Ritz-Carlton Credit Card review: Full details

*Card Rating is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

Marriott is the world’s largest resort model and is understood for having an intensive household of bank cards throughout two issuers, Chase and American Express.

Nevertheless, arguably their finest card and the most effective journey rewards playing cards total, the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card, shouldn’t be out there to new candidates — however there may be nonetheless a approach you may get your fingers on it.

The Ritz-Carlton card has a steep annual payment of $450 however has many advantages that may assist offset the associated fee.

To get this card, you could maintain a Chase Marriott card, such because the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card, for at the least 12 months after which name Chase to request a product change.

It is necessary to notice that you will want a minimal credit score line of at the least $10,000 to be eligible for a product change to the Ritz-Carlton card, since it’s a Visa Infinite card. As a result of you aren’t making use of for a brand new card and are doing a product change as a substitute, you’ll not have to fret about Chase’s 5/24 rule.

The really helpful credit score for the Marriott-Chase household of playing cards is 670, however getting authorized with a decrease rating shouldn’t be unusual.

Let’s soar into whether or not you need to add the Ritz-Carlton card to your pockets.

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The data for the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card welcome provide

Since you might be product altering to this card, there may be, sadly, no welcome provide.

We should be aware that you simply will not be eligible to open the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card when you’ve held the Ritz-Carlton card previously 30 days. So earlier than you request a product change to the Ritz-Carlton card, you may wish to take into account opening the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible. A couple of TPG staffers carry both cards in their wallets.

Associated: Are you eligible for a new Marriott Bonvoy card? This chart tells you yes or no

• Annual Free Evening Award: Cardholders will get an annual free evening award every anniversary value as much as 85,000 factors. In line with TPG’s December 2024 valuations, 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors are value $723, which covers the annual payment. This free evening award might be mixed with as much as an additional 15,000 Bonvoy factors out of your account. You may get distinctive worth from these awards when you redeem them at luxurious properties in Southeast Asia, like Thailand’s Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui.
• $300 annual journey credit score: Cardholders obtain an annual $300 airline credit score. The credit score is broad and can be utilized on purchases like checked baggage charges, inflight Wi-Fi, seat upgrades and lounge entry. This credit score is far much less restrictive than the journey credit on different premium playing cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, which requires you to designate an airline. This credit score shouldn’t be computerized, and you could name the quantity on the again of your card and ask Chase to use your credit score to eligible purchases.
• Computerized Marriott Bonvoy Elite standing: You’ll obtain complimentary Gold Elite status by simply holding this card. Gold Elite standing comes with perks like 25% bonus earnings, 2 p.m. late checkout when out there, room upgrades based mostly on availability and welcome items upon arrival at Marriott properties. Moreover, you possibly can spend your strategy to Platinum Elite status by spending $75,000 on purchases yearly.
• 15 elite evening credit per yr: Cardholders will obtain 15 elite evening credit each calendar yr, making it simpler to achieve the next Marriott Bonvoy standing degree.
• Three improve certificates to the Ritz-Carlton Membership degree yearly: Cardholders obtain three certificates annually, which they will use to improve to club-level rooms. Every certificates is legitimate for a club-level improve on an eligible paid keep of as much as seven nights. Not all Ritz-Carlton properties have a membership degree. You should definitely test the Ritz-Carlton website to see which properties have a membership degree.
• Lounge entry: In terms of premium journey rewards playing cards, lounge entry is normal, and that’s no exception with the Ritz-Carlton card. It comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, which provides you limitless entry to greater than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. The actual kicker is you could convey limitless visitors with you. Additionally, you will have limitless entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges for you and limitless visitors. Should you add a certified consumer, they can even get a Precedence Move membership. Precedence Move eating places should not included. (Enrollment is required).

• TSA PreCheck/International Entry credit score: Cardholders obtain as much as $100 in credit score for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry charges each 4 years.
• Automobile rental standing, upgrades and reductions: Since this can be a Visa Infinite card, cardholders will obtain Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive status. Cardholders can even obtain reductions and upgrades when reserving rental vehicles with Avis and Nationwide.
• Major automotive rental insurance coverage: If you decline the rental firm’s collision insurance coverage and cost your complete rental value on the Ritz-Carlton card, you might be eligible for main collision insurance coverage that gives reimbursement of as much as $75,000 for theft and injury to rental vehicles within the U.S. and overseas.
• Misplaced baggage reimbursement: Should you or an instantaneous member of the family test or stick with it baggage that’s broken or misplaced by the airline, you are coated for as much as $3,000 per passenger.
• Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage: In case your frequent provider journey is delayed greater than six hours or requires an in a single day keep, you and your loved ones are coated for unreimbursed bills, reminiscent of meals and lodging, as much as $500 per ticket.
• Journey delay reimbursement: In case your journey is canceled or minimize quick on account of sickness, extreme climate or different eligible coated conditions, you might be reimbursed for as much as $10,000 per individual and as much as $20,000 per journey on your pay as you go nonrefundable journey bills, together with passenger fares, excursions and lodges.
• J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge
• No overseas transaction charges
• Free approved customers

