The Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card overview
If you happen to’re after an elevated lodge expertise, particularly at Ritz-Carlton resorts, the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit score Card is right here to supply Marriott Gold Elite standing, an annual free night time reward, club-level room improve certificates and extra. The one option to get this card is to product change from an present Marriott card, but it surely’s fairly a course of. If you happen to’re devoted to finishing up the steps wanted, the cardboard is usually a worthwhile funding. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
The knowledge for the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Marriott is the world’s largest lodge model, and it has an in depth household of bank cards throughout two issuers, Chase and American Specific.
Nonetheless, arguably its finest card and among the best journey rewards playing cards general, the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card, isn’t accessible to new candidates. Regardless of that, there’s nonetheless a approach you may get your fingers on it.
This card has a comparatively excessive annual price of $450, however many advantages may also help offset that price.
To get this card, you need to maintain an eligible Chase Marriott bank card for no less than 12 months. The really helpful credit score rating for the Marriott-Chase household of playing cards is 670, however getting permitted with a decrease rating isn’t unusual.
Let’s leap into whether or not it is best to add the Ritz-Carlton card to your pockets.
Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card execs and cons
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Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card welcome provide
The cardboard is closed to new candidates, so there isn’t any welcome provide.
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It is essential to notice that you just will not be eligible to open the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Specific® Card when you’ve held the Ritz-Carlton card up to now 30 days. Earlier than requesting a change to the Ritz-Carlton card, you would possibly wish to contemplate opening the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible.
As a part of their bank card technique, a number of TPG staffers carry each playing cards of their wallets.
Eligible playing cards that may be transformed into the Ritz-Carlton card after 12 months of being a cardholder embrace the Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card (see charges and costs), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card (see charges and costs) and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit score Card. You should contact Chase to request a product change.
The knowledge for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
For the reason that Ritz-Carlton card is a Visa Infinite card, the Marriott bank card you’re product altering from should have a minimal credit score line of no less than $10,000.
Better of all, since you are not making use of for a brand new card and as a substitute doing a product change, you don’t have to fret about Chase’s 5/24 rule or getting a tough pull in your credit score report.
Associated: Are you eligible for a brand new Marriott Bonvoy card? This chart tells you sure or no
Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card advantages
The Ritz-Carlton card has a plethora of advantages that may give you substantial worth and simply assist offset the annual price. Its Marriott-focused advantages embrace:
- 15 elite night time credit per yr: You will obtain 15 elite night time credit each calendar yr, making it simpler to achieve the next elite standing tier.
- Annual free night time award: You will obtain an annual free night time award every anniversary yr, price as much as 85,000 factors. In keeping with TPG’s August 2025 valuations, 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors are price $595, which, if totally used, greater than covers the annual price. The free night time award could be topped up with an additional 15,000 Bonvoy factors out of your Marriott account. You may get distinctive worth from these awards when you redeem them at luxurious properties in Southeast Asia, like Malaysia’s The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi.
- Automated Marriott Bonvoy elite standing: You will obtain complimentary Gold Elite standing. Perks embrace 25% bonus earnings, 2 p.m. late checkout (when accessible), room upgrades (primarily based on availability) and a welcome present upon arrival. You’ll be able to fast-track your option to Platinum Elite standing by spending $75,000 on the cardboard on purchases yearly. Nonetheless, you may most definitely be higher off paying to remain an extra 35 nights at Marriott properties moderately than spending $75,000 on this card to achieve Platinum standing.
- Ritz-Carlton club-level improve certificates: You will obtain three certificates every calendar yr for upgrades 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’ll want to examine the Ritz-Carlton web site to see eligible properties.
These are first rate advantages for a cobranded lodge bank card, however nothing spectacular. The Marriott Bonvoy Sensible is perhaps a better option, because it offers Platinum Elite standing and a few elevated advantages, like 25 elite night time credit and the power to earn an Earned Selection Award every calendar yr.
The Ritz-Carlton card additionally offers a number of travel-oriented perks that assist scale back journey prices and make your holidays extra fulfilling. These advantages embrace:
- $300 annual airline credit score: You will obtain an annual $300 airline credit score. The credit score is broadly outlined and can be utilized on purchases like checked baggage charges, inflight Wi-Fi, seat upgrades and lounge entry. This isn’t an automated credit score; you need to name the quantity on the again of your card and ask Chase to use it to eligible purchases. This may be barely inconvenient, however nonetheless, this credit score offsets greater than half of the annual price.
