topic Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa in Credit Cards

Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 11:32:17 GMT

I just got an email for 5k bonus points after spending 5k in July, plus another 5k spend in August. Is it just me, or does this offer seem a bit lackluster?

I know Chase sends out offers like this for their Marriott and Hyatt cards, but I think this is the worst of the lot so far.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

NonSufficientFunds — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 15:52:50 GMT

For the annual fee of $395, they should offer something more than a cool-looking card and 5000 points.

There are better deals out there, which don't require you to spend $10,000 in the first two months.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 15:57:20 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
I just got an email for 5k bonus points after spending 5k in July, plus another 5k spend in August. Is it just me, or does this offer seem a bit lackluster?

I know Chase sends out offers like this for their Marriott and Hyatt cards, but I think this is the worst of the lot so far.

Doesn't seem compelling, at all. I'm not sure if I'm going to renew my Ritz card; need to really think about it at $395.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 02:04:39 GMT

I know they give better bonuses on their Marriott and Hyatt cards, depending on your recent spending patterns.

Marriott gives a Cat 1-5 cert after 3k spending in 3 months, while Hyatt offers 3k bonus points after 3 months, 5k bonus for 5k spend, 10k for 10k, 20k for 20k. For Hyatt, that essentially is 2 points per dollar on general spend.

Open, I just got another 100k Amex platinum offer like I did last year (which I passed on). I'm wondering if I should keep the Ritz or try the Amex platinum instead. What are your thoughts on this now that you've had both?

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 02:36:39 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
Open, I just got another 100k Amex platinum offer like I did last year (which I passed on). I'm wondering if I should keep the Ritz or try the Amex platinum instead. What are your thoughts on this now that you've had both?

After almost a year, between a Personal Plat or Ritz card, I probably still get a little more out of the Ritz.

This is mainly because I spend greater than $10K at the Ritz whether I have the card or not, which gives me two free nights per year. The airline credit, no forex emv, and club level passes are all nice touches, but not really the main reason for my having the card.

If I didn't have a business Plat and SPG lifetime Plat starting this Fall, I'd probably say the Plat was a better deal, especially with the 100K MR bonus. In your position, renewing the Ritz at $395 basically gets you Marriott Gold; whereas, the Amex Plat will give you 100K MR (you know how I feel about sign up bonsues!), $200 airline credit that's easier to use, elite rental car status, and free global entry.

All things being equal, the Plat with 100K MR bonus is a better deal than the Ritz with no bonus.

PS - Downside is though Plat has EMV and no forex, there's minimal acceptance where you are.

PS 2 - Even with my stays, I'm not sure if I'm going to renew the Ritz card. 2 free nights for $395 seems like a wash, since the other "perks" aren't that relevant to me.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 02:42:47 GMT

By the way, how do they treat you at the Ritz when you have the card? Do you think they treat you better with the card, or no difference?

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:07:55 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
By the way, how do they treat you at the Ritz when you have the card? Do you think they treat you better with the card, or no difference?

I've only had 2 Ritz stays since I received the card, but based on those experiences I think the treatment I've received is better with than without. For starters, there is no way I stay 50 nights per year there. On pure nights alone without the CC I'd be silver, so I'm assuming gold has to count for something.

More importantly though, showing the Ritz card somehow "legitimizes" my presence there. I definitely don't look like your average Ritz patron (I don't think having spiky hair that's 3-4 inches high is exactly "the norm" there), and there's been more than one occasion where I've encountered a negative first reaction (from doormen, check-in staff, etc.), or have been scrutinized more heavily than my behaviour would warrant.

However once I hand the check-in staff my Ritz card, it's almost as if they have this look of "Oh, you're ok then. You aren't lost afterall and you actually do belong here". They then proceed to thank me for my loyalty, comment on the card, etc.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:30:46 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
I've only had 2 Ritz stays since I received the card, but based on those experiences I think the treatment I've received is better with than without. For starters, there is no way I stay 50 nights per year there. On pure nights alone without the CC I'd be silver, so I'm assuming gold has to count for something.

So, are you leaning towards keeping yours?

