Marriott has a suite of co-branded credit cards, issued by American Express and Chase. While most of these products are open to new applicants, there’s one “secret” card that you can only product change to, which can prove to be really lucrative.
I’m talking about the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card, issued by Chase. I wanted to take a closer look at the card in this post, and talk about how you can acquire it, and why it could be worth considering.
In this post:
How you can get the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is issued by Chase, and is a legacy card that goes back to when Ritz-Carlton had its own loyalty program, known as Ritz-Carlton Rewards (which was run parallel to Marriott Rewards). The card is no longer to new applicants, meaning that you can’t apply directly for it.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get the card, though. The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is available as a product change from a personal Chase Marriott Bonvoy credit card, meaning that you can typically product change something like the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card or Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card to this card (just keep in mind the complicated eligibility requirements for Marriott credit cards).
You can’t product change any non-Marriott Chase card, and Marriott Amex card, or any business card, to the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.
Let me also emphasize that you can only product change a card if you’ve had it for at least 12 months. So if you applied for a Chase Marriott card now, you’d be able to product change to this card in just over a year, best case scenario.
To inquire about product change options, you’ll want to call the number on the back of your Chase card, and ask a representative what’s available for your account.
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card perks & benefits
Why would you want to consider the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card, compared to any of the other cards in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio? Despite the Ritz-Carlton branding, this is very much a Marriott Bonvoy credit card.
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card has a $450 annual fee, and offers the following perks, among other things:
- A rewards structure where you earn 6x Bonvoy points per dollar spent on Marriott stays, 3x Bonvoy points on dining, airfare, and rental cars, and 2x Bonvoy points on all other purchases
- An anniversary free night award valid at a Marriott Bonvoy property costing up to 85,000 Bonvoy points; this can be topped off with up to 15,000 additional points
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status for as long as you have the card, plus 15 elite nights toward Marriott Bonvoy status annually
- A Priority Pass membership, which also gives you unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges; you can add authorized users at no cost, and they receive a Priority Pass membership as well
- Three Ritz-Carlton club lounge level upgrades every cardmember year, each valid for a stay of up to seven nights
- A $300 travel credit every calendar year, which can be used for airline incidental purchases; the credit isn’t applied automatically, but rather you have to message Chase to apply it retroactively for any eligible purchase
- A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit once every four years
My take on the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card value proposition
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card kind of flies under the radar, but I think there’s merit to acquiring this card. A few thoughts:
- This is the lowest annual fee Marriott card offering a free night award valid at a property costing up to 85,000 Bonvoy points, so that alone could justify the annual fee
- The $300 travel credit nicely helps offset the $450 annual fee; the credit is easier to use than The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) $200 airline fee credit (Enrollment required), but not as easy to use as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) $300 annual travel credit
- Ritz-Carlton Club lounges are phenomenal, and elite members don’t receive complimentary access to them; so while the free upgrade certificates sound great, the catch is that you have to book an eligible cash rate (often higher than the best available public rate), and there are also capacity controls
- Perhaps the biggest selling point of this card is a Priority Pass membership and Chase Sapphire Lounge access not only for the primary cardmember, but also for authorized users, who you can add at no cost, making this one of the best cards for Priority Pass access
The way I see it, probably the single most compelling reason to consider the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is if you’d greatly benefit from being able to add authorized users for a Priority Pass membership, plus Chase Sapphire Lounge access.
For many others, I think the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) could also be a great option. The card has a variety of excellent perks, including a huge welcome offer, up to $300 in restaurant credits annually, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for as long as you have the card, and more.
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card could change over time
While I think the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card represents a great value for many, I want to add a word of warning if you’re creating a long term strategy with the goal of acquiring this card. It’s of course possible that changes are made to this card, like the annual fee being increased, authorized users no longer getting complimentary Priority Pass memberships, etc.
While we’ve seen some negative changes on many other cards, this one hasn’t seen many devaluations, and as a result, I imagine that could change at some point.
Bottom line
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is no longer open to new applicants, but it is available as a product change option from some other Chase Marriott products. The card is quite compelling, with key advantages being the ability to add authorized users at no cost for a Priority Pass membership, plus Ritz-Carlton club lounge upgrade certificates.
The card isn’t for everyone, but for some people, upgrading to this product could prove to be worthwhile.
What’s your take on the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card?
New data point: product changed today and authorized user fee is now $75. Nor sure when Chase got rid of free authorized on RC card. My guess is priority pass lounge is reason.
That hasn't been reported in any of the forums. Have you confirmed it to be true as a charge on your statements?
So, if you product change from a different Marriott Chase card, do you get the free night stay the first year, or do you have to for a year?
It seems that you could get the Bountiful card for $250, get 85,000 points as the SUB, and at 12 months PC to the RC card. The free night certificate is valued up to 85,000 points, so basically equivalent.
But if you have to wait one year to get the FNC, the value diminishes a bit.
I cancelled this card after having it for over 10 years.
