There is never a dull moment in the travel industry. Successful agencies are the ones who adapt, innovate, and expand their reach. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by forming strategic partnerships with other businesses in the travel industry and outside of it. Consider this: Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a Vegas wedding for Marriott International and MGM Resorts, whose new loyalty program alliance will add 17 resorts and 40,000 rooms to the Marriott portfolio, and make them easy to book with Marriott points.

Beginning in October, the 182 million members of Marriott Bonvoy—the world’s largest frequent traveler program—will be able to use, and to earn, loyalty points at 17 resort properties in Las Vegas and other cities, while members of MGM Rewards can link their accounts with Marriott Bonvoy and “receive select member benefits.”

MGM just ended its relationship with Hyatt Hotels, effective Sept. 30.

The new MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy will include the Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, Park MGM and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Vdara Hotel & Spa, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, NoMad Las Vegas, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino, and Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, as well as the Borgata in Atlantic City, Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MGM Grand Detroit, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.

Marriott Bonvoy members also will be able to earn points on certain transactions through BetMGM, MGM’s gambling loyalty program, and to “participate in exclusive games, experiences, and offers on the BetMGM platform,” while BetMGM members can redeem points at Marriott properties.

“This is a very robust relationship; it’s not just a typical franchise agreement,” said Marriott International, Inc. president and CEO Tony Capuano in a virtual press conference. “That’s really illustrated by the creation of The MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. This is a relationship that allows us to take full advantage of the breadth of the entertainment, culinary [and] sports offerings that MGM enjoys, and in turn, allows MGM and its loyalty members to take full advantage of our global portfolio.” He noted that the alliance will grow Marriott’s room distribution by 2.4%.

MGM Resorts president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the company is “thrilled to offer Marriott Bonvoy members greater distribution access to our award-winning resorts—as well as exclusive event and entertainment opportunities—in Las Vegas and across the U.S.”