New 70,000 Point Sign-up Bonus for Ritz-Carlton Visa + 30,000 Point Stay Promotion
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here – The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card
Since launching the Ritz-Carlton card in 2011, Chase has kept the sign-up bonus steady at 50,000 points, with a couple recent reports of targeted 70,000 point offers. However, I just got notice that for a limited time my official link for the card is now for 70,000 points after $2,000 spent within 3 months, which is a nice 40% increase over the public offer of 50,000 points after first purchase. Since spending $2,000 within 3 months is pretty easy to hit, I think the 70,000 point offer is a much better deal. (Note: there's a targeted deal of 70k points and first year annual fee waived for Ritz-Carlton Residence owners, but it may be possible for others to apply and get it, though I can't vouch for sure. Application link).
What do 70,000 Ritz-Carlton points get you? Free nights start at 30,000 points for Tier One properties like Atlanta and Beijing and 40,000 points a Tier Two (Los Angeles and Dubai). Or you could use them all on one night at a Tier 5 property, like New York Central Park or Hong Kong (which is an amazing property).
You can also redeem for free nights at Marriott hotels, which start at 7,500 points and go up to 40,000 for top tier hotels, like the Renaissance Paris Vendome.
These free nights could easily amount to $800 or more, though the card does come with a $395 fee. However, the card also comes with a host of perks including a $200 airline credit, $100 in dining/spa certificates, Gold elite status (free internet and upgrades) as well as three Club Room upgrades a year, no foreign transaction fees and 5 points per dollar spent at Ritz-Carlton, so if you take advantage of these key benefits the annual fee may be well worth it.
Ritz-Carlton is also offering a 30,000 point bonus when you stay four consecutive nights at a Ritz-Carlton between July 15 and October 15, 2012. You must register here by September 15, 2012. I personally think the hotel promotions this year so far have been pretty lackluster, but this one is pretty decent - basically a free night at a low-level property after four nights. I just wish this promotion didn't require consecutive nights, since most of my stays coming up are one or two nights.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.