When I posted the April/May specific version of the Las Vegas Status Match Merry Go Round™ originally, I realized that I never made a super simple Atlantic City only guide for 2024.
To be clear, the Master Status Match Merry Go Round™ has had everything below, but that master post is so full of things that keep changing, I wanted to put this specific MGR version in an easier to follow format.
In this article
Atlantic City Status Match Merry Go Round™ – 2024 Edition
Step 1: Caesars Diamond
Like the Las Vegas Status Match Merry Go Round™, it still starts with the Wyndham Business Earner credit card, from which you’ll get Wyndham Diamond status which matches to Caesars Diamond (using this page – right-most red button).
You’ll need to pick up your card. You can do that at any Caesars location (Caesars, Harrah’s or Tropicana) in Atlantic City if you don’t already have it.
Parking is paid on exit so once you have your Caesars Diamond card in hand you are all set even though parking may be listed as $20 or more.
I chose to pick mine up at Caesars Palace for one simple reason: it’s directly next door (and even connected) to Ballys.
Step 1a: Bally’s (OPTIONAL)
I list Bally’s, which currently offers a status match program, for two reasons. One is that a handful of Merry Go Rounders have been turned down at Hard Rock with a Caesars Diamond card due to desk agent confusion over the rules. To be clear, I have verified that plain old Caesars Diamond is valid for the match, but the way they wrote their brochure confuses some agents as it says “Diamond (Elite/Plus)” which means all three but some untrained agents think is only Elite and Plus.
Caesars Diamond also matches to Bally’s Superstar which is very clearly listed as matching to Hard Rock ICON.
If that is the only reason, you could of course skip it unless you have problems at Hard Rock which you’ll only have if unlucky.
However, you also can get two additional goodies matching to Bally’s
- If you bring a physical / printed offer postcard type thing from another casino with an offer for free play, they will load that onto your account. You have to have the physical mailer, not a screenshot / anything online so it’s good to know in advance. I could have at least gotten $40 if I’d known in advance.
- If you are there on a weekend (I believe Fri/Sat/Sun) you’ll get a free pass for two to their VIP lounge for some food and drinks. It’s closed other days. I’m not saying it’s an amazing lounge or a reason to go to Atlantic City, but it’s an extra perk 😉
Step 2: Hard Rock
Drive down to Hard Rock but don’t self park here. Instead use the valet. That is because when you enter self parking at HR, you pay upfront and you don’t have your ICON card for free parking yet. But you pay the valet on the way out and then you’ll have your ICON card which includes free valet.
As I mentioned in Step 1, your Caesars Diamond card is a valid match to Hard Rock ICON even if you’ve had a card before. If you get denied, you may want to politely ask them to check with another agent – or go get the Bally’s Superstar card. Or just go back later.
At Hard Rock, you’ll get:
First time members:
- Two complimentary nights, valid any day of the week
- $50 Bonus Free Play
Ongoing benefits:
Lounge access for a $10pp fee (in comp dollars), free self or valet parking, priority line at buffet. Priority check-in lane (this is actually a huge time saver if staying) and 12pm check out. Possibly a room upgrade by request if they are low occupancy. Free car wash once per month at Rocktane.
NOTE: As of the date on this article, Hard Rock Atlantic City is the ONLY Hard Rock casino that will ‘rematch” you even if you’ve had ICON before. You won’t get any of the benefits you got the first time, but you’ll get that nice bright yellow ICON card.
Your ICON card will expire Feb 28, 2025
Step 3: Ocean Casino
Walk out the back door of Hard Rock onto the boardwalk and turn left. It’s a 5 minute walk so for most people, there is really no reason to drive next door).
If you are a new member at Ocean OR have been inactive for 18 months (this means NO on-property activity whatsoever) you are eligible to match to Ocean Prime.
First time Ocean members get 2 free nights Sun-Fri. Inactive re-matchers do not get that.
But all matchers will get a free lounge pass for the Avila Lounge (which has moved upstairs and can have a long wait to get in), a priority self-parking tag, and a t-shirt.
