You earn MGM Rewards Tier Credits through a combination of gambling, non-gaming spending at MGM properties, and using the MGM Rewards Mastercard for everyday purchases. Tier Credits determine your status level within the program, with thresholds of 20,000 for Pearl, 75,000 for Gold, and 200,000 for Platinum, while NOIR is invite-only. Your qualifying year runs from February 1 through January 31, so every credit you earn during that window counts toward your next tier.
How Slot and Video Poker Play Earns Credits
Slot machines, video poker, electronic table games, and video lottery terminals all generate Tier Credits based on your wager amount, the type of game, and the denomination you’re playing. Higher-denomination machines generally earn credits faster than penny or nickel slots because the program tracks total coin-in (the amount wagered through the machine) rather than just your net result. A dollar slot player putting $500 through a machine will earn more credits than a penny slot player betting the same amount of time at lower stakes.
The exact earn rate varies by machine and property, and MGM does not publish a universal chart. The practical move is to ask at any MGM Rewards desk for the current rates on the games you play most. What stays consistent is that you must have your MGM Rewards card inserted into the machine (or linked to your digital account) for every session. Untracked play earns nothing.
Table Game Credits
Live table games use a different calculation. Instead of tracking every dollar wagered, the pit tracks your average bet size and your total time played, then estimates your theoretical loss based on the game’s house edge. That theoretical number drives your Tier Credit earnings. Playing blackjack at $25 a hand for four hours will earn significantly more than playing for 30 minutes at the same bet, even if your actual win or loss ends up identical.
To get rated, hand your MGM Rewards card to the dealer or pit boss when you sit down. If you forget, you can ask the pit to backrate your session, but there’s no guarantee they’ll credit the full time. Game type matters too: games with a higher house edge (like certain side bets or carnival games) can generate credits faster per dollar of average bet than low-edge games like baccarat or basic-strategy blackjack.
Non-Gaming Spending at MGM Properties
Hotel stays, dining, spa visits, and entertainment at MGM properties also generate Tier Credits. The earn rate for non-gaming spending is tied to your eligible charges, though MGM does not publish a fixed public ratio. Charges posted to your hotel folio, including room rate, resort fees, and on-property dining, typically count. To make sure your spending gets tracked, keep everything linked to your MGM Rewards account and charge what you can to your room.
If you’re planning a trip that includes a hotel stay, show tickets, and multiple restaurant visits, the non-gaming credits can add up meaningfully, especially for travelers who don’t gamble heavily but still want to climb tiers.
The MGM Rewards Mastercard
The MGM Rewards Mastercard is one of the most straightforward ways to stack Tier Credits outside a casino. The card earns credits on every purchase you make:
- 3 Tier Credits per $1 spent at eligible MGM properties
- 2 Tier Credits per $1 spent at gas stations and grocery stores
- 1 Tier Credit per $1 spent on all other purchases
Those credits accumulate alongside MGM Mastercard Points, so you’re earning both at the same time. For someone who spends $2,000 a month on groceries and gas plus $1,000 on other everyday expenses, that’s roughly 5,000 Tier Credits per month, or 60,000 over a year, without stepping foot in a casino. Pair that with a couple of MGM trips and reaching Gold status at 75,000 credits becomes realistic.
The 3x rate at MGM properties stacks especially well during a Vegas trip. A $300 hotel folio and $200 in dining would generate 1,500 Tier Credits from the card alone, on top of whatever the property awards through the loyalty program.
How the Tier Levels Work
MGM Rewards has four status tiers, each unlocking progressively better perks like room upgrades, priority check-in, waived resort fees (at higher levels), and complimentary offers:
- Pearl: 20,000 Tier Credits
- Gold: 75,000 Tier Credits
- Platinum: 200,000 Tier Credits
- NOIR: Invite only
The qualifying period runs from February 1 through January 31 of the following year. Once you hit a tier, you hold that status for the rest of the current qualifying year plus the entire next one, giving you up to nearly two years of benefits from a single qualifying push. Your Tier Credit counter resets at the start of each new qualifying year, so you need to re-earn your status annually.
Marriott Bonvoy Status Match
Earning MGM tier status has a valuable side benefit: you can link your MGM Rewards account to Marriott Bonvoy and receive a matched status at Marriott hotels worldwide. The match only works in one direction, from MGM to Marriott, not the reverse. The tiers translate as follows:
- Pearl matches to Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite
- Gold matches to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
- Platinum matches to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
- NOIR matches to Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
To set it up, sign into your MGM Rewards account, go to your “My Rewards” page, and tap “Link a Marriott Bonvoy account.” Enter your Marriott login credentials, and the matched status should appear in your Marriott account within 7 to 14 business days. You can also transfer points between the two programs at a ratio of 10 MGM Rewards Points to 8 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Strategies for Earning Credits Faster
The most efficient approach combines multiple earning channels during the same trip. Use the MGM Rewards Mastercard for all property charges to earn 3x credits on top of whatever the property’s loyalty system awards. Charge meals, spa appointments, and entertainment to your room folio so everything gets tracked under one account. When gambling, always play rated, even if it’s a short session.
Between trips, use the Mastercard as your everyday spending card to build a baseline of credits. If Pearl (20,000 credits) is your goal and you’re starting from zero, ordinary card spending alone could get you most of the way there. If you’re chasing Gold at 75,000, you’ll likely need a combination of regular card use and at least a few casino visits or a significant hotel stay.
Timing matters too. Since the qualifying year starts February 1, front-loading your earning early in the cycle gives you the longest possible window to enjoy your new status before needing to requalify.