The lounge benefit is silly, it often costs more that if you simply book a club lounge room. Not always, but often. It is very hard to get the club upgrade rate on a reservation. You have to call and get bounced to multiple agents to find someone that knows how to apply it. I think they were working on getting it automated. It...
I cancelled this card after having it for over 10 years.
The lounge benefit is silly, it often costs more that if you simply book a club lounge room. Not always, but often. It is very hard to get the club upgrade rate on a reservation. You have to call and get bounced to multiple agents to find someone that knows how to apply it. I think they were working on getting it automated. It usally takes over an hour on hold/transfer trying to use it in the past. Nightmare.
You cannot use free night and club upgrade together. Club upgrade only works on cash full price rooms. No ability to combine with promotions.
Free night is great, but as the rates increased it is another ploy to get you to spend your own points. I kept getting rooms with terrible locations and yucky views. They ignored my status for room upgrades if the room was free. Didnt used to be this way, but as more properties have ability to ignore the Marriott status, this is more worthless. It is literally as though they assign the worst rooms to this type of booking.
Reimbursements for airline incidentals is time consuming. You have to wait until the charge is on the statement, but cannot wait past 2 months. I used to do it each year, but you cannot do that anymore. if you have time, its fine.
The 85k FNC can't be used for a points-plus-cash booking, which relegates it to non-upgraded standard room booking. The club lounge benefit can only be booked with a (revenue) standard room and not a suite. Relative to the price of a club lounge benefit booking, the discount from (say) a AAA-member rate might easily cover the cost of club lounge access. My AUs always have airport lounge access, so no Priority Pass. What's left?
The club upgrade perk is basically useless. Good luck even finding an agent who knows how to apply it.
Is it true you cannot receive the Amex brilliant if you currently have the ritz card? How about the other way around? Would love to swing two 85k certs - two nights are so much more valuable than one
This is a copy and paste from a reply to an earlier post. I hope it helps.
I upgraded to the RC from the Bold in late March of 2024.
My Data Points are:
I had the Bold for 27 months and I used the card every month. (Not a lot. Just small purchases to maintain activity)
I have over 15 years of history with Chase.
I have several Chase credit cards and no...
This is a copy and paste from a reply to an earlier post. I hope it helps.
I upgraded to the RC from the Bold in late March of 2024.
My Data Points are:
I had the Bold for 27 months and I used the card every month. (Not a lot. Just small purchases to maintain activity)
I have over 15 years of history with Chase.
I have several Chase credit cards and no history of closing any card(s).
Before the product changed to the Ritz-Carlton, I applied for the AmEx Brilliant in early January and the AmEx business card in early March of 2024.
Product changing the Bold to the RC completed my Marriott Trifecta. I now have the two 85K certs you would like to have .... and a 35K.
I hope these data points help.
I think if you have to pick two Marriott cards the top level Amex and the business Amex is the best bet because of the benefits and being able to earn the 40 nights, however, this one I think the benefits outweigh the annual fee. The $300 airline credit is basically face value, so the other benefits can equal easily to $150. However, you do not mention the restrictions for the airline credit. The credit...
I think if you have to pick two Marriott cards the top level Amex and the business Amex is the best bet because of the benefits and being able to earn the 40 nights, however, this one I think the benefits outweigh the annual fee. The $300 airline credit is basically face value, so the other benefits can equal easily to $150. However, you do not mention the restrictions for the airline credit. The credit resets every January. You need to request the credits within 4 months of the transactions. I agree with your comments about the lounge access coupons. I would also say that I prefer St. Regis over Ritz Carlton for many reasons. If they downgrade the benefits or raise the annual fee this card could be under reconsideration.
I’ve had this card for 7 years or so and still find value in it for the free night + airline fee reimbursement, but will say the recent PP devaluation that also impacts the Ritz was disappointing and has made me have to reconsider my overall card strategy.
I followed these instructions to a tee: opened a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold card in June 2022, maintained an $10,500 credit limit, waited 13 months, asked for a product change and the Ritz Carlton card was not offered. Asked specifically for it: not available. Called back 2 weeks later to get a different agent: not available. Asked to speak to a supervisor and again asked to list all available product change options and then specifically...
I followed these instructions to a tee: opened a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold card in June 2022, maintained an $10,500 credit limit, waited 13 months, asked for a product change and the Ritz Carlton card was not offered. Asked specifically for it: not available. Called back 2 weeks later to get a different agent: not available. Asked to speak to a supervisor and again asked to list all available product change options and then specifically for the RC: not available!
I think this is outdated and would like to know if anyone has had success with this in the past year or two.
Deeper research on flyertalk would reveal that the card to get is the Boundless with $95 annual fee, then product change to the RC.
Maybe upgrade the Bold to Boundless for one year and try the PC a year later.
I have read anecdotal reports of individuals not being able to upgrade to the RC from the Bold. But, uniform success of upgrading from the Boundless. Try product changing to the Boundless, then (say, a month or so later) product change to the RC. You will not have to wait another year. Improvise, adapt, and overcome. Be persistent. Good luck.