Beyond that, you will get two free nights at Wynn Las Vegas (or Encore – your choice) and that comes with a $50 resort credit. It’s valid most days there is availability. You do not have to pay the resort fee, however, if you don’t you will also forfeit the resort fee amenities like the Wifi and have to pay a la carte.
You’ll also get the famous MSC Cruise. I go into that free MSC cruise in detail here.
Note that when I matched this time, I got a warning that if I do come into the casino and use my card anywhere, they want to see some play else they may lock the card. I’m not sure what to make of that except that I think they are on to the Status Matchers but don’t really want to change their match rules. I have no doubt if you are going in, using offers, and leaving that they will indeed lock the card.
Your Prime card will expire June 30, 2025.
NOTE: If you match from March to June of 2024, you will have your status automatically extended to June 30, 2025, but your card will say 2024 unless you go pick up a new card after July 1st.
You DO NOT need that new card for the cruise or nights as your status is transmitted by Ocean. You will not be asked for your Ocean Prime card.
Step 4: Borgata / MGM (Only until September 30, 2024)
(Extended from a June 30 expiration)
You can reacquire MGM Gold status if you’d like using the Hard Rock ICON card. Note that it will only be valid for 3 months and is now a challenge for the rest of the year (see: MGM Status Match Challenge).
Keep in mind that there is no longer any reciprocal hotel benefits with Hyatt anymore as that partnership ended. And MGM Gold does not get you much of anything in the new MGM / Marriott Bonvoy partnership. It’s worthwhile if you actually go to MGM casinos for priority check-in, free parking, and waived resort fees plus your Comp Dollars won’t expire while you are Gold.
Also, remember you can share this MGM status with someone at your home address – but you need to go to any MGM casino that is NOT Borgata to do this as it violates New Jersey law.
I think that covers the Atlantic City matches! Hope this made it nice and easy for you. If it did, give it a share 🙂
Remember, MilesTalk is the originator of the entire “Status Match Merry Go Round™” – since 2018!
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Any data points on sharing MGM Gold status with family member when it’s just the 90 day challenge? Would theirs just expire at the same time?
Yes and yes.
after sharing, P2’s gold card has 1/31/2025 while mine shows 7/23/2024
So if I go to Ocean and do the match but don’t use my card at all then do you think I’m at risk of them locking it? I won’t have much time the day I do my matching so plan to get in and out asap.
You should be fine.
Matched all your casino yesterday and no issues with the matches. Question, for the msc cruise, do I have to wait until after July 1 to get a sail date in January 2025?
Yes. Call sometime after around July 17.
Based on the Ocean Tier match brochure, it appears that they will still offer free msc cruise though 2025..fingers crossed!
Good to know I should make it just in time for MGM matching. A shame I used my Ocean card last July so I am within 18 months. Unity and MGM are the ones I would grab, Maybe Ballys.
Is anyone aware if the Hard Rock “Two complimentary nights” are only for AC or can they be used for a comped stay at Hard Rock in Hollywood FL?
AC only
Can I use these two night immediately?
You have to call and ask for availability with your special offer. Cannot be done in person or online. I would not have an expectation of using same day, no.
How soon after matching at Ocean Prime can I book the MSC cruise?
With a few days after the 15th of the month following your match. right now you would have to sail by June 30. After July 15th, you would be set through the following June.
If I match to Oceans in May and set sail in June, will I get another cruise after July 15th?
It’s once per calendar year, max.
If I match at Oceans now, do I have to cruise before June 30th, or do I have the flexibility of the entire year?
Either/or
How soon after matching at Hard Rock (first time matcher) can I book the 2 complimentary nights? Say if I match on Monday, can I book immediately for Monday night or Tuesday? Can I split the 2 complimentary night into non-consecutive days? What’s the deadline to use the complimentary nights? Within the same calendar year? Or 90 days? TIA!
