Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card review: An upscale offering from a prestigious brand

Overview of the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, a premium offering from Marriott, is currently not open for new applications. It features an impressive array of benefits and perks, such as automatic Gold Elite status, a complimentary night each year, an annual $300 travel credit, and a Priority Pass Select membership. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card Rating reflects the perspective of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

Marriott holds the title of the largest hotel brand globally and boasts a diverse range of credit cards issued by Chase and American Express.

Despite being unavailable to new applicants, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card stands out as arguably their finest offering and one of the top travel rewards cards, yet there's still a way to obtain it.

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card comes with a high annual fee of $450, but its numerous benefits can help balance out the expense.

To qualify for this card, you need to have held a Chase Marriott card, like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card for a minimum of 12 months, then contact Chase to request a product change.

Keep in mind that a minimum credit line of $10,000 is required to switch to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card, as it is a Visa Infinite card. Since this is a product change rather than a new application, you won't need to consider Chase's 5/24 rule.

The suggested credit score for the Marriott-Chase credit card lineup is 670, though it's quite possible to get approved with a lower score.

Let’s explore whether adding the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card to your collection is a wise decision.

The details regarding the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Pros and cons of the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

Welcome offer for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

Unfortunately, since you are transitioning to this card, there is no welcome offer available.

It's important to note that if you've held the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card in the last 30 days, you won't be able to open the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Before you initiate a product change to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card, you might want to think about applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant instead. Some TPG team members carry both cards in their wallets.

Benefits of the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards card offers a wide array of benefits that can deliver significant value and help mitigate the annual fee.

• Annual Free Night Award: Cardholders enjoy an annual free night award each anniversary worth up to 85,000 points. According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points equate to $723, covering the annual fee. This award can be combined with an additional 15,000 Bonvoy points from your account. You can achieve remarkable value from these awards by redeeming them at luxury hotels in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand's Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui.
• $300 annual travel credit: Cardholders receive an annual $300 airline credit that can be used for expenses like checked baggage fees, in-flight Wi-Fi, seat upgrades, and lounge access. This credit is much more flexible compared to the travel credits on other premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, which require selecting a specific airline. To access this credit, you must call the number on the back of your card and request Chase to apply it to eligible purchases.
• Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Elite status: Simply by holding this card, you'll receive complimentary Gold Elite status. This status includes perks like 25% bonus earnings, late checkout at 2 p.m. when available, room upgrades based on availability, and welcome gifts at Marriott properties. You can also earn Platinum Elite status by spending $75,000 annually.
• 15 elite night credits annually: Cardholders receive 15 elite night credits each calendar year, facilitating the path to a higher Marriott Bonvoy status level.
• Three upgrade certificates for Ritz-Carlton Club level each year: Cardholders receive three certificates annually, valid for club-level upgrades on eligible paid stays for up to seven nights. Not all Ritz-Carlton properties offer a club level, so be sure to check the Ritz-Carlton website for availability.
• Lounge access: Lounge access is standard for premium travel rewards cards, and the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, granting unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally, with the ability to bring unlimited guests. Additionally, you will have unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges for yourself and unlimited guests. Adding an authorized user also provides them with a Priority Pass membership. (Enrollment required).

• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit: Cardholders receive up to $100 in credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees every four years.
• Car rental status, upgrades, and discounts: As a Visa Infinite cardholder, you will enjoy Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive status. This grants you discounts and upgrades when renting cars with Avis and National.
• Primary car rental insurance: If you decline the rental company's collision coverage and charge the full rental fee to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card, you are eligible for primary collision insurance that covers up to $75,000 for theft and damage to rental cars both domestically and internationally.
• Lost luggage reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member experiences damage or loss of checked or carry-on luggage by the airline, you are covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: If your common carrier travel is delayed by more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family can claim unreimbursed expenses like meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
• Trip delay reimbursement: If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to illness, severe weather, or other eligible circumstances, you can be reimbursed for up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip for nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses, including fares, tours, and hotels.
• J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free authorized users

Earning points on the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

Holders of the Ritz-Carlton card earn 6 points for every dollar spent on Marriott purchases, 3 points per dollar on dining, car rentals, and airfare booked directly with airlines, and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Additionally, with the card's automatic Marriott Gold Elite status, you'll earn 12.5 points for every dollar spent on Marriott stays, resulting in a total of 18.5 points per dollar. Higher status tiers can earn you even more points.

