Some of the information in this post is not longer accurate. An up to date version can be found in my Mlife and Total Rewards Tier Comparison 2014 post. I am leaving this post up for archival purposes only.

I have noticed that a few people have found my site by searching for comparisons between Mlife and Total Rewards tiers. Here is my take on them.

On a very basic level, I view Mlife Pearl and Total Rewards Platinum as being similar and Mlife Gold and Total Rewards Diamond as being similar. Mlife Platinum is also similar to the Total Rewards Diamond level, but with a few more benefits than the Mlife Gold. Mlife Noir and Total Rewards Seven Stars are comparable to each other, but I’m not going to discuss those tiers since they require a very high level of action.

The benefits of Mlife Pearl and TR Platinum are very basic (buffet line pass, club check in at some resorts). In addition, Platinum also gets you invitations to Caesars’ Summerfest and Winterfest promotions as well as show and spa discounts. (UPDATE: The Summerfest and Winterfest promotions appear to have been discontinued)
You do get more from TR Platinum status than you do from Mlife Pearl status, but it is a lot easier to get Pearl status. It is difficult for me to imagine a time when I would not have at least Mlife Pearl status.
If you are a video poker player I see the benefits of Platinum status being worth the price difference. If you are looking to achieve your status through dining and entertainment purchases, Mlife Pearl is far and away the best option. Please note that the Mlife purchase amounts are based upon the 25 credits per dollar rate in Las Vegas. If you are at Beau Rivage, Gold Strike Tunica or MGM Grand Detroit, you only earn 8 credits per dollar.

Note that you can also get ‘Platinum in a Day’ which gives you Platinum status for 2000 Tier Credits earned by gambling in a single gaming day. Unlike the traditional Platinum status, if you earn it through Platinum In A Day, the status expires at the end of March of the next year (earning PIAD in June of 2012 would give you Platinum status until the end of March 2013). If you earn Platinum by earning 4000 Tier Credits in the year, you have Platinum status from the moment you earn it, thought all of the next year and then through the end of March the following year (reaching 4000 Tier Credits in June 2012, gives you Platinum status for the rest of 2012, all of 2013 and through the end of March, 2014).
Update: Platinum in a Day is no longer an official option as of January 1, 2013, but Earning 2500 Tier points in a single day and earning the new bonus Tier Points will get you full Platinum status. Also, the new Tier Credit requirement for Platinum status is 5000 Tier Credits in a calendar year.

The benefits of Mlife Gold and Total Rewards Diamond are a bit more equal. They get you buffet and café line passes, priority dining reservations, nightclub access, players club priority check in, room upgrades, shopping discounts, show seating upgrades and casino cage priority. Although not an official benefit of Mlife Gold, I have received priority taxi line and valet service with my Mlife Gold card. The taxi and valet service are official TR Diamond benefits.

Note that you can also get ‘Diamond in a Day’ which gives you Diamond status for 5000 Tier Credits earned by gambling in a single gaming day. If you split that into 2 days with 2500 Tier Credits on each of those days, though, you can get full Diamond status (effective Jan. 2013). Diamond in a Day only gives you Diamond status for that year and through the end of March of the next year. Full Diamond status gives you an additional year.  It is possible to achieve Diamond in a Day and then earn the extra points to achieve full Diamond status from additional play later in the year.

There are a few more things you should take into account when comparing the two systems. Mlife status is good for 1 year from the time your earn it. If you time it right, Total Rewards tier status can be good for a little over 2 years with no additional play.
You also need to factor in what you like and where you play (which casinos as well as geographic location). If Las Vegas were the only place I played, Mlife would be an easy choice for me. I prefer MGM Resorts and Mlife properties. Since I tend to split time between Las Vegas and Atlantic City, I get a lot more value from Caesars Entertainment and Total Rewards status.

For more details about the Mlife program, visit their website mlife.com
For more information on the Total Rewards program, visit totalrewards.com

NOTE: The Mlife program made a few changes which went into effect on October 1, 2012. Please read my post about the October 1st changes.

NOTE: On January 1, 2013 Total Rewards Changed the Tier Credits required for the various tiers. Here is a link to the new info.