topic Re: Ritz Carlton in Credit Cards

Ritz Carlton

DomLS3 — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:40:10 GMT

Got my Ritz card back in December and loving it so far. I'm curious though... did anyone get this card just to have it? What I mean by that is, I app'd for this card without caring about the benefits or ever planning to seriously use the points or stay at a Ritz hotel (I don't travel much, so I don't stay in hotels). I just wanted the card.The $395 anual fee is nothing to me, and well worth being able to carry around an awesome card like this (some people would argue that it's wasted money, or not a "smart" decision, but it only comes out to be $33 a month, and even less if I buy AA gift cards for the airline credit). Has anyone else app'd for this card knowing full well you're probably not going to use it's benefits?

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:10:38 GMT

@DomLS3 wrote:
Got my Ritz card back in December and loving it so far. I'm curious though... did anyone get this card just to have it? What I mean by that is, I app'd for this card without caring about the benefits or ever planning to seriously use the points or stay at a Ritz hotel (I don't travel much, so I don't stay in hotels). I just wanted the card.The $395 anual fee is nothing to me, and well worth being able to carry around an awesome card like this (some people would argue that it's wasted money, or not a "smart" decision, but it only comes out to be $33 a month, and even less if I buy AA gift cards for the airline credit). Has anyone else app'd for this card knowing full well you're probably not going to use it's benefits?

Dear lord... obviously, if you find that you get more utility out of the card than the cost of it, keep using it, but I think that it's a stupid idea to hold onto a card like the Ritz unless you're actually going to fully utilize its benefits. It is not cheap (even with the airline credits), and in my opinion, its cost is not even close to being worthwhile in exchange for its sleek black/metal design. Go for something that you'll actually use.

But then again... if you really do think that it's worth it to hold onto it, then be my guest...

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:37:42 GMT

I got it for the benefits, and because I thought it was cool. But honestly I find myself more embarrassed using it than not. I use it for restaurant spend (trying to meet the $10k for retaining Marriott status) which often amounts to a $2.99 burrito. It's a little ostentatious for the use it gets from me on a regular basis. As a petite female, I always make the joke that I carry it as a weapon when questioned, but I mentioned the other day that I busted out my Freedom instead the other day when I was somewhere I was embarrassed to have and use that nice of a card.

Re: Ritz Carlton

creditguy — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:42:35 GMT

While the Ritz is certainly a cool card and I'm sure your not the only one who apped for it because it's cool. I definitely would never get a card that I have no use for especially with a $395 AF just based on the feeling I get carrying it. While $33 a month would not make or break me, it's the principle of throwing away money on a piece of metal that spends a majority of time in my wallet. A majority of people aren't impressed by what kind of credit card we carry, even if they are, you just impressed a cashier at the gas station, now that's something. I apply for cards based on their benefits, I make my money work for me, or at least try, but to each their own.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:52:17 GMT

No, I applied because I had a need for it. Personally, the benefits and the $300 credit works well for me. So the $95 annual fee after the math is not a big deal to me.

Re: Ritz Carlton

ddemari — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:18:18 GMT

When I first applied for the Ritz, I did want it for its nice design lol. but I did take advantage last year from the 300 travel credit which made the annual fee very reasonable to me. Now, I have stayed at the Ritz before but don't stay there exclusively (i wish though)! Its a pricey hotel for sure, which makes sense its a luxury hotel but still everything aside its a good card if you work the benefits.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:10:51 GMT

It's significantly cheaper than a Porsche (though probably less effective), if the goal is to impress others.

That said, I know I wouldn't want to earn rewards in a currency I'd never use.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:15:40 GMT

A very funny thing about what we perceive as "cool". I also thought it was SO cool to have that metal card when I got mine. After the 3rd month of using I SD'd the damn thing because the "OMG, this card is SO heavy...." from each checkout truly became annoying to me. I eventually consolidated all the CL to my Marriott card.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 01:12:27 GMT

This is the only card that I pay the annual fee on; all of the others are no fee or I get the fee waived. The first year I received 80k in marriot points and $600 in incidental charges refunded by apping in September and taking advantage of the new year reset. I then got a free night at the Los Angeles Ritz and 10k more Marriot points as a retention offer, in addition to gold Marriot status through the end of the year by making the required spend, so yes, well worth it for me.

The only down side, it set of the metal detector at LAX and it took us a while to figure out what the problem was.......

Re: Ritz Carlton

CreditScholar — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 04:30:53 GMT

@DomLS3 wrote:
Got my Ritz card back in December and loving it so far. I'm curious though... did anyone get this card just to have it? What I mean by that is, I app'd for this card without caring about the benefits or ever planning to seriously use the points or stay at a Ritz hotel (I don't travel much, so I don't stay in hotels). I just wanted the card.The $395 anual fee is nothing to me, and well worth being able to carry around an awesome card like this (some people would argue that it's wasted money, or not a "smart" decision, but it only comes out to be $33 a month, and even less if I buy AA gift cards for the airline credit). Has anyone else app'd for this card knowing full well you're probably not going to use it's benefits?

