topic Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation in Credit Cards

Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

aav — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 17:41:05 GMT

We're heading to the Cayman Islands in July. They have a Marriott Resort and a Ritz Carlton... We're staying 4 nights. We're trying to decide how to split our stay to enjoy but not spend so much.. We're not used to spending a lot on hotels or vacation, really, and not sure if we'd ever stay at a Ritz again.

Ritz = 210k pts for 3 nights (I only have 155k pts)

Ritz = 140k pts for 2 nights

Marriott = 140k pts for 3 nights

2 nights free at the Ritz (140k points) and 2 nights at our expense at the Marriott (about $900 with taxes/fees) - kind of pricy

2 nights free at the Ritz and 2 nights at our own expense at the Ritz ($1,600 w/resort fees/taxes) - very pricy for us and not likely

3 nights free at the Marriott (140k points) and 1 night at the Marriott at our expense. (about $450 w/taxes and fees) - original option

2 nghts free at the Ritz and 2 nights somewhere else way less expensive and luxurious.. (not as appealing)

3 nights free at the Marriott and 1 night somewhere for a lot less (a possibilty)

I know it's a personal choice and what we end up deciding based on our budget.. just looking for opinions maybe other options..

The points that I have don't really defray the costs too much. any suggestions? what would you do?

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

red259 — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 17:57:06 GMT

@aav wrote:
We're heading to the Cayman Islands in July. They have a Marriott Resort and a Ritz Carlton... We're staying 4 nights. We're trying to decide how to split our stay to enjoy but not spend so much.. We're not used to spending a lot on hotels or vacation, really, and not sure if we'd ever stay at a Ritz again.

Ritz = 210k pts for 3 nights (I only have 155k pts)
Ritz = 140k pts for 2 nights
Marriott = 140k pts for 3 nights

2 nights free at the Ritz (140k points) and 2 nights at our expense at the Marriott (about $900 with taxes/fees) - kind of pricy
2 nights free at the Ritz and 2 nights at our own expense at the Ritz ($1,600 w/resort fees/taxes) - very pricy for us and not likely
3 nights free at the Marriott (140k points) and 1 night at the Marriott at our expense. (about $450 w/taxes and fees) - original option
2 nghts free at the Ritz and 2 nights somewhere else way less expensive and luxurious.. (not as appealing)
3 nights free at the Marriott and 1 night somewhere for a lot less (a possibilty)

I know it's a personal choice and what we end up deciding based on our budget.. just looking for opinions maybe other options..

The points that I have don't really defray the costs too much. any suggestions? what would you do?

I would research the properties and benefits to see which comes out ahead. Meaning does one property provide breakfast and another doesn't? What about locations compared to where you will visit? Did you check the reviews, is one property much better receieved than another? If its me I would probably select three nights at the marriott and then pay for one night (not worth it to move for one night- and if you don't like it when there on points you can move anyway). The Ritz is not worth the extreme price. Let's be honest its a hotel. We aren't talking about a marriott fairfield inn here we are talking about a marriott resort which should be good quality. Also factor in things like incidentals. I briefly looked online at reviews and saw drinks at the ritz were going for $20 per drink with tip. Not sure what they charge at the marriott, but if your on a limited budget you will not be happy with the prices for things like food and drink at the ritz. Also keep in mind on a points stay they will likely cram you in to a room without a view and seriously how much time will you be spending in the room anyway?

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

Jaylima91 — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 17:57:37 GMT

Do you have any other travel cards with some accumulated points or miles?

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

aav — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:14:16 GMT

From what I've read, the beach is bigger at the Ritz and is far more superior, but the Marriott can't be that far behind. Many of the reviews are older and mention both are in need of renovation so they are probably both better. We've stayed at many Marriott and been very happy with them. We don't usually eat at hotel restaurants are we are out and around. I think Ritz is mostly just the big name and flawless experience. I don't have any other points to combine as someone asked. thanks for the input.

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

aav — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:26:11 GMT

unfortunately I don't

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

IWOL — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:50:57 GMT

Did you look at the points with cash redemption options?

Sometimes those come out better then the straight points plus paid bookings.

i would say the main thing with the Ritz vs Marriot is that the Ritz is almost always guaranteed to provide impeccable service during your stay. For me when I'm going on a vacation that's a huge plus and worth a bit of extra expense.

i just spent a week in Cancun and started my stay at the Westin which was nice but the service left something to be desired so on the 3rd day we moved to the Ritz and it was night and day. At the Ritz they will usually accommodate almost any request you have, constantly making sure you have everything you need. The food is usually mich better as well, especially room service.

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 23:10:58 GMT

Personally, I'd do one of two things.

1. Stay at a cheap hotel for the first two nights of my stay. Explore the area. Move to the Ritz and live extravagently for 2 nights before going home. Whatever sour experiences you have with the first hotel will melt away at the Ritz.

2. Stay at a cheap hotel for the first night. Move to the Marriott for the final 3 nights.

I tend toward the frugal side though...

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

aav — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 02:24:59 GMT

Thx happy camper. I like your thinking. We're pretty frugal, too.

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

Kenny — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 02:30:54 GMT

Don't forget your free visit with the Marriott card.. there is a one night certificate for a category 1-4.. have you already used it?

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

jsucool76 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 03:39:18 GMT

my suggestions are look for a lower category Marriott maybe somewhere around there. maybe a non-resort so you get all your gold benefits. alternatively depending on how many Marriott points you have look into the travel packages.

another alternative, I'd you're willing to shell out cash, book a cash stay at the Ritz and use a club level upgrade certificate.

Edit:Just saw you only have 155k points. =/

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

jsucool76 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 03:45:03 GMT

#DoublePost

AAA rate in mid july (14-18) is only 369, so 4 nights with taxes and fees comes out to 2100, only $500 more expensive than the price you quoted for 2 nights at the ritz. Alternatively, the Z34 rate (which would hopefully correspond with the Z38 rate) is only $400 more expensive than that, so for a mere $900 more than the price you quoted for 2 nights, you could get 4 nights at club level with a $100 resort credit if that turns out to be the case. (this is at the ritz btw)

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

aav — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 14:44:47 GMT

I don't have the Marriott card.. have the ritz. We've stayed at the Marriott a few times since I got the card in Feb.

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

sillykitty1 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 17:09:52 GMT

@jsucool76 wrote:
#DoublePost

AAA rate in mid july (14-18) is only 369, so 4 nights with taxes and fees comes out to 2100, only $500 more expensive than the price you quoted for 2 nights at the ritz. Alternatively, the Z34 rate (which would hopefully correspond with the Z38 rate) is only $400 more expensive than that, so for a mere $900 more than the price you quoted for 2 nights, you could get 4 nights at club level with a $100 resort credit if that turns out to be the case. (this is at the ritz btw)

My understanding is the Ritz Club Level Upgrade certs do not work with any type of discount code.

Re: Help using Ritz Carlton Points - vacation

jsucool76 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 18:06:01 GMT

the Z34 rate is the ritz calron credit card rate for the $100 hotel credit, which you're guaranteed on a stay of 2+ nights. It usually (but not always) corresponds to the Z38 rate which is the rate for club level upgrade. Calling up will let you know what the Z38 rate is. If you book the Z38 rate, you're guaranteed a club level room, which club level access (5 meal offerings a day, and free booze) which can possibly end up saving you money