The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card Gets Major New Perks
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available – Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card
Today, Chase announced updates to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card, including an improved sign-up bonus in addition to new perks.
Here's a rundown of the card's latest benefits, including the new sign-up bonus:
You can earn three complimentary nights at any participating Tier 1-4 Ritz-Carlton hotel after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit to use for qualifying airline purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees and preferred lounge memberships or passes. You will also enjoy automatic Gold Elite status during your first year, and every year thereafter when you spend $10,000. This card has a $450 annual fee.
If you're already acquainted with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card, many of these perks will be familiar to you. The biggest changes are the sign-up bonus (three nights vs. two nights with the previous card), Priority Pass Select membership and a statement credit for the Global Entry application fee. Additionally, as a Visa Infinite cardholder, you'll receive a $100 discount when you purchase domestic round-trip coach tickets for two or more passengers traveling together when you book your flights here. This benefit can be used an unlimited number of times.
The card will continue to offer 5x points on spending at Ritz-Carlton and Marriott properties, 2x points on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline and at car rental agencies and restaurants and 1x on everything else. Finally, the annual fee is increasing from $395 to $450, putting it in line with many other premium travel rewards cards.
Is It Worth It?
Considering that the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card is largely adding benefits rather than taking them away, it remains a very appealing premium travel rewards card. The sign-up bonus of three free nights at a Tier 1-4 Ritz-Carlton hotel can be worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on its own. A three-night stay at the Tier 4 Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park in mid-December currently costs $1,309, so you're clearly saving big if you choose to redeem your sign-up bonus here.
The new sign-up bonus does require meeting a slightly higher spending requirement: $5,000 in the first three months vs. $4,000 in the first three months with the earlier version of the card. However, it could definitely be worth it if you can maximize the free nights at an expensive hotel.
Priority Pass Select lounge membership is a new benefit, and if you don't have lounge access through another card this can come in handy. There are more than 900 locations around the world — and some of them are quite luxurious — so you'll likely be able to use this perk on most of your travels.
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card now also offers a Global Entry application fee reimbursement in addition to a $300 annual travel credit. Previously, you could use the $300 travel credit toward this application fee, but now you can get that $100 back in addition to spending $300 on other fees such as baggage costs and airline incidentals.
Bottom Line
Thanks to a generous sign-up bonus and some new perks, the updated Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card is a stronger option than ever. The three complimentary nights at a Tier 1-4 property can get you well over $1,000 in value, and we appreciate that the Global Entry application fee reimbursement is now separate from the $300 annual travel credit. Priority Pass Select lounge membership is another solid value-added benefit, though Chase did raise the annual fee to $450 in addition to adding some now perks. Ultimately, if you frequently stay at Ritz-Carlton or Marriott properties and can maximize this card's features, it could definitely be worth considering.
What do you think about the new Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card?
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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.