Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
MGM Rewards Cruises: How to Book BOTH Gold & Platinum Cruises
Can MGM Rewards members book both Gold and Platinum complimentary cruises in the same earned-status year?
In this episode, host Justin Vacula is joined by returning guest Marc Konchinsky to break down how it can be done, even when cruise reps and agents give conflicting answers.
Marc shares his firsthand experience booking and sailing both a Gold cruise and a Platinum cruise, including a Radiance of the Seas sailing and a Wonder of the Seas sailing, while dealing with missing offer codes, incorrect account coding, long hold times, and an escalation process with MGM.
They discuss strategies such as HUCA (Hang Up, Call Again), emailing MGM contacts, and checking cruise partner sites for updated offers.
The conversation also covers Royal Caribbean ship highlights, pre-cruise hotel stays, status match opportunities, and broader travel and points strategy.
If you’re trying to maximize your MGM Rewards Gold or Platinum status, this episode will help you avoid booking problems and get more value from your casino and cruise benefits.
Topics covered in this episode:
How to book both MGM Gold and Platinum cruises
Missing offer codes and account coding issues
HUCA strategies and escalation tips
Differences between Gold and Platinum cruise benefits
Royal Caribbean cruise experiences and ship highlights
Pre-cruise hotel stays and points strategy
Status matching, travel planning, and card rewards discussion
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:45 MGM Cruises Controversy
01:47 Marc’s Two-Cruise Timeline
02:32 Codes and Finger Pointing
03:55 Email Escalation
06:51 Hold Times and Booking Tactics
07:31 Cruise Offer Details and Confusion
10:25 Perks and Why It’s Worth It
13:01 2026 Strategy and MGM Cards
16:35 Announcements and Affiliates
19:12 Live Update: New Code
20:14 Missing Cruise Benefits
21:02 Cruise Planning and Hilton Stays
22:24 Ship Highlights
23:15 Dining and Internet
25:41 Shows, Waterslides, and Amenities
26:40 Cabins, Bathrooms, and Balconies
28:00 Status Match Cruise Stacking
28:51 CocoCay, Casino
30:34 Upcoming Travel and Cruise Teasers
31:17 GM Credit Card Rewards
35:03 Why Three Hilton Surpass Cards
36:44 Final Tips and Listener Wrap
—
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Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
MGM Rewards Cruises: How to Book BOTH Gold & Platinum Cruises
Can MGM Rewards members book both Gold and Platinum complimentary cruises in the same earned-status year?
In this episode, host Justin Vacula is joined by returning guest Marc Konchinsky to break down how it can be done, even when cruise reps and agents give conflicting answers.
Marc shares his firsthand experience booking and sailing both a Gold cruise and a Platinum cruise, including a Radiance of the Seas sailing and a Wonder of the Seas sailing, while dealing with missing offer codes, incorrect account coding, long hold times, and an escalation process with MGM.
They discuss strategies such as HUCA (Hang Up, Call Again), emailing MGM contacts, and checking cruise partner sites for updated offers.
The conversation also covers Royal Caribbean ship highlights, pre-cruise hotel stays, status match opportunities, and broader travel and points strategy.
If you’re trying to maximize your MGM Rewards Gold or Platinum status, this episode will help you avoid booking problems and get more value from your casino and cruise benefits.
Topics covered in this episode:
How to book both MGM Gold and Platinum cruises
Missing offer codes and account coding issues
HUCA strategies and escalation tips
Differences between Gold and Platinum cruise benefits
Royal Caribbean cruise experiences and ship highlights
Pre-cruise hotel stays and points strategy
Status matching, travel planning, and card rewards discussion
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:45 MGM Cruises Controversy
01:47 Marc’s Two-Cruise Timeline
02:32 Codes and Finger Pointing
03:55 Email Escalation
06:51 Hold Times and Booking Tactics
07:31 Cruise Offer Details and Confusion
10:25 Perks and Why It’s Worth It
13:01 2026 Strategy and MGM Cards
16:35 Announcements and Affiliates
19:12 Live Update: New Code
20:14 Missing Cruise Benefits
21:02 Cruise Planning and Hilton Stays
22:24 Ship Highlights
23:15 Dining and Internet
25:41 Shows, Waterslides, and Amenities
26:40 Cabins, Bathrooms, and Balconies
28:00 Status Match Cruise Stacking
28:51 CocoCay, Casino
30:34 Upcoming Travel and Cruise Teasers
31:17 GM Credit Card Rewards
35:03 Why Three Hilton Surpass Cards
36:44 Final Tips and Listener Wrap
—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:
👉 SoundCloud → soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast
👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490
👉 Spotify → open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg
👉 TuneIn → tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539
👉 iHeartRadio → iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405
👉 Podbean → podbean.com/podcast-detail/vvdph-a3425/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast
👉 Pocket Casts → pocketcasts.com/podcasts/1a722d50-2d0a-0138-96d6-0acc26574db2?_prerender=true
👉 Podchaser → podchaser.com/podcasts/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-1153719
👉 Podcast Addict → podcastaddict.com/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/3497422
👉 Castbox → https://castbox.fm/channel/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-id4351553?country=us
👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧
📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—
💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:
👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links
👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel
CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features.
👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy
👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events.
ftuniversity.com/?aff=24
👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9
—
👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel
🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:
✨ One-on-one calls with me
✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)
✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬
✨ Bonus content 🎁
—
🌐 Stay Connected With Me:
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
👍 Like on Facebook → facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl
📸 Follow on Instagram → instagram.com/justinvacula
—
✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast!
Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
