Ritz-Carlton Rewards bank card evaluation: Full particulars

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

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

Nonetheless, arguably their finest card and probably the greatest journey rewards playing cards general, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card, will not be accessible to new candidates — however there’s nonetheless a approach you will get your palms on it.

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

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

It is essential 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 Rewards 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 advisable credit score rating for the Marriott-Chase household of playing cards is 670, however getting permitted with a decrease rating will not be unusual.

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

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The data for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards 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 Rewards card welcome supply

Since you’re product altering to this card, there’s, sadly, no welcome supply.

We should notice that you just will not be eligible to open the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Categorical® Card in the event you’ve held the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card up to now 30 days. So earlier than you request a product change to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card, you may wish to take into account opening the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible. A number of TPG staffers carry each playing cards of their wallets.

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

• Annual Free Night time Award: Cardholders will get an annual free evening award every anniversary value as much as 85,000 factors. Based on TPG’s September 2024 valuations, 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors are value $723, which covers the annual charge. 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 in the event 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 Categorical, which requires you to designate an airline. This credit score will not be computerized, and you will need to 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 standing by simply holding this card. Gold Elite standing comes with perks like 25% bonus earnings, 2 p.m. late checkout when accessible, room upgrades primarily based on availability and welcome presents upon arrival at Marriott properties. Moreover, you’ll be able to spend your technique to Platinum Elite standing by spending $75,000 on purchases yearly.
• 15 elite evening credit per 12 months: Cardholders will obtain 15 elite evening credit each calendar 12 months, making it simpler to achieve the next Marriott Bonvoy standing stage.
• Three improve certificates to the Ritz-Carlton Membership stage yearly: Cardholders obtain three certificates annually, which they’ll 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 stage. You should definitely examine the Ritz-Carlton web site to see which properties have a membership stage.
• Lounge entry: In the case of premium journey rewards playing cards, lounge entry is commonplace, and that’s no exception with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card. It comes with a Precedence Go Choose membership, which supplies you limitless entry to greater than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. The true kicker is that you would be able to convey limitless visitors with you. Additionally, you will have limitless entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges for you and limitless visitors. In case you add a licensed consumer, they will even get a Precedence Go membership. Precedence Go eating places will not be included. (Enrollment is required).

• TSA PreCheck/International Entry credit score: Cardholders obtain as much as $100 in credit score for TSA PreCheck or International Entry charges each 4 years.
• Automotive rental standing, upgrades and reductions: Since it is a Visa Infinite card, cardholders will obtain Avis Most well-liked Plus and Nationwide Emerald Membership Govt standing. Cardholders will even obtain reductions and upgrades when reserving rental vehicles with Avis and Nationwide.
• Major automotive rental insurance coverage: Once you decline the rental firm’s collision insurance coverage and cost the whole rental value on the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card, you’re eligible for main collision insurance coverage that gives reimbursement of as much as $75,000 for theft and harm to rental vehicles within the U.S. and overseas.
• Misplaced baggage reimbursement: In case you or a direct member of the family examine or keep on 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 widespread service 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, akin to meals and lodging, as much as $500 per ticket.
• Journey delay reimbursement: In case your journey is canceled or lower brief resulting from sickness, extreme climate or different eligible coated conditions, you might be reimbursed for as much as $10,000 per particular person and as much as $20,000 per journey on your pay as you go nonrefundable journey bills, together with passenger fares, excursions and accommodations.
• J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge
• No international transaction charges
• Free licensed customers

Associated: 29 finest Marriott accommodations on the earth

Ritz-Carlton cardholders will earn 6 factors per greenback on Marriott purchases, 3 factors per greenback on eating, automotive leases and airfare booked immediately with the airline and a pair of factors per greenback on all different 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 may earn much more if in case you have the next standing tier.

Based mostly on TPG’s September 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: Greatest methods to earn Marriott Bonvoy factors: From lodge stays and bank card spending to journey companions

Redeeming factors on the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card

There are a number of methods to redeem Bonvoy factors on the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card. You may redeem factors for accommodations, airline tickets, automotive leases, cruises, reward playing cards and merchandise.

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

I want redeeming Marriott factors for luxurious properties in Japanese 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 too make the most of Marriott’s Keep for five, 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 identical lodge.

This profit provides you the bottom level complete evening without cost for each 5 consecutive nights. That is routinely utilized when reserving, so it requires no additional effort.

Associated: 8 locations to maximise an 85,000-point Marriott award evening certificates

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

Most companions permit transfers at a 3:1 ratio and supply 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 in the event you’re a United MileagePlus member.

It is essential to notice that transfers can take 3-4 days, so in case you are trying to guide an award flight with a companion airline, ensure that there’s loads of availability.

Associated: Marriott Bonvoy: Full information to the lodge loyalty program

• In case you want Hilton: The Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card is Hilton’s high card providing; it has a $550 annual charge and gives many comparable advantages to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards, together with airline and resort charge credit, an annual free evening award and computerized elite standing. This card additionally has higher returns on bonus class spending. To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Hilton Amex Aspire.
• If you wish to earn a versatile rewards foreign money: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual charge and really comparable advantages to the RItz-Carlton Rewards. It earns Chase Final Rewards factors as a substitute of Marriott Bonvoy factors and has entry to Chase’s spectacular roster of switch companions, together with Marriott, which you’ll be able to switch to at a 1:1 ratio. The cardboard has strong 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 be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Sapphire Reserve.
• If you would like a Marriott card with a decrease annual charge: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card has a $95 annual charge and comes with a free evening award and Silver Elite standing, making this card simple to maintain 12 months after 12 months. Nonetheless, it lacks most of the premium advantages discovered on the Ritz-Carlton Rewards. To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation 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 extra choices, take a look at our full record of the finest lodge bank cards and one of the best Marriott bank cards.

Associated: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve definitely worth the annual charge?

Associated: How to decide on a lodge bank card