What the M life Credit Card Is
The M life Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Bank of America for people who stay at MGM Resorts properties or gamble at their casinos. It earns points on purchases that you can redeem for free nights, room upgrades, dining credits, or cash back. The card is tied to the M life Rewards program, which means your card spending and your hotel stays both feed the same points balance.
This is not a card for general spending. It makes sense if you visit MGM properties regularly — places like the Bellagio, Aria, Mandalay Bay, or New York-New York in Las Vegas, or properties in other cities. If you stay at different hotel chains or rarely gamble, a standard rewards card will likely give you more value.
Key Takeaways
- The M life card earns points on every purchase, but the rewards are most valuable if you redeem them at MGM Resorts properties for rooms or experiences.
- You need an M life Rewards account to use the card, and you can link it to an existing account or create one when you open the card.
- The card has an annual fee, which Bank of America waives for the first year; after that, you pay the fee unless you meet a spending threshold or close the account.
- Points earned on the card do not expire as long as your account stays active, but your M life Rewards membership can be downgraded if you have no activity for a period of time.
- The card's earning rate and redemption value depend on your M life tier status, which you build by staying at MGM properties or spending on the card itself.
How Points Earn and What They're Worth
Every dollar you spend on the M life card earns points. The base earning rate is typically 1 point per dollar on most purchases, with bonus points on certain categories like dining or entertainment. The exact earning rate can vary, so check your card agreement or the M life website for current rates.
Points redeem for free nights at MGM properties, room upgrades, dining credits, show tickets, or cash back. The value of a point depends on what you redeem it for. A free night at a budget MGM property might cost 20,000 points, while a night at the Bellagio could cost 50,000 or more. Cash back typically values points at less than a cent each, so redeeming for hotel stays usually gives you more value for your points.
Your M life tier status affects your earning rate. If you reach Gold, Platinum, or Diamond status through stays or card spending, you earn bonus points on purchases and get higher point values when you redeem. This creates an incentive to use the card frequently if you already stay at MGM properties.
Annual Fee and When It Applies
The M life card charges an annual fee, but Bank of America waives it for the first year. After that, you pay the fee each year on your card anniversary unless you close the account or meet a waiver condition. Some versions of the card waive the fee if you spend a certain amount in a year, though this threshold is high enough that most casual users will pay the fee.
Before you open the card, calculate whether the rewards you'll earn justify the annual fee. If you stay at MGM properties at least once or twice a year and redeem points for free nights, the card can pay for itself. If you rarely visit MGM resorts, the fee will likely outweigh the benefit.
How to Link the Card to Your M life Account
You need an M life Rewards account to use the card. If you already have one, you can link your new card to it during the process process or afterward through your online account. If you don't have an account, you can create one when you explore for the card, and the process will walk you through it.
Once the card is linked, all your purchases automatically earn points in your M life account. Your card spending also counts toward your M life tier status, so using the card regularly can help you reach higher tiers and unlock better earning rates and perks.
Make sure your M life account information is current — especially your email and phone number — so you receive point notifications and promotional offers. You can manage your account and check your points balance on the M life website or through their mobile app.
Points Expiration and Account Activity
Points themselves do not expire as long as your M life Rewards account stays active. However, your M life membership can be downgraded or closed if you have no activity for a long period — typically 12 months or more with no stays, card spending, or other account activity. If your membership is downgraded, you may lose accumulated points or have them converted to a lower tier.
To keep your account active, use the card at least once a year or stay at an MGM property. Even a small purchase counts as activity. If you're not planning to use the card for a while, consider closing it to avoid paying the annual fee, though this will also close your M life account connection.
Comparing This Card to Other Options
If you travel frequently but not specifically to MGM properties, a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold may give you more flexibility. Those cards earn points you can transfer to many hotel chains or airlines, not just one company.
If you stay at MGM properties but want a card without an annual fee, you could use a flat-rate cash back card and pay for your stays out of pocket, then use cash back to offset the cost. This works if you don't value the bonus points and tier benefits enough to justify the fee.
If you gamble or stay at MGM properties very frequently, the M life card can be worth the fee because the tier benefits and bonus earning rates add up quickly. Compare your expected annual spending and redemption value against the annual fee to decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use M life points at hotels outside of MGM Resorts?
No. M life points are only redeemable at MGM Resorts properties and for MGM-related experiences like shows or dining at their restaurants. If you want flexibility to use points at different hotel chains, you would need a different rewards card.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your M life Rewards account as long as the account remains active. Closing the card does not automatically delete your points, but if your M life account becomes inactive for 12 months or longer, you may lose them. You can keep the account active by staying at MGM properties or using another way to earn M life points.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee does not earn points. Only your actual purchases and stays earn points toward your balance.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free night?
It depends on how much you spend and your M life tier. At the base earning rate of 1 point per dollar, a 20,000-point free night would take $20,000 in spending. If you have a higher tier status that earns bonus points, you reach that threshold faster. Most people combine card spending with occasional stays to accumulate points more quickly.
Can I transfer M life points to someone else?
M life points are tied to your account and generally cannot be transferred to another person. However, you can use your points to book a room for someone else if you have their information. Check the M life website or call their customer service for the current policy on point transfers.