topic Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards) in Credit Cards

Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

jsucool76 — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:46:59 GMT

Firstly, let's talk about the Marriott Family of hotels and what to expect

Marriott rewards is a rewards program that encompasses 19 brands of hotels, we'll break them up into categories - Full Service Hotels,Luxury Hotels, Select Service Hotels, Extended Stay Hotels, Timeshare/Villa properties, and earning only hotels (which means you can't REDEEM points for a stay there)

Full Service

JW Marriott - JW
Marriott
Rennaissance - Ren
Autograph Collection
Protea Fire & Ice
Delta Hotels

Luxury Hotels

Ritz Carlton - RC
Edition - Edition
Gaylord Hotels
Protea - African Pride

Select Service Hotels

Springhill Suites - SHS
Fairfield Inn and Suites - FFI
Courtyard - CY
AC Hotels - AC
Moxy - Moxy
Protea

Extended Stay Hotels

Residence Inn - RI
Towneplace Suites - TPS

Timeshare/Villa Properties

Marriott Vacation Club - MVC

Earning Only Hotels

Marriott Executive Apartments - MEA
ExecuStay - ES

I know there is more than 19 brands listed there, but 3 of them (Protea, African Pride, and Protea Fire and Ice) are all just different brands within the same family.

What do these classifications mean?

Full service hotels are exactly what they sound like. They offer more in the way of amenities. They may have a club level, one or more restauraunts, nicer toiletries, turndown service, and so on.

Luxury hotels are pretty self explanatory. These are going to be your (most likely) most expensive hotels here. JW Marriott could fall into this category, but it depends on the hotel, and your opinion. These are the hotels that are going to provide the best of the best in terms or service quality, amenity quality, (hopefully) room quality, but you will pay for this.

Select Service Hotels give you a room, they may or may not have a restaurant, this is going to be your standard hotel, with no real frills.

Extended stay hotels include a kitchen, and offer studio rooms, and one or two bedroom suites. These are meant for extended stays, and there's a downside to staying at them (which we'll get into later). Residence inn is a more upscale hotel, TownePlace Suites is more of a mid tier hotel, but they did just revamp their breakfast offerings.

Marriott Vacation Club resorts are timeshare properties, but you are able to book a stay there just like any other hotel. These will usually be 2 or 3 bedroom villas, with a full kitchen, and a LARGE resort property.

Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay are EARNING ONLY partner hotels, you cannot redeem points here, and like the previous category they're usually used for extended stays, but for business travelers as opposed to families.

Marriott Rewards Program

Marriott rewards offers 6 membership levels, with different benefits, and you can choose to either earn marriott points, or airline miles (38 partner airline programs).

Basic Member

Free Wifi at (almost) every marriott hotel
5th night free on all award stays

Silver Elite - 10 Qualifying Nights

20% bonus points
Late Checkout
Weekend Discounts
Elite only Offers

Gold Elite - 50 Qualifying Nights

Guaranteed lounge access/breakfast for members and one guest (excludes CY, resorts, and RC)
Room Upgrades - (Excludes Suites and Club Level at RC)
Free "Enhanced" Wifi
Guaranteed Room Type
Hertz #1 Gold Membership
Free local phone calls and faxes, discounted long distance phone calls
25% bonus on points

Platinum Elite Status - 75 Qualifying Nights

48 hour guaranteed availability for hotel rooms
Complimentary United MileagePlus Silver Status
Platinum Arrival Gift
50% bonus on points

Platinum Premier Elite Status - ???? Nights/Spend

Fancy Title
Complimentary United MileagePlus Gold Status

Platinum 5-Star Status - Not Gonna Happen - VIP/Personal Friend of Marriott Family

Everything you want

If you are gold/platinum and a hotel does not have a lounge, or the lounge is closed you will either be given bonus points, or free breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

PLATINUM ARRIVAL GIFT:

1000 points (or 500 miles) at

500 points (or a food/beverage amenity) at

JW
Autograph Collection
Ren
Marriott
Gaylord
MVC
EDITION (or 250 miles)

400 points AND food and bev amenity) at

AC (US & Canada)
CY (US & Canada)

250 points or food and bev amenity at (international)

AC
CY
Moxy
Protea

200 points or food and bev amenity at

SHS, RI, FFI, TPS

Elite Night Credits:

You will earn 1 elite night credit for all nights(including award stays) stayed at ALL hotels EXCEPT

- Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay - Both will earn you 1 elite night credit for every THREE nights stayed.

