Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here: The Platinum Card from American Express, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

Chase is launching a Ritz-Carlton branded credit card next week, which is geared towards high-end customers, especially since it has a $350 annual fee.The initial sign-up bonus is 50,000 points (which can be used for 1 free night at a tier 1-3 hotel, or on Marriott stays). Overall the benefits are decent – including club level upgrades, Gold status, no foreign transaction fees, Priority Pass Select, $100 in hotel credit and $200 in airline incidentals. Hmm, sure sounds similar to the American Express Platinum Card!

Update: Check out http://theritzcarltonrewardscard.com/ for full details.
“GET CLOSER TO EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES WITH EVERY PURCHASE

Receive 50,000 Ritz-Carlton Rewards points as a Founding Member after you use your card for the first time* — enough for a complimentary night’s stay at your choice of over 60 Tier 1-3 locations

Earn 5 Ritz-Carlton Rewards points per $1 spent at The Ritz-Carlton*

Earn 2 Ritz-Carlton Rewards points per $1 spent on qualifying airfare, car rentals and dining*

Earn 1 Ritz-Carlton Rewards point per $1 spent on all other card purchases*

RECEIVE SPECIAL HOTEL PRIVILEGES WHEN YOU STAY

An Extra Hotel Experience — With each two-night stay or longer at The Ritz-Carlton, celebrate with a $100 Hotel Credit to be used toward your choice of dining, spa or other hotel recreational activities*

Upgrade to The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level three times annually on stays of up to seven nights, subject to availability at time of reservation*

Automatic Gold Elite status in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards your first year*

ENJOY AN UNPRECEDENTED SUITE OF TRAVEL ADVANTAGES

Complimentary airport lounge access with Priority Pass^TM Select*

$200 annual credit for airline incidentals billed to your card*

No foreign transaction fees†”

For more information on their program, check out my interview last fall with Hotelchatter.com. Now that it has been around for a while, I’ll do an update on my thoughts about the program next week.

The best beginner points and miles card out there.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

NEW INCREASED OFFER: 60,000 points! With great travel benefits, 2x points on travel & dining and a 60,000 point sign up bonus worth up to $1,200 in value, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great card for those looking to get into the points and miles game. Here are the top 5 reasons it should be in your wallet, or read our definitive review for more details.

Apply Now

More Things to Know

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred named "Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption" - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2018
• 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
• No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Intro APR on Purchases

N/A

Regular APR

18.24% - 25.24% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Recommended Credit

Excellent Credit