Associated: 29 best Marriott hotels in the world

Ritz-Carlton cardholders will earn 6 factors per greenback on Marriott purchases, 3 factors per greenback on dining, automotive leases and airfare booked straight with the airline and a couple of factors per greenback on all other purchases.

Plus, because of the cardboard’s computerized Marriott Gold Elite standing, you’ll earn 12.5 factors per greenback on Marriott stays, for a complete of 18.5 factors per greenback on Marriott stays. You’ll be able to earn much more when you have the next standing tier.

Based mostly on TPG’s December 2024 valuations, this equates to a return on spend of a whopping 15.73% on Marriott purchases, 2.55% on eating, automotive leases and airfare and 1.7% on all different purchases.

Associated: Best ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points: From hotel stays and credit card spending to travel partners

Redeeming factors on the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card

There are a number of methods to redeem Bonvoy factors on the Ritz-Carlton card. You’ll be able to redeem factors for lodges, airline tickets, automotive leases, cruises, reward playing cards and merchandise.

You typically get the very best worth by redeeming your factors for resort stays. Marriott has greater than 8,700 properties in 141 nations unfold among the many 30-plus manufacturers of their portfolio.

I choose redeeming Marriott factors for luxurious properties in Jap Europe or longer stays in Southeast Asia. For instance, the Ritz-Carlton Budapest routinely runs simply 45,000 factors an evening, and every week on the Fairfield by Marriott Bali Kuta Sundown Highway is simply 65,000 factors.

You can even make the most of Marriott’s Stay for 5, Pay for 4 perk, which lets you get your fifth evening free when redeeming factors for 5 consecutive nights on a single reservation on the similar resort.

This profit offers you the bottom level whole evening free of charge for each 5 consecutive nights. That is mechanically utilized when reserving, so it requires no further effort.

Associated: 8 places to maximize an 85,000-point Marriott award night certificate

Marriott Bonvoy factors earned on the Ritz-Carlton card might be transferred to Marriott’s 39 airline partners, reminiscent of United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles and Southwest Rapid Rewards. Whereas that is typically not one of the simplest ways to redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors, there are occasions when transferring Bonvoy factors to airline companions could make sense.

Most companions permit transfers at a 3:1 ratio and provide 5,000 bonus factors for each 60,000 Bonvoy factors you switch. And due to Marriott’s most well-liked partnership with United Airways, you’ll obtain a bonus of 10,000 factors for each 60,000 Bonvoy factors you switch when you’re a United MileagePlus member.

It is necessary to notice that transfers can take 3-4 days, so in case you are trying to e-book an award flight with a accomplice airline, be sure that there may be loads of availability.

Associated: Marriott Bonvoy: Complete guide to the hotel loyalty program

• Should you choose Hilton: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is Hilton’s high card providing; it has a $550 annual payment and gives many comparable advantages to the Ritz-Carlton card, together with airline and resort payment credit, an annual free evening award and computerized elite standing. This card additionally has higher returns on bonus class spending. To study extra, learn our full review of the Hilton Amex Aspire.
• If you wish to earn a versatile rewards foreign money: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual payment and really comparable advantages to the Ritz-Carlton card. It earns Chase Final Rewards factors as a substitute of Marriott Bonvoy factors and has entry to Chase’s impressive roster of transfer partners, together with Marriott, which you’ll switch to at a 1:1 ratio. The cardboard has stable earnings on eating and journey and comes with advantages like lounge entry, an annual journey credit score, a TSA PreCheck/International Entry credit score and quite a few journey protections and insurances. To study extra, learn our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
• If you need a Marriott card with a decrease annual payment: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has a $95 annual payment and comes with a free evening award and Silver Elite standing, making this card straightforward to maintain yr after yr. Nevertheless, it lacks most of the premium advantages discovered on the Ritz-Carlton card. To study extra, learn our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.

The data for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

For added choices, try our full listing of the best hotel credit cards and the best Marriott credit cards.

Associated: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

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