Mike FriedmanHigh-Value Bonus | MGM Gift Cards
On more than one occasion, we’ve spoken about how much we like free stuff. Cash? Travel? We’re not too picky. So when we come across opportunities, we’re happy to point them out. The newest one is the Citi Premier credit card. How about an MGM Casino Bonus from the Citi Premier credit card?
The Citi Premier card is offering its best-ever bonus, 80,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points to sign up for the card and spend $4,000 in the first three months. There are a number of ways to use the points, including transferring them to one of 16 airline partners (including JetBlue and American domestically), but the best play for Las Vegas travelers may be to use them for MGM gift cards. Since the points are worth a penny each, those 80,000 ThankYou points are worth $800 toward your next Las Vegas trip. Not bad for a credit card with a $95 annual fee (and we’ll show you how to offset that, as well)!
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Our “must read” on credit cards: The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards
What You Need To Know
How the Citi Premier and MGM Deal Works
Taking advantage of the sign-up bonus from the Citi Premier card is actually pretty easy. First, obviously, get the card and spend $4,000 in the first three months. Citi will usually award your points sometime in the next billing period.
From there, it’s easy. Just head to the ThankYou Points redemption page and click on the “Gift Cards” option. Under “Travel and Experiences,” you’ll see the option for MGM Resorts. Just click it and pick it:
You don’t have to redeem all of your gift cards at once. If you think your trip is going to cost you less, then save some points in case you want to transfer them to airline miles or any of about 100 merchants offering gift cards. Maybe use half of them for your hotel and transfer the other half to frequent flyer miles to book your airfare. You can’t use the MGM gift cards for gambling or tips, but they’ll cover just about anything else at the properties.
Other Benefits from the Citi Premier Card, Including Big Spending Bonuses
A couple of other benefits stand out about the Citi Premier card. I own the card personally and am a big fan of the triple points categories for common categories. You’ll earn 3 ThankYou points per dollar spent at the following:
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Gas Stations
- Air Travel and Hotels
All other spend earns 1 point per dollar spent.
What’s nice about these categories is that you’ll probably ring up charges in them when you travel to Las Vegas, so you’ll be earning toward your next trip, even as you take this one.
Don’t know if $800 will cover your entire trip? No problem, since the card gives you a $100 hotel credit toward a stay that costs $500 or more. You can use this benefit annually, so it more than offsets the annual fee. Just remember to book through Citi Travel and use your Premier card for the purchase.
Going abroad? No problem. The Citi Premier card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.
The Bottom Line for your Bottom Line
MGM Casino Bonus Citi Premier
The Citi Premier card is an excellent card to use if you plan on traveling (to Las Vegas or anywhere else) or eat out frequently. Citi starts you off with 80,000 ThankYou points, which will cover an $800 tab at any MGM property, and the annual hotel credit can kick in another $100. Combine that with triple points in a bunch of common categories and this card is a winner-winner, chicken dinner (And remember, you’ll get 3X points if you pay for your chicken with the Citi Premier card.).
The Final, Final Word – Book Aria and Bellagio with LVA Travel
Considering a luxury hotel stay at Aria or Bellagio? Get a quote from the LVA Travel Luxury Booking Portal. Our rates for Aria and Bellagio are the same “best available rates” but also include luxury perks such as a $100 food&beverage credit and $60 daily breakfast credit.
Looking for a different MGM Casino Property throughout the USA? We are happy to provide a price estimate for any of the MGM Resorts Properties. Of course, do no forget to use your MGM Gift Cards when you settle up the bill at check-out.
Updated September 28, 2021