According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, this translates to an impressive return of 15.73% on Marriott purchases, 2.55% on dining, car rentals, and airfare, and 1.7% on all other purchases.

Redeeming points with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

You have several options for redeeming Bonvoy points with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card. Points can be exchanged for hotel stays, airline tickets, car rentals, cruises, gift cards, and merchandise.

You typically gain the best value by using your points for hotel stays. Marriott boasts over 8,700 properties across 141 countries, featuring more than 30 brands in their portfolio.

I prefer using Marriott points for upscale properties in Eastern Europe or for extended stays in Southeast Asia. For instance, the Ritz-Carlton Budapest often costs only 45,000 points per night, while a week at the Fairfield by Marriott Bali Kuta Sunset Road is just 65,000 points.

You can also take advantage of Marriott's Stay for 5, Pay for 4 offer, which gives you the fifth night free when you redeem points for five consecutive nights at the same hotel.

This benefit ensures that you receive the lowest point total for free for every five consecutive nights. It's automatically applied during booking, requiring no additional effort on your part.

Transferring points with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

Marriott Bonvoy points earned through the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card can be transferred to 39 airline partners of Marriott, including United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles, and Southwest Rapid Rewards. Although this is typically not the most advantageous way to redeem points, there are situations where transferring Bonvoy points to airline partners may be beneficial.

Most partners permit transfers at a 3:1 ratio and provide 5,000 bonus points for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred. Additionally, due to Marriott's preferred partnership with United Airlines, United MileagePlus members receive a bonus of 10,000 points for every 60,000 Bonvoy points they transfer.

Keep in mind that transfers can take 3-4 days, so if you're aiming to book an award flight with a partner airline, ensure that there is ample availability.

What cards are alternatives to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card?

If you’re not a fan of Marriott, there are several other cards you might consider instead of the Ritz-Carlton Rewards.

• If you prefer Hilton: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is Hilton's premium offering; it comes with a $550 annual fee and provides many benefits similar to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards, such as airline and resort fee credits, an annual free night award, and automatic elite status. This card also delivers better rewards on bonus category spending. For more information, check out our full review of the Hilton Amex Aspire.
• If you’re looking for flexible rewards: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee and offers benefits comparable to those of the Ritz-Carlton Rewards. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points rather than Marriott Bonvoy points and grants access to Chase's extensive list of transfer partners, including Marriott at a 1:1 ratio. The card excels in dining and travel earnings and includes perks such as lounge access, an annual travel credit, a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, and various travel protections. For further details, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
• If you seek a Marriott card with a lower fee: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has a $95 annual fee and offers a free night award along with Silver Elite status, making it a great long-term choice. However, it lacks many premium benefits found in the Ritz-Carlton Rewards. For additional insights, check our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For more options, explore our comprehensive list of the best hotel credit cards and the best Marriott credit cards.

Is the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card a good investment?

For Marriott enthusiasts, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card is probably a valuable addition due to its annual free night award, on-property advantages, elite status perks, and various credits. However, if you don’t frequently stay at Marriott hotels or prefer more flexibility in earning and redeeming points, another card might suit you better.

Conclusion

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards card can be a fantastic asset for your wallet, offering a free night award alongside numerous other benefits, credits, and elite perks that help offset the $450 annual fee. If you have an eligible Chase Marriott Bonvoy card open for at least 12 months, I suggest you evaluate the value of all the benefits to determine if switching to this card is advantageous for you.

As a loyal Marriott member, I intend to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless next quarter and will wait twelve months before requesting a product change to this card, as I see it being a valuable long-term addition to my wallet.