If you fall short of qualifying for your next status level, your nights will rollover (one time, with one exception, See: Credit Cards)

IE:

You end 2015 with 45 elite qualifying nights. You only need 10 to qualify for silver, 35 nights will rollover and you will start 2016 with 35 nights. If you only stay 10 nights and end the year with 45 nights again, these nights will NOT rollover again. You will start 2016 with 0 nights (unless you have a marriott credit card)

ALL elite qualifying nights (nights stayed, credit card nights, rollover nights) count towards lifetime status

Now In marriott rewards you can choose to earn either points and miles, but earnings differ based on hotel brand.

You earn 10 base points, or 2 miles per dollar on ALL qualifying charges at (room service, hotel restaurant, spa services, and so on)

JW
Autograph Collection
Marriott
Rennaissance
MVC

You earn 10 base points, or 2 miles per dollar on room rate ONLY at

SHS
FFI
Protea
CY
Moxy
AC
Gaylord
RC

You will earn 5 base points or 1 miles per dollar on room rate ONLY at

You will earn 2.5 points or 1 mile per dollar on

MEA (Room Rate Only)
ES (All Qualifying Charges)

NOTICE:

- ELITE BONUSES COUNT FOR POINTS ONLY, YOU WILL NOT EARN ELITE BONUSES ON MILES

Spending Your Points

There are 9 categories, and 5 tiers of hotels, representing a point cost per night. ALL members get their 5th consecutive night (spent at the same hotel) for free. Most hotels use the "Category" system, ONLY RC, and Edition use the Tier system.

Category 1 - 7,500
Category 2 - 10,000
Category 3 - 15,000
Category 4 - 20,000
Category 5 - 25,000
Category 6 - 30,000
Category 7 - 35,000
Category 8 - 40,000
Category 9 - 45,000
Tier 1 - 30,000
Tier 2 - 40,000
Tier 3 - 50,000
Tier 4 - 60,000
Tier 5 - 70,000

Example of 5th night free:

Category 8 properties are 40,000 points/night

1 night = 40,000

2 nights = 80,000

3 nights = 120,000

4 nights = 160,000

5 nights = 160,000

This only works if you spend all 5 nights, in a row, at the same hotel.

That is the basics of the marriott rewards program...the ritz carlton rewards program is the SAME program, with a different name. You can only belong to one of them, and you can switch your "allegiance" at any time you choose by simply calling up customer service. The only difference is bonus opportunities.

Onto the Credit Cards

There are 4 credit cards associated with this rewards program

Marriott Rewards Credit Card

Marriott Rewards Premier

Marriott Rewards Business Premier

Ritz Carlton Rewards Card

The standard marriott rewards credit

$49 AF, waived first year
10 elite qualifying nights (these are not FREE nights for you to stay, they are nights towards elite status - This will get you silver status)
3 points per dollar on marriott hotels
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
1 Elite night credit for every $3,000 spent on the card

Marriott Rewards Premier Card

$85 annual fee, waived first year (Varies based on application link/offer used)
15 elite qualifying nights (10 for silver status, 5 extra to get you towards the next level)
one free category 1-5 certificate on each cardmember anniversary
5 points per dollar spent at all marriott properties
2 points per dollar spent on airfare, rental cars, and restaurants
1 point per dollar spent elsewhere
1 elite night credit for every $3,000 in card spend

Marriott Rewards Premier Card (Business)