I'm undecided. For me, it's either the Ritz or CSP; so, I'd have to pick one.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:42:29 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@CreditScholar wrote:
Open, I just got another 100k Amex platinum offer like I did last year (which I passed on). I'm wondering if I should keep the Ritz or try the Amex platinum instead. What are your thoughts on this now that you've had both?
After almost a year, between a Personal Plat or Ritz card, I probably still get a little more out of the Ritz.

This is mainly because I spend greater than $10K at the Ritz whether I have the card or not, which gives me two free nights per year. The airline credit, no forex emv, and club level passes are all nice touches, but not really the main reason for my having the card.

If I didn't have a business Plat and SPG lifetime Plat starting this Fall, I'd probably say the Plat was a better deal, especially with the 100K MR bonus. In your position, renewing the Ritz at $395 basically gets you Marriott Gold; whereas, the Amex Plat will give you 100K MR (you know how I feel about sign up bonsues!), $200 airline credit that's easier to use, elite rental car status, and free global entry.

All things being equal, the Plat with 100K MR bonus is a better deal than the Ritz with no bonus.

PS - Downside is though Plat has EMV and no forex, there's minimal acceptance where you are.

PS 2 - Even with my stays, I'm not sure if I'm going to renew the Ritz card. 2 free nights for $395 seems like a wash, since the other "perks" aren't that relevant to me.

This is a huge downside, and beyond the signup bonus requirement there's little incentive to put any spend on the Amex plat unless I use FHR or the reimbursed airline credit spending. It would free up 10k annual spend on the Ritz card that could be diverted over to my UA Club card, and 15k UA miles >> 10k Ritz points.

The alternative is that I could "pull an Open", take the 100k MR signup bonus (since I know how you feel about signup bonuses!), and then cancel after 11 months. The Ritz card would then remain untouched and spending would proceed on it as normal (10k per year).

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:46:52 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@CreditScholar wrote:
I've only had 2 Ritz stays since I received the card, but based on those experiences I think the treatment I've received is better with than without. For starters, there is no way I stay 50 nights per year there. On pure nights alone without the CC I'd be silver, so I'm assuming gold has to count for something.
So, are you leaning towards keeping yours?

I'm undecided. For me, it's either the Ritz or CSP; so, I'd have to pick one.

If I had to make a decision right now, I'd probably keep it for another year and then re-evaluate my position then. Of course things may change over the next several months.

I'm also still undecided as to whether or not I'll stay at the Ritz or JW in Seoul later this year, but some of the luke-warm reviews about the Ritz are making me have second thoughts. I've stayed at the JW before, so at least I know what I'm getting. If I did pick the Ritz, that would be one more reason to keep it (at least for the next year).

On another note, what do you think of the new version (with the EMV chip)?

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:56:28 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
The alternative is that I could "pull an Open", take the 100k MR signup bonus (since I know how you feel about signup bonuses!), and then cancel after 11 months. The Ritz card would then remain untouched and spending would proceed on it as normal (10k per year).

Without hesitation, this is what I would do. LOL

Regarding the chip, I think it's a nice touch to have it, especially on a card with this high of an annual fee. I haven't used it much, but have noticed some issues using the card. I'm not sure if this is because of the chip, or it being metal. For whatever reasons, there are some places where it doesn't seem to work, and I've got to resort to using my HSBC.

Nonethless, it's a nice addition, and has made it easier to use abroad.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:04:22 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@CreditScholar wrote:
The alternative is that I could "pull an Open", take the 100k MR signup bonus (since I know how you feel about signup bonuses!), and then cancel after 11 months. The Ritz card would then remain untouched and spending would proceed on it as normal (10k per year).
Without hesitation, this is what I would do. LOL

Regarding the chip, I think it's a nice touch to have it, especially on a card with this high of an annual fee. I haven't used it much, but have noticed some issues using the card. I'm not sure if this is because of the chip, or it being metal. For whatever reasons, there are some places where it doesn't seem to work, and I've got to resort to using my HSBC.

Nonethless, it's a nice addition, and has made it easier to use abroad.

Do you think there would be any significant or long-lasting impact on any future relationship with Amex? I know they keep extensive records on people, and I'm not sure if I would want to be identified as a "churner" (since I've never churned a card in my entire life). I'm guessing at a bare minimum that'd be the last 100k offer I see.

