking of jumping ship this year just to test the waters. What I like about Total Rewards is that I'm able to use in Tahoe, Reno, Atlantic City, and where ever else I travel too. Usually it's not hard to jump the website and book without having to talk to anyone. I do find that the Diamond hotline is really useful for booking rooms (all USA operators who seem to know the system well enough) if you are Diamond (or Seven Stars I suppose). I've found the diamond lounges to be great to decompress and get a little food in me when I can't be bothered to go sit down at some restaurant. No complaints there.

I find the number one benefit to be the comped rooms. I've used my comped rooms for a variety of reasons when in various CET cities and find them plentiful and easy to obtain. My question for MLife peeps would be, how easy is it for MLife Platnium members to get free rooms? Are rooms at the lower tier properties (Luxor, NYNY, Monte Carlo) being given away to Platinum members? Or are they only discounted? What about properties like the Bellagio? If the rooms are only discounted, how much are they discounted and how often can you take advantage of this?

I would love to hear from a Platnium MGM'er video poker or table games player their experiences with obtaining comped MGM property rooms in Las Vegas and beyond. While all the other perks to the programs seem to tilt heavily in favor of Total Rewards, I would probably jump ship if I was confident that fully comped rooms (and resort fees) as a platinum player with MGM would be as easy to obtain as they are as being a Diamond with CET.

[Vegas_lover]

I have been a platinum member at Mlife for years and always receive at least 3 comped nights with about $150 of free play, $100 in resort credit and possibly a couple of show tix. I've had comped nights at NYNY and Mirage. Another interesting bonus of being an Mlife member is you can play the Facebook game MyVegas. It's a completely free game where you collect loyalty point. You can cash in those loyalty points and get free nights at all the MGM resorts. Combined that amounts to 6 comped nights at any given moment in the year.

[BAGGINS]

I have been a platinum member at Mlife for years and always receive at least 3 comped nights with about $150 of free play, $100 in resort credit and possibly a couple of show tix. I've had comped nights at NYNY and Mirage. Another interesting bonus of being an Mlife member is you can play the Facebook game MyVegas. It's a completely free game where you collect loyalty point. You can cash in those loyalty points and get free nights at all the MGM resorts. Combined that amounts to 6 comped nights at any given moment in the year.

Vegas_lover - how often do you get the 3 free nights and free play? Is that an offer that comes in the mail once a quarter or is monthly, etc? Can you simply log into your account online and book a comped room at one of the properties even if there is no formal 'offer' that they sent you?

[Vegas_lover]

Vegas_lover - how often do you get the 3 free nights and free play? Is that an offer that comes in the mail once a quarter or is monthly, etc? Can you simply log into your account online and book a comped room at one of the properties even if there is no formal 'offer' that they sent you?

I get those offers at least 4 times a year Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall offer
I just log into my Mlife account regularly to see what's new. I also get regular e-mails with invitations for BJ Tournaments, Slot tournament, NYE offers, Fight Night offers, etc. Not shabby at all.

Through the MyVegas FB game I have enough loyalty point to get about 15 comped nights (the maximum number of comped nights I can use through MyVegas is 3 per stay).

[BAGGINS]

I get those offers at least 4 times a year Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall offer
I just log into my Mlife account regularly to see what's new. I also get regular e-mails with invitations for BJ Tournaments, Slot tournament, NYE offers, Fight Night offers, etc. Not shabby at all.

Through the MyVegas FB game I have enough loyalty point to get about 15 comped nights (the maximum number of comped nights I can use through MyVegas is 3 per stay).

Wow, are you serious? I tried that game out roughly calculated that 40 hours of play on that game would only get free coffee. What's your secret with that? Seems like a lot of time you'd need to put in to get even one free night, yet you have 15? That's nuts.

[Vegas_lover]

Wow, are you serious? I tried that game out roughly calculated that 40 hours of play on that game would only get free coffee. What's your secret with that? Seems like a lot of time you'd need to put in to get even one free night, yet you have 15? That's nuts.

Well it's not really a lot of work playing that game. We collect coins a number of times a day and we have about 50 friends that play the game as well, which gives you extra coins every day. I put it at auto spin and only pay attention when a bonus game comes up. I've accumulated close to 2.000.000 loyalty points which gives me great free nights at places like Bellagio, Aria, Mirage and Mandalay Bay. What's there not to like?

[ke6cdh]

Would you please comment on Myvegas.
I Have been a CET only kind of guy because of a local California casino However, they stopped giving the quantity of free rooms and have tightened up on the rewards given by "Total rewards" Since I have had some extra time on my hands I have played Myvegas online and on cell phone and have obtained enough "loyality" points to earn free weekend nights at MGM properties and I do not even have a Mlife card.

[Vegas Vic]

I've only used MyVegas points to grab free tickets to LOVE at the Mirage for the last 2 years. Well worth it.

[Vegas_lover]

Would you please comment on Myvegas.
I Have been a CET only kind of guy because of a local California casino However, they stopped giving the quantity of free rooms and have tightened up on the rewards given by "Total rewards" Since I have had some extra time on my hands I have played Myvegas online and on cell phone and have obtained enough "loyality" points to earn free weekend nights at MGM properties and I do not even have a Mlife card.

Well, I log into the MyVegas game on Facebook a couple of times a day to collect chips. I build my chip stack until they have bonus weeks/promotions running where you can earn loyalty points faster than normally. Then I play the game and have it on auto spin. So I don't even have to pay much attention. I can rendeem 5 comped nights per month (maximum of 5 rewards in a 30 day rolling period). So if you're planning a trip to Vegas in February you can start "buying" comped nights in December (maximum of 90 days before your stay). In December I can redeem a maximum of 5 comped nights that I can use until the end of February. Then I've reached the maximum of rewards I can redeem that month. But since the next trip is in February I still have January where I can redeem 5 rewards and Februari where I can redeem an additional 5 rewards to use during that February trip. In my case (with having about 2.000.000 loyalty point) that amounts to 5 comped nights, about 3 shows and about 5 meals I can comp myself with in one 8 day trip. In total this amounts to about $1200 in free stuff. That's not a bad deal at all in my book. The nicest part of it all is you can combine MyVegas rewards with comps received through your Mlife account. So if I decide to book a flight to Vegas today and combine my Mlife offers with all the MyVegas rewards I won't pay for a single night during an 8 night stay, have 3 free shows and about 5 free meals. I normally get some freeplay and resort credit too.....

[RoeIncarnate]

Been using MyVegas since they started it. At first I was skeptical but it worked well.

Both my wife and I will play the month or two before our vegas trip. Then we redeem the credits for shows and food. Usually get $100-400 worth of stuff from it.

However I noticed in 2014 the rewards became less valuable. Either requiring more credits or had more restrictions(make sure you read the fine print). Still got good stuff from it in 2014 though. I've found the two for 1 show tickets to be the best value. I am a $5/10 table game player so my definition of value is probably different than some of you.

My strategy is to play BJ but manage your bank roll so you can target big bets. Haven't played since our last trip some months ago though.

[PIGGY BANKER]

MGM has great venues, CEA/HAR for trashy patrons.