$99 annual fee, waived first year (Varies based on application link/offer used)
15 elite qualifying nights (10 for silver status, 5 extra to get you towards the next level)
one free category 1-5 certificate on each cardmember anniversary
5 points per dollar spent at all marriott properties
2 points per dollar spent on airfare, rental cars, and restaurants, office supply stores, internet service, cable service, phone service
1 point per dollar spent elsewhere
1 elite night credit for every $3,000 in card spend

Ritz Carlton Rewards Card

$395/$450 annual fee
Automatic Marriott Gold Elite Status for your first year (and maintained each year after that with $10,000 spent on the card)
Ability to earn platinum elite status ($75,000 in card spend/yearly)
$300 Airline Incidental Credit (airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; in-flight meals; Global Entry fees)
$100 Hotel Credit on paid stays of 2+ nights (RC hotels ONLY, must use Z34 booking code (online) or book over the phone)
3 Certificates for upgrade to club level on a paid stay of up to 7 nights (RC hotels Only, must pay a certain rate (Z38 booking code), must be booked over the phone (though rates can be searched online) , INCLUDES $100 HOTEL CREDIT )
$100 discount on select airline ticket purchases of 2-5 passengers
Up to $100 global entry/TSA PreCheck credit (once every 4 years)
Priority Pass Select Membership (free guests, not sure on limits)
5 points per dollar spent at marriott
2 points per dollar spent on airfare, rental cars and restaurants
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
10% yearly bonus on ALL points earned through card spend

The basic marriott card is pretty much useless in my opinion. For a few more bucks a year you get a free night every year.

The premier card (personal and business), to me, is a keeper for the free annual night. You'll rarely find a hotel for cheaper than $85, and silver status (though it doesn't give much) certainly helps with the 20% bonus points. This also allows you to take a gold elite status challenge (if you are a basic member you can only take a silver challenge) which will give you a fast track to gold status. Like all hotel cards that offer a free annual night (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG...) I think this card is a no brainer if you travel at all.

The Ritz Carlton card holds TREMENDOUS value for it's automatic gold status, and benefits at ritz carlton. Even if you NEVER step foot in a ritz carlton hotel, if you stay at marriott often (but not often enough to achieve gold status), the free breakfast alone can be worth up to $50/day, and lounge access can be invaluable. Free food almost all day long, some lounges have free alcohol all day long. The ritz carlton club level upgrades can easily be worth $1000 (or more) each if used correctly, and the $100 hotel credit is worth $100 Though you may have trouble using the $300 airline credit for gift cards, it still has its' uses.

Edit: As of 9/6/16, despite policy stating otherwise, I have received 15 elite night credits from both the Marriott Premier Card, and the Marriott Business card, for a total of 30 elite night credits. This is not guaranteed, but it did happen.

I've left a lot out, I'll be editing this over time, but it's here if you need it Hope it helps some people a little bit, I know it's unorganized.

Feel free to reply with anything you think I missed or if you have any questions =]

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:10:52 GMT

I can always count on you for informed information BRAVO

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:11:35 GMT

Good job on this... 20 thumps up for you...

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:13:28 GMT

Great info. Thanks for posting this. Kenny, any chance of this being included in the helpful threads link?. These questions come up all the time

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:18:59 GMT

How much is Platinum status really worth unless you stay at the highest end of this hotel chain?

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

jsucool76 — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:30:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
How much is Platinum status really worth unless you stay at the highest end of this hotel chain?

Gold status is the meat and potatoes of the marriott rewards program, but depending on how many separate stays you have annually it can be very valuable (i will add this to main post as well)

every time you check into a hotel as a platinum (or platinum premier member) you are guaranteed (this includes resorts)

1000 points (or 500 miles) at

500 points (or a food/beverage amenity) at

JW
Autograph Collection
Ren
Marriott
Gaylord
MVC
EDITION (or 250 miles)

400 points (or food and bev amenity) at

AC (US & Canada)
CY (US & Canada)

250 points or food and bev amenity at (international)

AC
CY
Moxy
Protea

200 points or food and bev amenity at

SHS, RI, FFI, TPS

It also includes United Silver status (if that means anything to you, I know some people dont use united) and a 50% bonus on all points.

