The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card Review

Marriott is known for having a myriad of co-branded credit cards issued by either Chase or American Express. But Marriott also has a credit card that is no longer open for new applications, but that you can still get via product change. This of course is the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card issued by Chase, which is actually an excellent card. In this Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card review, we explain how you can get this card, describe the card's earning structure, and break down its great benefits.

The information for the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card has been collected independently by Travel on Point(s). The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How to Get the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card

Just because the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is not open for new applications doesn't mean you can't get it. You just need to meet 3 easy criteria:

1. Open any Chase-issued Marriott card, if you don't already have one (Marriott Bonvoy Bold, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful)
2. Keep that card open for at least one year
3. Have a credit line of over $10,000 with Chase

Let's break down each of these conditions in detail.

1. Opening any Chase-issued Marriott card

We generally do not recommend starting out with Marriott cards when you're under 5/24. This remains the case even if your goal is to eventually get the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card. This is because Chase offers so many cards that are much better than the Bonvoy Bold, Bonvoy Boundless, or Bonvoy Bountiful.

Usually, opening a Chase Marriott card to go after the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is a good move to fill your last 5/24 slot. This of course coming after you have already opened all the Ultimate Reward-earning cards, the World of Hyatt personal card, and many of the other great Chase personal cards.

Meanwhile, if you're fortunate to have an old Chase Marriott card in your sock drawer, you're in luck! There is no need for you to open a new Marriott card.

2. Keep that card open for at least one year

You can only product change a Chase credit card after you have had it open for at least 12 months. So if you opened a Chase Marriott card to go after the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, you must wait 12 months from the date you opened that card to be able to product change.

3. Have a credit line of over $10,000 with Chase

Chase imposes a minimum credit limit requirement of $10,000 on the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card. This means that if your existing Chase Marriott card does not already have a credit limit of at least $10,000, you will need to move credit from another existing Chase personal card. You can do this as part of your call to product change to the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card.

If you existing Chase Marriott card does have a credit line of at least $10,000, then you do not need to move credit around.

Once you have satisfied each of these conditions, you're ready to product change to a Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card!

Application Rules

Since getting the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card card requires a product change, you do not need to worry about Chase's 5/24 rule or other Chase application rules. (Of course, you need to be under 5/24 to open a Chase Marriott card in the first place).

But keep in mind that holding a Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card card does affect your ability to open certain of the Amex Marriott co-branded credit cards. Check out our Marriott credit card eligibility chart to dissect Marriott's byzantine eligibility rules.

Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card Review: Earning Rate

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card earns bonus points in the following categories:

• Earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
• Earn 3x in the following categories
  • Dining
  • Car rentals
  • Airline purchases
• Earn 2x on all other eligible purchases

Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card Review: Benefits

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card has a $450 annual fee. However, the card shines when it comes to benefits. Perks include:

• Annual Free Night Award for up to 85,000 points
  • You can combine your Free Night Award with another 15,000 points
• $300 annual travel credit
  • You can use this for qualifying airline purchases such as baggage fees and seat upgrades
  • This credit is calendar year-based
• Priority Pass Select membership for primary cardholder (includes restaurant access until June 30, 2024)
  • Authorized users get a membership too
• 15 elite night credits every calendar year
• Complimentary Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Three upgrades to the Ritz-Carlton Club each year (valid on eligible paid stays)
• Primary car rental insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
  • You can be reimbursed for up to $500 in expenses when travel on a common carrier is delayed by more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay.
    • Reimbursable expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.
• $100 credit every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA Precheck
• Lost luggage reimbursement
  • You can be covered for up to $3,000 when your checked or carry on luggage is damaged or lost by the carrier
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
  • If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• No foreign transaction fee

ToP Analysis

There is no lack of reasons to love the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card. The card comes loaded with multiple industry-leading benefits.

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card offers the highest Free Night Award available in the Bonvoy program. Even though Marriott uses unpredictable dynamic pricing for award nights, you're still bound to find a use for 85,000 Bonvoy points.

Meanwhile, the $300 annual travel credit is pretty easy to use. You do have to call the number on the back of the card or send a secure message to Chase every time you want to use it. This differs from the Chase Sapphire Reserve‘s $300 travel credit, which is automatically applied to eligible purchases. Still, this benefit effectively reduces the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card to $150.

The card's Priority Pass membership is the same as the Chase Sapphire Reserve‘s, which is the best in the business. But unlike the Sapphire Reserve, which charges $75 for each authorized user, the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card offers authorized user cards for free. This means each of your authorized users can have their own Priority Pass membership for free!

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card's trip protection benefits are similar to those of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which are also the best in the industry. For example, the 6-hour threshold for trip delay protection is shorter than the 12 hours required by the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

In contrast to the excellent benefits, the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card's has a lackluster earning structure. Earning 6x at Marriott properties is standard for Marriott credit cards. And 3x on dining, car rentals, and airlines purchases isn't worthy of your spend since Bonvoy points are worth so little. Spending on the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is best limited to taxes and fees on flights for those who do not have a Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card Review: ToP Thoughts

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card's many benefits more than make up for its $450 annual fee. This is by far the best Marriott credit card available, but you do have to jump through some hoops to get it. But with the best Priority Pass membership out there, an annual Free Night Award of 85,000 points, and industry-leading travel protection, the effort can be well worth it.