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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card review: Should you book a spot in your wallet for this card?
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
August 15, 2025 • 15 min read
COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This story was updated on Dec. 15, 2025 with changes to guesting privileges at lounges, effective Jan. 15, 2026.
Quick summary
A premium hotel card offers benefits such as annual free night rewards, automatic elite status, club-level room upgrades and travel credits.
This card is not available to new applicants and can only be obtained through a product change from an eligible hotel card after 12 months.
Perks include lounge access, travel protections and credits for airline and Global Entry expenses, appealing to frequent Marriott guests.
Point earning is strongest at Marriott properties, but the value of points is lower compared to some transferable points programs.
What to consider
A product change requires holding an eligible hotel card for at least 12 months and meeting a minimum credit line.
The card's rewards are most valuable for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels; it does not earn flexible points.
Annual travel credits and club-level upgrades require activation or specific use steps, and not all properties offer club-level rooms.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of this card's benefits versus other premium travel cards and strategies for maximizing its value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
If you're after an elevated hotel experience, especially at Ritz-Carlton hotels, the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is here to offer Marriott Gold Elite status, an annual free night reward, club-level room upgrade certificates and more. The only way to get this card is to product change from an existing Marriott card, but it's quite a process. If you're dedicated to carrying out the steps needed, the card can be a worthwhile investment. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The information for the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Marriott is the world’s largest hotel brand, and it has an extensive family of credit cards across two issuers, Chase and American Express.
However, arguably its best card and one of the best travel rewards cards overall, the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card, is not available to new applicants. Despite that, there's still a way you can get your hands on it.
This card has a relatively high annual fee of $450, but many benefits can help offset that cost.
To get this card, you must hold an eligible Chase Marriott credit card for at least 12 months. The recommended credit score for the Marriott-Chase family of cards is 670, but getting approved with a lower score is not uncommon.
Let’s jump into whether you should add the Ritz-Carlton card to your wallet.
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Annual free night award
Annual travel credit
Automatic elite status
Annual club-level upgrade certificates
Lounge access
Great travel protections and insurance
Not open to new applicants
Requires a product change
Must wait a minimum period before initiating a product change
Steep annual fee
Doesn’t earn flexible points
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card welcome offer
The card is closed to new applicants, so there's no welcome offer.
It's important to note that you won’t be eligible to open the if you’ve held the Ritz-Carlton card in the past 30 days. Before requesting a change to the Ritz-Carlton card, you might want to consider opening the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Since the Ritz-Carlton card is a Visa Infinite card, the Marriott credit card you are product changing from must have a minimum credit line of at least $10,000.
Best of all, since you're not applying for a new card and instead doing a product change, you do not have to worry about Chase's 5/24 rule or getting a hard pull on your credit report.
The Ritz-Carlton card has a plethora of benefits that can provide you with substantial value and easily help offset the annual fee. Its Marriott-focused benefits include:
15 elite night credits per year: You'll receive 15 elite night credits every calendar year, making it easier to reach a higher elite status tier.
Annual free night award:You'll receive an annual free night award each anniversary year, worth up to 85,000 points. According to TPG’s August 2025 valuations, 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are worth $595, which, if fully used, more than covers the annual fee. The free night award can be topped up with an extra 25,000 Bonvoy points from your Marriott account. You can get exceptional value from these awards if you redeem them at luxury properties in Southeast Asia, like Malaysia's The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi.
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status: You'll receive complimentary Gold Elite status. Perks include 25% bonus earnings, 2 p.m. late checkout (when available), room upgrades (based on availability) and a welcome gift upon arrival. You can fast-track your way to Platinum Elite status by spending $75,000 on the card on purchases annually. However, you'll most likely be better off paying to stay an additional 35 nights at Marriott properties rather than spending $75,000 on this card to reach Platinum status.
Ritz-Carlton club-level upgrade certificates: You'll receive three certificates each calendar year for upgrades to club-level rooms. Each certificate is valid for a club-level upgrade on an eligible paid stay of up to seven nights. Not all Ritz-Carlton properties have a club level. Be sure to check the Ritz-Carlton website to see eligible properties.
These are decent benefits for a cobranded hotel credit card, but nothing spectacular. The might be a better choice, as it provides Platinum Elite status and some elevated benefits, like 25 elite night credits and the ability to earn an Earned Choice Award each calendar year.
MARRIOTT
The Ritz-Carlton card also provides several travel-oriented perks that help reduce travel costs and make your vacations more enjoyable. These benefits include:
$300 annual airlinecredit: You'll receive an annual $300 airline credit. The credit is broadly defined and can be used on purchases like checked baggage fees, inflight Wi-Fi, seat upgrades and lounge access. This is not an automatic credit; you must call the number on the back of your card and ask Chase to apply it to eligible purchases. This can be slightly inconvenient, but still, this credit offsets more than half of the annual fee.
Lounge access: You'll get a Priority Pass℠ Select membership, which gives you unlimited access to more than 1,800 airport lounges worldwide. You'll also have unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges. While unlimited guests are currently admitted (subject to lounge capacity), this will be reduced to two guests from Jan. 15, 2026. Authorized users also receive a Priority Pass membership.
Global Entry credit: You'll receive a $120 statement credit for your Global Entry application fee every four years.
Car rental status, upgrades and discounts: Since this is a Visa Infinite card, you'll receive Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive status. This perk also provides discounts and upgrades when booking rental cars with Avis and National.
As a (see rates and fees) cardholder, I find the Ritz-Carlton card's lounge access, car rental elite status and a statement credit for Global Entry to be quite similar to what the Sapphire Reserve already offers.