That's 15 points per dollar spent at marriott, not counting credit card points. Adds up quick!

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:34:01 GMT

What a shame that the Ritz-Carlton AF is so much higher than the Marriott Premier AF. At least if they threw in a Cat 1-7 night in there yearly it would be worth keeping long term for the casual traveler.

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

jsucool76 — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:37:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What a shame that the Ritz-Carlton AF is so much higher than the Marriott Premier AF. At least if they threw in a Cat 1-7 night in there yearly it would be worth keeping long term for the casual traveler.

the $300 airline incidental credit effectively puts you at a $95 AF. Marriott gold status is worth far more than that by itself, but you also get loungeclub, and all the other benefits (trip insurance, primary rental car insurance, ritz club level upgrades, $100 hotel credit)

I used a club level certificate for a cheap stay at the ritz pentagon city, I paid $169 a night for club level (and got a $100 hotel credit) and they were serving scallops, and filet mignon, and duck for dinner. Great breakfast every morning, FREE open bar all day long. Hard to beat that when it's a free upgrade. haha.

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:40:22 GMT

@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
What a shame that the Ritz-Carlton AF is so much higher than the Marriott Premier AF. At least if they threw in a Cat 1-7 night in there yearly it would be worth keeping long term for the casual traveler.
the $300 airline incidental credit effectively puts you at a $95 AF. Marriott gold status is worth far more than that by itself, but you also get loungeclub, and all the other benefits (trip insurance, primary rental car insurance, ritz club level upgrades, $100 hotel credit)

I used a club level certificate for a cheap stay at the ritz pentagon city, I paid $169 a night for club level (and got a $100 hotel credit) and they were serving scallops, and filet mignon, and duck for dinner. Great breakfast every morning, FREE open bar all day long. Hard to beat that when it's a free upgrade. haha.

This is only though if you can actually dedicate $10,000 of spend to it yearly. But if you're staying at the Ritz-Carlton, this should be no issue.

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:43:02 GMT

Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

jsucool76 — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:44:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
What a shame that the Ritz-Carlton AF is so much higher than the Marriott Premier AF. At least if they threw in a Cat 1-7 night in there yearly it would be worth keeping long term for the casual traveler.
the $300 airline incidental credit effectively puts you at a $95 AF. Marriott gold status is worth far more than that by itself, but you also get loungeclub, and all the other benefits (trip insurance, primary rental car insurance, ritz club level upgrades, $100 hotel credit)

I used a club level certificate for a cheap stay at the ritz pentagon city, I paid $169 a night for club level (and got a $100 hotel credit) and they were serving scallops, and filet mignon, and duck for dinner. Great breakfast every morning, FREE open bar all day long. Hard to beat that when it's a free upgrade. haha.
This is only though if you can actually dedicate $10,000 of spend to it yearly. But if you're staying at the Ritz-Carlton, this should be no issue.

10k in a whole year isn't that much. I pay all of my mom's (and some of my sister's) bills and have them reimburse me. When I go on a trip with family/friend, I charge EVERYTHING to my cards and have them pay me. I paid my mom's cell phone bill, cable bill, car insurance, my own expenses. Hit the 10k in like 3 months. haha.

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:44:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!

Just send him PMs. He will eventually respond :-)

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:48:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!

Lol that's what I do he and newguy have great info and vast knowledge of these things

Then when Jsucool goes AWOL I'm like a junkie w/o his fix (information)....Lol

Hint hint stop going AWOL pal

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

jsucool76 — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:51:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!
Just send him PMs. He will eventually respond :-)

I'm pretty good with PMs...but if possible save them all for Friday, or the following sunday. I'll be in an admiral's club for 3.5 hours, and on planes for about 12 hours. I need something to do. haha. My next messy guide shall be the thankyou rewards cards Thank you prestige for my admiral's club access.