I upgraded from a boundless only a few weeks ago
I have heard you can upgrade to Boundless and then possibly upgrade to the Ritz a day later. Might want to try that. Regardless, without the Boundless no Ritz.
I up graded two weeks ago from the old Marriott Premiere, no questions asked.
@ Andrew -- I upgraded to the RC from the Bold in late March of 2024.
My Data Points are:
I had the Bold for 27 months and I used the card every month. (Not a lot. Just small purchases to maintain activity)
I have over 15 years of history with Chase.
I have several Chase credit cards and no history of closing any card(s).
Before the product changed to the Ritz-Carlton, I...
@ Andrew -- I upgraded to the RC from the Bold in late March of 2024.
My Data Points are:
I had the Bold for 27 months and I used the card every month. (Not a lot. Just small purchases to maintain activity)
I have over 15 years of history with Chase.
I have several Chase credit cards and no history of closing any card(s).
Before the product changed to the Ritz-Carlton, I applied for the AmEx Brilliant in early January of 2024 and the Amex business card in early March.
Product changing the Bold to the RC completed my Marriott Trifecta. I was actually surprised that the Chase representative said that I was approved for it.
I hope these data points help.
Just tried to upgrade from the Boundless to RC card and was denied. I have had the Boundless since Apr 2022 and received a welcome bonus on that card in Jul 2022. The rep said they would send a letter with the denial explanation in 5-7 days.
I had the same experience 2 weeks ago. Multiple attempts to upgrade from Bold, but was only ever offered the Bountiful. After some reading, I decided to just try to upgrade to the bountiful, and in the same phone call asked the rep to try to upgrade to the Ritz again. To their surprise, it worked and my card is in the mail as we speak
I just product changed from the bold card to the Ritz Carlton card last week. No issues. I already had an MX brilliant card and I spent nothing on the chase bold card once I opened it. I waited 366 days, then called, ask the representative to upgrade me to the Ritz, and it was all done in five minutes.
Ah this post comes so handy after Chase discontinue PP restaurant benefit.
What counts as "airline incidental purchases" for the purpose of this card? Could you message Chase and have the fees associated with an award booking erased, for example? I assume gift cards wouldn't work.
And do you have to choose an airline like you have to do with most other cards, or can you simply message Chase about any airline incidental purchase?
@ weiskel -- You don't have to designate an airline, but here's what the terms state:
"Only the following types of non-ticket purchases qualify for this offer: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight Internet/entertainment; in-flight meals."
Based on what I've heard, it's a bit more open-ended than that, and even fees on award tickets seem to often qualify. At least...
@ weiskel -- You don't have to designate an airline, but here's what the terms state:
"Only the following types of non-ticket purchases qualify for this offer: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight Internet/entertainment; in-flight meals."
Based on what I've heard, it's a bit more open-ended than that, and even fees on award tickets seem to often qualify. At least that's what I've heard...
Thank you!
Regarding the club lounge access, yes, you must forego potential discount rates to receive the benefit . . . and, the benefit is NOT available to suite bookings . . . only standard rooms. And, good luck with 85k FNC.
I plan on product changing to this next year to replace my Sapphire Reserve!
From what Ben says you can can't product change a non-Marriott card unless I am misunderstanding. May want to confirm either way beforehand.
Just to be clear . . . you can product change another Chase Marriott card to the RC card. You cannot product change the CSR to the RC card. If you in fact have another Chase Marriott card that you will product change to the RC card so that you can get rid of your CSR, that's fine.
Reading the headline, I thought there was a new credit card from Ritz-Carlton, called "The Secret" :D
I LOVE this card, even though I have yet to use the Club Lounge benefit because I refuse to pay cash for highly overrated old-school Ritz properties.
One interesting benefit is that they recently gave me priority waitlist access over Chase Reserve cardholders to enter the JFK Chase lounge that had a huge wait. (I was in a different/faster waitlist) They also almost immediately gave me shower access inside the Chase lounge ahead of Reserve...
I LOVE this card, even though I have yet to use the Club Lounge benefit because I refuse to pay cash for highly overrated old-school Ritz properties.
One interesting benefit is that they recently gave me priority waitlist access over Chase Reserve cardholders to enter the JFK Chase lounge that had a huge wait. (I was in a different/faster waitlist) They also almost immediately gave me shower access inside the Chase lounge ahead of Reserve cardholders who were waiting. I had no idea that Chase considered the Ritz card to be more premium than the Reserve.
I want to hear more about this. Did you flash the card? Is your priority pass attached to that one and it just pulled up? I just got this card a month or two ago and this is definitely the first I've heard of that benefit
Yeah you don't actually show your credit card to check-in (only the Priority Pass), so it's a good point. They asked me at check-in whether I was using my Sapphire Reserve to access the lounge, and when I said Ritz, that's when their demeaner totally changed and they started treating me like a VIP. I assume that once they swiped my Priority Pass card associated with my Ritz, that they were able to confirm what I said.
I have this card
Since I have lifetime with Marriott
I believe this is definitely a much better card then the Amex Bonvoy Brillant Card