- Lounge entry: You will get a Precedence Go℠ Choose membership, which supplies you limitless entry to greater than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide. Distinctive to the cardboard is the power to convey limitless visitors to lounges. You will even have limitless entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges with limitless visitor privileges. Approved customers additionally obtain a Precedence Go membership.
- International Entry credit score: You will obtain a $120 assertion credit score to your International Entry software price each 4 years.
- Automobile rental standing, upgrades and reductions: Since this can be a Visa Infinite card, you may obtain Avis Most popular Plus and Nationwide Emerald Membership Govt standing. This perk additionally offers reductions and upgrades when reserving rental vehicles with Avis and Nationwide.
As a Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) cardholder, I discover the Ritz-Carlton card’s lounge entry, automobile rental elite standing and an announcement credit score for International Entry to be fairly just like what the Sapphire Reserve already presents.
The primary distinction is that the Sapphire Reserve offers a versatile $300 annual journey credit score that can be utilized towards something that codes as a journey buy. It is a big perk for me, because it permits me to make use of the credit score on a wide range of journey purchases.
Better of all, as a Visa Infinite card, the Ritz-Carlton card comes with the next journey protections:
- Main automobile rental insurance coverage: You are 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: If you happen to or an instantaneous member of the family examine or stick with it baggage that’s broken or misplaced by the airline, you are lined for as much as $3,000 per passenger.
- Journey delay reimbursement: 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 lined for unreimbursed bills, corresponding to meals and lodging, as much as $500 per ticket.
- Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage: In case your journey is canceled or lower brief on account of sickness, extreme climate or different eligible lined conditions, you could be reimbursed for as much as $10,000 per individual and as much as $20,000 per journey to your eligible journey bills.
- Baggage delay insurance coverage: In case your baggage is delayed over six hours, you possibly can obtain as much as $100 a day for as much as 5 days for important purchases like toiletries and clothes.
Extra advantages for you embrace entry to J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge, no international transaction charges and the power so as to add approved customers for no further price. The journey protections are equivalent to these of the Sapphire Reserve, however the upside of the Ritz-Carlton card is the choice so as to add approved customers for no further price.
Plus, the Sapphire Reserve prices over $300 extra annually than the Ritz-Carlton card.
Associated: Greatest Marriott resorts on this planet
Incomes factors on the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card
Ritz-Carlton cardholders will earn factors in a number of bonus classes. These embrace:
- 6 factors per greenback spent on Marriott purchases
- 3 factors per greenback spent on eating at eating places, automobile leases and airfare booked immediately with an airline
- 2 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Plus, because of the cardboard’s automated Marriott Gold Elite standing, you may earn 12.5 factors per greenback spent on Marriott stays, for a complete of 18.5 factors per greenback spent on most Marriott stays (Prolonged keep properties earn factors at a decrease charge). You’ll be able to earn much more when you have the next elite standing.
Primarily based on our valuations, this equates to a return on spending of no less than 13% on most Marriott purchases; 2.1% on eating, automobile leases and airfare; and 1.4% on all different purchases.
Though the Ritz-Carlton card’s incomes potential appears pretty excessive, the low worth of Marriott Bonvoy factors performs a giant issue.
In keeping with our August 2025 valuations, Marriott Bonvoy factors are price 0.7 cents every. That is practically thrice lower than Chase Final Rewards factors, for instance, that are price 2.05 cents apiece (in response to TPG’s August 2025 valuations) and switch to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.
In comparison with the Ritz-Carlton card’s 2.1% return on eating purchases, the Sapphire Reserve offers you a roughly 6.2% return, for instance.
On condition that, it is price contemplating whether or not making eating purchases and reserving automobile leases and airfare on the Ritz-Carlton bank card is one of the simplest ways to construct your factors stability.
If Chase is not your most popular issuer, playing cards just like the American Specific® Gold Card and the Bilt Mastercard® (see charges and costs)* provide higher returns in your spending for sure bonus classes than this card. They, too, earn factors that switch to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.
That mentioned, it could possibly be price it to place Marriott purchases on the Ritz-Carlton card to maximise earnings in that class.