I matched last April and will be heading back to AC mostly to pick up an updated Oceans card and re-match to Hard Rock. If I never used my Oceans free rooms, would they still be available to me even though I’m outside of my original year? I can’t find any information on how to utilize that. And also, will using those comp rooms somehow ruin my 18 month re-match?
Oh, nevermind, I just saw that the free rooms must be used within 60 days. Lost those and the original Hard Rock rooms, oh well.
Thank you so much! Been following your tier match Merry-Go-Rounds for several years now! I was bummed that Ocean requires 18 months inactivity, so I don’t qualify for that one. But recently I was at Golden Nugget AC, and their requirement of inactivity for matching is 24 months! Yikes! Just wanted to share in case anyone was looking for that one.
FYI, I was asked for my Oceans card at Resorts World for the free play and dining credit in April this year. Not checking in, but at the rewards desk.
Me too! I was so glad I had it with me.
I did the Caesars Diamond match to Hard Rock ICON and Ocean Prime the week of 5/20/2024
What’s the fine print on the 2 free nights at Hard Rock? Do they have to be redeemed within a certain time period?
The Ocean 2 free nights have to be redeemed within 60 days of match.
Also, on the Ocean deal for 2 free nights at Resorts World Las Vegas – do those need to be claimed in a certain time period?
Did you ever find out about the 2 free nights at Hard Rock?
Did AC MGR run Sunday 5/28/24. Picked up new Caesar’s card (via Wyndham Business Earner), lunch at Gordon Ramsay’s pub, longer walk on the boardwalk than I realized to Hard Rock, new Unity account and instant match to Icon, shorter walk to Ocean, new Ocean Rewards account (and free T-shirt!) matched to Prime. Two matches done in less than an hour. Not sure when I’ll get to Vegas again.
Can you match HR Icon card, MGM Gold or Ocean Prime to Caesar’s Diamond?
Only if you have never had a Caesars card: https://www.caesars.com/myrewards/promotions/diamond-tier-upgrade
I now have the Wynn platinum, FB gold and Resorts World Monarch for the rest of this year, but my Caesars diamond and MGM gold are expired.
How can I still get the Ocean match for the free cruise??
Before the MGM match ends, match your Wynn Platinum to MGM Gold. Take that to Hard Rock for ICON then Ocean for Prime.
Does Resorts tier match to Caesars Diamond or Hard Rock Icon?
I am confused by your statement …’I got a warning that if I do come into the casino and use my card anywhere, they want to see some play else they may lock the card.’
Did you mean to say they DO want to see some play or they DON’T want to see some play…..
I am trying to book a flight an do these matches, but I don’t want to mess this up.
I have Caesars Diamond and Bally’s SuperStar, I want to go get the Hard Rock, then the Ocean.
It means if you go into Ocean for a free night or swipe your card for a free play offer or put your card in a machine at all – then play for a few hours. Don’t “hit and run.”
Thank you! Is it better to not play at all? Just match and leave? I can do either.
Either is fine. It’s more about if you visit again after. But even day of match, don’t play like $1 on a slot and leave. That would be worse than not playing.
And not playing will not affect the free cruise? I was also confused by the wording. Thx
Is using the Avila Lounge pass and not gambling going to be a problem? We are on a tight schedule. Thanks!
@Diane: No problem. There may be a long line for the lounge, though.
@Jody the Cruise is not impacted.
Does HR icon definitely count for MGM match since the offer was extended? I’m not seeing it listed as a valid program on their site.
https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mgm-rewards/tier-status-match-challenge-programs.html#/new-jersey
Just curious since it may impact where I stay on my AC trip.
It shows up under Florida
I am heading to AC on July 12th. Will I have to do the MSC cruise this year?
Just came to say that I followed the Merry-go-round on 6/22 and no issues. Went to Oceans Avilia lounge and it’s worth the trip.
Just did the merry-go-round 6/28, I wasn’t able to get Ballys or Ocean since I don’t have enough inactive time. Ballys requires 13 months and Ocean 18 months. Matched Hard Rock and MGM without a problem. Where can I find info on the two complimentary rooms at Hard Rock? Since they are a one time benefit can the two rooms be used on weekends? I saw above I need to call do I just ask them about the offer?
