Formerly a 'wasteland' of points hotels, Las Vegas is awash with options for those loyal to chains
It wasn't always like this.
In the 1950s and 1960s, as Las Vegas began its transformation into the gambling, entertainment and dining mecca it is today, the city (The Strip had yet to be developed) was dotted with independent properties like Binion's, Sahara, the Sands, the Dunes, Tropicana and more.
Some of these properties still operate today, but many have been relegated to the history books, providing the curious with a look into the Las Vegas of the past, before the arrival of The Strip and its hyper-commercialized (for better or worse) approach to lodging, entertainment, dining and even the sacred pastime of the city: gambling.
Now, the Las Vegas Strip is chock-full of megaresorts, with many of the world's largest hotel brands having a flag (or multiple) in the city. While some may lament the overshadowing of the Las Vegas of yesteryear, there's no doubt the pervasiveness of hotels affiliated with major chains has been a boon to travelers with points to burn -- and it looks like that trend is only going to continue.
Resorts World shows Hilton is serious about Sin City
This week, we learned Resorts World Las Vegas, the first new-build resort complex in Las Vegas in over a decade, will open at the end of June. With it comes three Hilton-branded properties: The Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World, Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World and Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels and Resorts.
Together, the three properties will bring 3,500 hotel rooms to the Las Vegas Strip and, along with them even more ways for Hilton Honors members to earn and redeem points for stays.
Resorts World is sure to become a destination unto itself, with so many options for dining and nightlife. In fact, it just announced that Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan are joining the entertainment line up, along with previously announced headliners Tiesto and Zedd.
Hilton also welcomed the recently opened Virgin Hotels Las Vegas to its Curio Collection -- though the property is off The Strip, it gives fans of the Hilton family yet another desirable option at which they can use -- and earn -- points.
Points Proliferation
In recent years and decades, just about all of the major global hotel chains have made inroads in Las Vegas.
Hyatt has been a major player in Las Vegas for several years thanks to its partnership with M Life, the loyalty program of MGM resort properties. The arrangement allows World of Hyatt members to match status to M Life as well as earn and redeem points at the MGM portfolio of resorts.
In Las Vegas, that means a total of 13 MGM properties (in addition to two Hyatt Place properties in the area) for World of Hyatt members to choose from, including the Mirage, the Bellagio, The Signature at MGM Grand, Vdara, Aria, NoMad Las Vegas, Park MGM Las Vegas, MGM Grand, New York-New York Hotel and Casino, Excalibur, Luxor, Delano Las Vegas, and Mandalay Bay.
IHG has a number of mid-range hotels in the Las Vegas area, but the crown jewels in its Vegas crown are The Venetian and The Palazzo, a pair of iconic, Italianate towers filled with high-end shopping, massive casinos, multiple pools and nightlife options and, of course, a replica of Venice's Grand Canal.
Thanks to the partnership with IHG Rewards Club, members are eligible to receive elite benefits (if applicable), earn points on stays and redeem points for free nights.
Marriott, the world's largest hotel chain, has numerous properties in the Las Vegas area, ranging from Fairfield Inn and Suites to higher-end, laidback resorts from Westin and JW Marriott away from The Strip. But on Las Vegas Boulevard, its claim to fame is the massive Cosmopolitan, part of the Autograph Collection. This is an endlessly popular option for visitors to Las Vegas, thanks to the multitude of dining, drinking and entertainment options found right on site.
And, according to Marriott's website, another JW Marriott will be opening on The Strip, but we'll have to wait until 2023 (at least) before we see that happen.
Even smaller players that get less attention than the four major hotel groups have a big presence in Las Vegas.
Take Wyndham, for example. The chain may not be your first (or second or third) choice in many markets, but it has numerous properties in Vegas, including some of the biggest names on The Strip such as Harrah's Las Vegas, The Linq Hotel + Experience, the Flamingo Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Nobu at Caesars Palace, The Cromwell Las Vegas, Bally's Las Vegas, Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. And there's Radisson, which has the ever-popular Treasure Island in its portfolio.
Bottom line
Hilton has clearly doubled down on its position in Las Vegas with the opening of the gigantic Resorts World complex.
But it's far from the only major player in town. Over the years, just about every major hotel chain has expanded its presence in the city, giving points travelers a truly dizzying amount of hotels to choose from.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.