*TPG’s Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
Associated: Your full information to incomes Marriott Bonvoy factors
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 them for lodge stays, airline tickets, automobile leases, cruises, present playing cards and merchandise.
Redeeming your factors for lodge stays usually offers the most effective worth. Marriott has greater than 9,000 properties in over 140 international locations unfold among the many 35-plus manufacturers in its portfolio.
I’ve discovered that Marriott factors provide the most effective worth for redemptions in locations just like the Center East or Asia. Not too long ago, TPG bank cards author Chris Nelson redeemed 37,000 Bonvoy factors per night time for a keep on the St. Regis Belgrade.
You may also use Marriott’s Keep for five, Pay for 4 perk, which lets you get your fifth night time free when redeeming factors for 5 consecutive nights on a single reservation on the identical lodge.
This profit offers you the most affordable award night time at no cost for each 5 consecutive nights. That is mechanically utilized when reserving, so it requires no further effort and is an effective excuse to increase any lodge keep by one further day.
Associated: 8 locations to maximise an 85,000-point Marriott award night time certificates
Transferring factors on the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card
Marriott Bonvoy factors earned through the Ritz-Carlton card could be transferred to Marriott’s 35-plus airline companions, corresponding to United Airways MileagePlus, American Airways AAdvantage and Southwest Airways Fast Rewards.
Whereas that is usually not one of the simplest 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 provide 5,000 bonus factors for each 60,000 Bonvoy factors you switch. Due to Marriott’s most popular partnership with United Airways, you may obtain a bonus 10,000 miles for each 60,000 Bonvoy factors you switch if you’re a United MileagePlus member.
I’ve amassed practically 800,000 Bonvoy factors, and I am considering transferring them to an airline. The resorts and journey dates I have been eyeing have me second-guessing whether or not utilizing my Bonvoy factors for resorts is a worthwhile redemption.
It is essential to notice that transfers can take three to 4 days, so when you’re trying to guide an award flight with a companion airline, be certain there’s loads of availability.
Associated: Marriott Bonvoy: Easy methods to earn and redeem factors, elite standing and extra
Which playing cards compete with the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card?
If you happen to’re not a Marriott loyalist, there are another playing cards you would possibly wish to contemplate as a substitute of the Ritz-Carlton card.
- If you happen to choose Hilton: The Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card is Hilton’s prime card. It has a $550 annual price and presents many related advantages to the Ritz-Carlton card, together with varied assertion credit, an annual free night time reward and automated elite standing. This card additionally has higher returns on bonus class spending. To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Hilton Amex Aspire.
- If you wish to earn transferable factors: The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $795 annual price and presents related premium 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 spectacular roster of switch companions, together with Marriott. To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Sapphire Reserve.
- In order for you a lower-annual-fee Marriott card: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless has a $95 annual price and comes with a free night time award and Silver Elite standing, making this card straightforward to maintain yr after yr. Nonetheless, it lacks lots of the premium advantages discovered on the Ritz-Carlton card. To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Bonvoy Boundless.
The knowledge 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
For added choices, try our full checklist of the most effective lodge bank cards and the most effective Marriott bank cards.
Associated: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve well worth the annual price?
Is the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card price it?
If you happen to’re like me and keep at Ritz-Carltons or different Marriott properties, then this card is unquestionably price having in your pockets. The annual free night time award, on-property advantages, elite standing advantages and varied credit give it stable worth. However when you do not stay at Marriott properties commonly or choose incomes transferable factors for extra versatile redemptions, then I say this card isn’t the fitting match for you.
Backside line
The Ritz-Carlton card could be a superb addition to your pockets. With nice perks like a free night time award, $300 journey credit score and Ritz-Carlton club-level improve certificates, its $450 annual price is usually a worthwhile funding.
My most important journey card, the Sapphire Reserve, offers many overlapping advantages. When you’ve got a premium card just like the Sapphire Reserve, be certain to check advantages to see how a lot worth the Ritz-Carlton card actually brings to your pockets.
In order for you Marriott elite standing and at present do not have a card that gives lounge entry or journey assertion credit, the Ritz-Carlton card is an effective choice. Nonetheless, you possibly can solely make a product change to this card when you’ve held an eligible Marriott Bonvoy card for no less than 12 months.
Associated: How to decide on a lodge bank card
For charges and costs of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
For rewards and advantages of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