Just got my Ocean renewal for July 1..no more free MSC cruise, now its 30% discount.
Well, ignore that comment..i did not realize i was at Signature status..i did status match in May so according to the flyer i should be renewed for Ocean Prime from 7/1/24 to 6/30/25..anyone know if there is a delay in them updating status?
Many people had this happen yesterday temporarily. Hopefully yours restores itself. If not, I guess you’d want to call and hope they don’t tell you to come in.
Called Ocean, they said that when I tier matched in late April there was a major system issue. They restored my Prime status but i cannot call for cruise until after 8/15
Thank you so much forr egg by his updated guide – invaluable. I currently have Caesar diamond via wbe card. I am flying to fly to Ac via in sept on their sun country plane and stay at borgata for 3 nights ($60 offer). Then I plan on doing the merry go round you so nicely laid out. Question I have is the mgm match still going to work? Article says mgm match until end of June. I will stay at borgata for 3 nights and unless I get matched to gold I will end up paying resort fees when I check out ($90). I did a status match 2 years ago but I doubt that affects this. Thank you
Thanks for asking. The MGM match was extended to Sept 30. I’ll update the article 🙂
Question about the Caesar’s Diamond card. Can you only get matched to it once in a lifetime?
When you match in a Caesars casino from another Caesars casino, yes.
When you have the Wyndham Business Earner you can match each year.
Thanks. What if I matched status last year from MGM to Caesars? Would I be eligible for a Diamond card this year?
Only if you have the Wyndham Business Earner credit card.
I was able to get everything matched easily. Ocean was very friendly and the lounge was great. For Bally’s, their website suggests that Superstar status gets you a free Carnival cruise and a stay in another Bally’s property. Do you know how you get those or if it is superstar + a certain amount of play.
You’ll note an asterisk on the cruise. You’ll need to play and have management sign off on it.
I just checked Ocean Prime Tier Match Brochure from Ocean Casino website, the tier benefits provides “Complimentary stay at Wynn Las Vegas”.
But your article in above mentioned:
“Beyond that, you will get two free nights at Resorts World Las Vegas (Hilton or Conrad only) and that comes with a $100 food credit and $100 free play. It’s valid most days there is availability. ”
Could you please clarify which one is correct? Wynn or Resorts World?
Thanks for the catch. It was RW until July and I forgot to update to Wynn! It’s updated now 🙂
Hypothetically, if you are blacklisted from Barclays, so you are unable to open any credit cards with them due to some mistakes made many moons ago, is there any other way to get started on the MGR?
Probably ending this year but Founders Card still works (although very expensive and maybe not worth it). Also if you happen to be Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Emerald or higher that would match to MGM Gold.
Completed the matches this past weekend in Atlantic City. Approved for Wyndham business earner card in early August and saw Diamond status about a day after, received Caesar’s Diamond match a couple weeks after submitting the match online. Dropped off car with valet and matched Diamond to Hard Rock Icon at the Unity Rewards desk 8/30/24: received $50 slot credit and 2 free nights (haven’t checked that this posted yet). Walked to Ocean where I matched this to Ocean Prime: received voucher for Avila lounge good for 72 hours and pamphlet that listed other features. Rep did not mention needing to show play to prevent locking of card. Used the lounge pass the next day and put $5 in a slot machine at Ocean to show some play just in case.
Hey Dave, I spoke to a supervisor at the players club desk (black suit) at Hard Rock Tampa and was told “the website is wrong” and that Caesers Diamond only matches to Hard Rock Legend level. Any other data points that say otherwise? I plan on flying to AC and start with Caesers Diamond > Ballys Superstar > Hard Rock Icon instead.
He’s 100% right. We’ve been saying for about a year now that the only place you can match Caesars Diamond to HR Icon is in AC. All other Hard Rocks will only match to Legend. So it makes sense that they would tell you that in Tampa since it’s true 😉