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More than a dozen Las Vegas casinos cleared to operate at 100% capacity

Mike AvilaContributor
Mike Avila is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer who has worked for NBC, CBS, ABC, to name just a few. He’s a published author of books such as the recent “Wolverine: Creating Marvel’s Legendary Mutant.” He also was executive producer of the SYFY Originals documentary, “Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won’t.”

May 13, 2021 • 3 min read

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Las Vegas just hit the jackpot in its rebound from the pandemic.

Three of the biggest casino operators in Nevada — MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Station Casinos — were all approved to return to full casino capacity with no social distancing restrictions. The news, announced Wednesday, means 24 casinos across the valley can now immediately resume operating at 100% capacity.

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The decision impacts some of the biggest and most popular resorts in Vegas. MGM properties returning to pre-pandemic casino operations include:

Bellagio Resort & Casino
ARIA Resort & Casino
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Park MGM
The Mirage Hotel & Casino
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
Luxor Hotel and Casino
Excalibur Hotel & Casino

As for Caesars, its iconic Caesars Palace, Bally's, the Flamingo and the Paris Las Vegas are among its Strip resorts that can now return to pre-pandemic operations.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board issued the waivers based on the three casino groups' efforts to get their workforce vaccinated.

"This is yet another major milestone in Las Vegas' incredible recovery and a testament to the importance of vaccination in the effort to fully reopen our community," MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement. "We will continue working to vaccinate as many people as possible and remain vigilant with health and safety protocols designed to protect our employees, guests and community."

MGM Resorts set up a free on-site vaccine clinic at its Mandalay Bay Convention Center, as well as pop-up clinics at its Las Vegas properties, to vaccinate thousands of workers, their families, third-party vendors and entertainers. Caesars also offered on-site vaccination events at its properties and provided incentives for employees to get the vaccine. Station Casinos, which focuses on attracting primarily local customers, has at least 80% of its staff at properties such as Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station and Boulder Station with at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine.

“The more properties that come back to full capacity really signal an end to much of the pandemic for us,” said Amanda Belarmino, an assistant professor at UNLV’s college of hospitality.

Other casinos on the Vegas Strip -- like the Wynn, Encore and Cosmopolitan -- have already been allowed to resume gaming floor operations at full capacity after showing state officials that at least 80% of its staff have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

While the casinos can go back to full capacity, there are still health restrictions visitors must follow outside the resorts. Clark County’s 80% occupancy restrictions and 3-feet social distancing policies remain in place outside the casinos, in areas such as the resorts' restaurants, pools and other nongaming venues. The state’s mask mandates also remain in place throughout the properties.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
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Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
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$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Las Vegas just hit the jackpot in its rebound from the pandemic.

Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news!

The decision impacts some of the biggest and most popular resorts in Vegas. MGM properties returning to pre-pandemic casino operations include:

Bellagio Resort & Casino
ARIA Resort & Casino
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Park MGM
The Mirage Hotel & Casino
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
Luxor Hotel and Casino
Excalibur Hotel & Casino

As for Caesars, its iconic Caesars Palace, Bally's, the Flamingo and the Paris Las Vegas are among its Strip resorts that can now return to pre-pandemic operations.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board issued the waivers based on the three casino groups' efforts to get their workforce vaccinated.

“The more properties that come back to full capacity really signal an end to much of the pandemic for us,” said Amanda Belarmino, an assistant professor at UNLV’s college of hospitality.

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Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

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