@MJ

I haven't been AWOL for a bit. I try to keep up with this now. It's when I'm in desperate need of gardening I go AWOL, but I'll always respond to a PM haha. =]

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:52:11 GMT

@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!
Just send him PMs. He will eventually respond :-)
I'm pretty good with PMs...but if possible save them all for Friday, or the following sunday. I'll be in an admiral's club for 3.5 hours, and on planes for about 12 hours. I need something to do. haha. My next messy guide shall be the thankyou rewards cards Thank you prestige for my admiral's club access.

@MJ

I haven't been AWOL for a bit. I try to keep up with this now. It's when I'm in desperate need of gardening I go AWOL, but I'll always respond to a PM haha. =]

Where you going this time? Is this your Germany trip?

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

FinStar — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:53:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Good job on this... 20 thumps up for you...

Totally agree! Thanks jsucool76 for taking the time to consolidate and post all this great information.

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

jsucool76 — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:56:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!
Just send him PMs. He will eventually respond :-)
I'm pretty good with PMs...but if possible save them all for Friday, or the following sunday. I'll be in an admiral's club for 3.5 hours, and on planes for about 12 hours. I need something to do. haha. My next messy guide shall be the thankyou rewards cards Thank you prestige for my admiral's club access.

@MJ

I haven't been AWOL for a bit. I try to keep up with this now. It's when I'm in desperate need of gardening I go AWOL, but I'll always respond to a PM haha. =]
Where you going this time? Is this your Germany trip?

Yeah

FLL-PHL(3:45 break at PHL)-FRA - So if anyone is at PHL on july 3rd, free admiral's club access if you shoot me a PM haha.

then on the 8th i'm flying CGN-STN for a day in london, then back STN-CGN that night.

then on the 12th i'm flying FRA-PHL-FLL, and then I have work first thing the morning of the 13th

thank's to my marriott gold status from the RCR card I got upgraded to an executive suite for my stay at the Cologne Marriott =]

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:56:29 GMT

@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!
Just send him PMs. He will eventually respond :-)
I'm pretty good with PMs...but if possible save them all for Friday, or the following sunday. I'll be in an admiral's club for 3.5 hours, and on planes for about 12 hours. I need something to do. haha. My next messy guide shall be the thankyou rewards cards Thank you prestige for my admiral's club access.

@MJ

I haven't been AWOL for a bit. I try to keep up with this now. It's when I'm in desperate need of gardening I go AWOL, but I'll always respond to a PM haha. =]
Where you going this time? Is this your Germany trip?
Yeah

FLL-PHL(3:45 break at PHL)-FRA

then on the 8th i'm flying CGN-STN for a day in london, then back STN-CGN that night.

then on the 12th i'm flying FRA-PHL-FLL, and then I have work first thing the morning of the 13th

thank's to my marriott gold status from the RCR card I got upgraded to an executive suite for my stay at the Cologne Marriott =]

Very nice. Enjoy the trip!

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 04:05:30 GMT

@jsucool76 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Love this! Not calling Chase anymore..I'll just ask Jsu from now on!
Just send him PMs. He will eventually respond :-)
I'm pretty good with PMs...but if possible save them all for Friday, or the following sunday. I'll be in an admiral's club for 3.5 hours, and on planes for about 12 hours. I need something to do. haha. My next messy guide shall be the thankyou rewards cards Thank you prestige for my admiral's club access.

@MJ

I haven't been AWOL for a bit. I try to keep up with this now. It's when I'm in desperate need of gardening I go AWOL, but I'll always respond to a PM haha. =]

Lol Ok now I know

Re: Comprehensive Guide to Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards (and Their Credit Cards)

myjourney — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 04:07:07 GMT

Hold up what's this FLL thing

Cuz I'm FLL 365/24/7 Lol