The first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico is now open
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Ritz-Carlton is already known as a high-end luxury brand, but did you know that there's an even higher-end Ritz-Carlton brand? Ritz-Carlton Reserve extends to just a handful of properties, picked for their remote locations and utterly decadent luxury. While North America already has a Reserve resort in the form of the Dorado Beach, located in Puerto Rico, Mexico just got its first Reserve property: Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, located in San José Del Cabo. And it is absolutely stunning.
It feature a mere 115 rooms, and even the base room has an ocean view. Unfortunately, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties can't be redeemed for award stays, so in order to stay here you'll have to shell out some pretty big bucks, with rates starting at just under $800/night before taxes and fees:
That's a pretty penny to pay for any hotel, but at least if you book with something like the The Platinum Card® from American Express, which earns 5x Membership Rewards on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, you'll earn tons of reward points in exchange for your money. And since stays at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties don't generate reward points with Marriott, using a credit card that will maximize your returns is crucial.
Although it's not yet on the Fine Hotels & Resorts page operated by American Express, it's likely that it will be at some point, as several other Reserve properties are (including the Dorado Beach). This is good news for travelers: The program offers a suite of elite-like benefits that will help offset the cost of the hotel, including a room upgrade, late check out, $100 food and beverage credit and daily breakfast for two.
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All photos courtesy of Marriott
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| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
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Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.