The main difference is that the Sapphire Reserve provides a flexible $300 annual travel credit that can be used toward anything that codes as a travel purchase. This is a huge perk for me, as it allows me to use the credit on a variety of travel purchases.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Best of all, as a Visa Infinite card, the Ritz-Carlton card comes with the following travel protections:
Primary car rental insurance: You're eligible for primary collision insurance that provides reimbursement of up to $75,000 for theft and damage to rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
Lost luggage reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member check or carry on baggage that is damaged or lost by the airline, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.
Trip delay reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short due to illness, severe weather or other eligible covered situations, you can be reimbursed for up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip for your eligible travel expenses.
Baggage delay insurance: If your baggage is delayed over six hours, you can receive up to $100 a day for up to five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing.
Additional benefits for you include access to J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge, no foreign transaction fees and the ability to add authorized users for no additional cost. The travel protections are identical to those of the Sapphire Reserve, but the upside of the Ritz-Carlton card is the option to add authorized users for no additional cost.
Plus, the Sapphire Reserve costs over $300 more each year than the Ritz-Carlton card.
Plus, thanks to the card’s automatic Marriott Gold Elite status, you'll earn 12.5 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays, for a total of 18.5 points per dollar spent on most Marriott stays (Extended stay properties earn points at a lower rate). You can earn even more if you have a higher elite status.
Based on our valuations, this equates to a return on spending of at least 13% on most Marriott purchases; 2.1% on dining, car rentals and airfare; and 1.4% on all other purchases.
W NASHVILLE/MARRIOTT
Although the Ritz-Carlton card's earning potential seems fairly high, the low value of Marriott Bonvoy points plays a big factor.
According to our August 2025 valuations, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents each. That's nearly three times less than Chase Ultimate Rewards points, for example, which are worth 2.05 cents apiece (according to TPG's August 2025 valuations) and transfer to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.
Compared to the Ritz-Carlton card's 2.1% return on dining purchases, the gives you a roughly 6.2% return, for example.
Given that, it's worth considering whether making dining purchases and booking car rentals and airfare on the Ritz-Carlton credit card is the best way to build your points balance.
If Chase isn't your preferred issuer, cards like the and the * offer better returns on your spending for certain bonus categories than this card. They, too, earn points that transfer to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.
That said, it could be worth it to put Marriott purchases on the Ritz-Carlton card to maximize earnings in that category.
*TPG's Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
There are multiple ways to redeem Bonvoy points on the Ritz-Carlton card. You can redeem them for hotel stays, airline tickets, car rentals, cruises, gift cards and merchandise.
Redeeming your points for hotel stays generally provides the best value. Marriott has more than 9,000 properties in over 140 countries spread among the 35-plus brands in its portfolio.
MARRIOTT
I've found that Marriott points offer the best value for redemptions in places like the Middle East or Asia. Recently, TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson redeemed 37,000 Bonvoy points per night for a stay at the St. Regis Belgrade.
You can also use Marriott’s Stay for 5, Pay for 4 perk, which allows you to get your fifth night free when redeeming points for five consecutive nights on a single reservation at the same hotel.
This benefit gives you the cheapest awardnight for free for every five consecutive nights. This is automatically applied when booking, so it requires no extra effort and is a good excuse to extend any hotel stay by one additional day.
While this is generally not the best way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, there are times when transferring Bonvoy points to airline partners could make sense.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Most partners allow transfers at a 3:1 ratio and offer 5,000 bonus points for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer. Thanks to Marriott’s preferred partnership with United Airlines, you'll receive a bonus 10,000 miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer when you're a United MileagePlus member.
I've amassed nearly 800,000 Bonvoy points, and I'm contemplating transferring them to an airline. The hotels and travel dates I've been eyeing have me second-guessing whether using my Bonvoy points for hotels is a worthwhile redemption.
It’s important to note that transfers can take three to four days, so if you're looking to book an award flight with a partner airline, make sure there's plenty of availability.
Which cards compete with the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card?
If you’re not a Marriott loyalist, there are some other cards you might want to consider instead of the Ritz-Carlton card.
If you prefer Hilton: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is Hilton’s top card. It has a $550 annual fee and offers many similar benefits to the Ritz-Carlton card, including various statement credits, an annual free night reward and automatic elite status. This card also has better returns on bonus category spending. To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Amex Aspire.
If you want to earn transferable points: The comes with a $795 annual fee and offers similar premium benefits to the Ritz-Carlton card. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of Marriott Bonvoy points and has access to Chase’s impressive roster of transfer partners, including Marriott. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
If you want a lower-annual-fee Marriott card: The has a $95 annual fee and comes with a free night award and Silver Elite status, making this card easy to keep year after year. However, it lacks many of the premium benefits found on the Ritz-Carlton card. To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.
The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you're like me and stay at Ritz-Carltons or other Marriott properties, then this card is definitely worth having in your wallet. The annual free night award, on-property benefits, elite status benefits and various credits give it solid value. But if you don't stay at Marriott properties regularly or prefer earning transferable points for more flexible redemptions, then I say this card is not the right fit for you.
Bottom line
The Ritz-Carlton card can be an excellent addition to your wallet. With great perks like a free night award, $300 travel credit and Ritz-Carlton club-level upgrade certificates, its $450 annual fee can be a worthwhile investment.
My main travel card, the , provides many overlapping benefits. If you have a premium card like the Sapphire Reserve, make sure to compare benefits to see how much value the Ritz-Carlton card really brings to your wallet.
If you want Marriott elite status and currently don't have a card that provides lounge access or travel statement credits, the Ritz-Carlton card is a good option. However, you can only make a product change to this card if you've held an eligible Marriott Bonvoy card for at least 12 months.