/facepalm

Re: Ritz Carlton

SeattleSuperBowlChampions — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 07:20:48 GMT

I feel like this card isn't getting enough love on this thread. I love this card (both the design and benefits). Out of all the cards that come with airport lounge access, this one is the cheapest. Yes, the lounge access included with this one has the least amount of available lounges, but honestly do you need access to every single one? You can add AU to this card without fee and they can receive their own lounge club membership which is unique to this card. 300 credit for airline charges per year, plus Marriott Gold with 10K spend. Lounge access to Marriott hotels are a great benefit. Free food and drinks.

And if you don't care about all of that and want to pay 395 per year to have a heavy metal card then who cares. Eveyone would be lying if they said they never paid a premium for a product based on brand or to feel better about themselves.

Re: Ritz Carlton

DomLS3 — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 21:36:17 GMT

People are doing exactly what I thought they were going to do... "Oh that's a bad idea, /facpalm, wasted money"

Wasted money and bad ideas are a matter of opinion. People who have money to blow, blow it on whatever they want. $395 a year "for a piece of metal" is nothing to me, much like someone who buys a sports car instead of a compact. You spend what your income allows you to, which is what I did. I like the card, I've always wanted a metal card, and IF I ever wanted to use the benefits, I can at any time. It's no different than paying extra money for a different kind of TV or internet service. I don't NEED all the HBO channels, and I don't NEEd the fastest internet speed they can provide, but I like it and want it. No need to judge.

I'm 26 years old and have a better credit profile and income than most people do at 40. I'm not going to waste my youth and income by settling for generic and plain things, so long as my income supplements it.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 23:26:41 GMT

I'm spending time at LAX today getting my Global Entry courtesy of My RC card. Always an interesting way to spend time.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 23:34:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm spending time at LAX today getting my Global Entry courtesy of My RC card. Always an interesting way to spend time.

Hope it doesnt take you too long. Mine at Dulles only took 30 mins besdes the drive

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:07:51 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm spending time at LAX today getting my Global Entry courtesy of My RC card. Always an interesting way to spend time.
Hope it doesnt take you too long. Mine at Dulles only took 30 mins besdes the drive

That's from the $300 airfare extras credit, though, right? Not a separate perk?

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:12:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm spending time at LAX today getting my Global Entry courtesy of My RC card. Always an interesting way to spend time.
Hope it doesnt take you too long. Mine at Dulles only took 30 mins besdes the drive
That's from the $300 airfare extras credit, though, right? Not a separate perk?

Correct. In my case, I didnt use the Ritz card because I have like 4/5 cards that will pay for it as seperate benefit. In Ritz's case, it would come out of the $300.

Re: Ritz Carlton

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 03:57:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm spending time at LAX today getting my Global Entry courtesy of My RC card. Always an interesting way to spend time.
Hope it doesnt take you too long. Mine at Dulles only took 30 mins besdes the drive
That's from the $300 airfare extras credit, though, right? Not a separate perk?
Correct. In my case, I didnt use the Ritz card because I have like 4/5 cards that will pay for it as seperate benefit. In Ritz's case, it would come out of the $300.

Hour drive there, quite a walk from where I had to park (nearest 2 structures full), didn't have to wait long but...3 hour drive home. Yep. Three. Hours. Glad I love my car and had Spotify going.

It's the only card I have with the benefit (unless PRG does but I didn't have that when I applied). Now to get DH to get TSA pre-check with his Plat (since he doesn't have a passport and can't be talked into one just in case.)

Re: Ritz Carlton

Closingracer99 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:14:25 GMT

If you want a metal card or a Black one why not go for the CSP or the Marriott cards? They are both metal and the Marriott one is black as well

Re: Ritz Carlton

odd_dog — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:20:38 GMT

@Closingracer99 wrote:
If you want a metal card or a Black one why not go for the CSP or the Marriott cards? They are both metal and the Marriott one is black as well

Well.....if you are just going for the "metal" aspect then Ritz is the heaviest...I mean if your going for it DO IT RIGHT!! LOL

Re: Ritz Carlton

DomLS3 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 14:39:27 GMT

@Closingracer99 wrote:
If you want a metal card or a Black one why not go for the CSP or the Marriott cards? They are both metal and the Marriott one is black as well

CSP isn't metal... it's plastic with a metal core, and I'm not certain about the Marriott cards.

But to answer your question... simply put.... I wanted the best there was. Since I'm not quite at the AMEX Centurion level just yet, 2nd best will do.