Also when I received my Ritz cards and just stacked them on top of each other, it felt like there was a very slight force (magnetic?) that was holding them together. It would go against common sense that they would be magnetic, but I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:06:18 GMT

One other thing: If you already cancelled your Amex plat, and given that you're considering cancelling your JPM Ritz as well, would you be able to get away with having neither from a travel benefits-perspective?

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:13:01 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
Do you think there would be any significant or long-lasting impact on any future relationship with Amex? I know they keep extensive records on people, and I'm not sure if I would want to be identified as a "churner" (since I've never churned a card in my entire life). I'm guessing at a bare minimum that'd be the last 100k offer I see.

Also when I received my Ritz cards and just stacked them on top of each other, it felt like there was a very slight force (magnetic?) that was holding them together. It would go against common sense that they would be magnetic, but I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

In your case? No, I don't think so. While it's true Amex keeps extensive records of every card and bonus you've had with them, one they wouldn't consider a "churner." Now, if you applied every 12 months (not even I would do this! LOL), then you may experience some subtle repercussions. In this case, given you were targetted with this offer, their more than willing to give you the MR points to try the card for a year. Now, it may be different if you were applying through link exploitation.

Hm, never noticed compared the two cards. I just sent back the original on the envelope they sent me. So, the cards seem magnetized? I'm not sure what it is, but I do know at some terminals and POS, a plastic card works fine while the metal Ritz didn't. Not exactly scientic, and the there could be many reasons why one worked while the other didn't.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

CreditScholar — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:23:24 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@CreditScholar wrote:
Do you think there would be any significant or long-lasting impact on any future relationship with Amex? I know they keep extensive records on people, and I'm not sure if I would want to be identified as a "churner" (since I've never churned a card in my entire life). I'm guessing at a bare minimum that'd be the last 100k offer I see.

Also when I received my Ritz cards and just stacked them on top of each other, it felt like there was a very slight force (magnetic?) that was holding them together. It would go against common sense that they would be magnetic, but I wonder if that has anything to do with it?
In your case? No, I don't think so. While it's true Amex keeps extensive records of every card and bonus you've had with them, one they wouldn't consider a "churner." Now, if you applied every 12 months (not even I would do this! LOL), then you may experience some subtle repercussions. In this case, given you were targetted with this offer, their more than willing to give you the MR points to try the card for a year. Now, it may be different if you were applying through link exploitation.

Hm, never noticed compared the two cards. I just sent back the original on the envelope they sent me. So, the cards seem magnetized? I'm not sure what it is, but I do know at some terminals and POS, a plastic card works fine while the metal Ritz didn't. Not exactly scientic, and the there could be many reasons why one worked while the other didn't.

Well, that's a long story.

I called in after a month of receiving the email asking when I would receive my new cards. They explained that they sent them out 3 weeks ago, and that I should have received them by then. They immediately cancelled the cards and issued me new ones, saying the replacements would be there within 1-2 business days. I then proceeded to change my online details, my stored CC info in RCR, etc. The next day I had 4 cards show up on my doorstep in 2 seperate boxes, the 2 original ones plus the 2 new ones.

Out of curiosity I stacked the 4 on top of each other, and that's what it felt like to me. I'm not sure if it's truly the case, but that's what it felt like. Either that or it's just because there were 4 cards, and those things weigh quite a bit. I think they're heavier than my old centurion, but that was quite some time ago.

When you said they wouldn't work at certain terminals and POS, do you mean the chip wouldn't work, swiping it didn't work, or both?

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:28:15 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
One other thing: If you already cancelled your Amex plat, and given that you're considering cancelling your JPM Ritz as well, would you be able to get away with having neither from a travel benefits-perspective?

This is my dilemma, deciding whether or not to keep one or none for my personal use.

Since I've got a bus Plat and SPG status, the only reason to opt for the Plat would be the restrictive $200 airline credit (which I never use), and to use the card for personal non-forex spending I can't put on my business card. Unless I lease a Benz or something, I don't see paying $450 just for that, since I can't even write it off.

I've been staying at some of the Ritz's ever since I was s child with my parents for family vacations; and, the staff at those particular hotels all know me pretty well. Whether or not I've got the card wouldn't make any difference in the qualify of service, though it may some for others. However, I do spend enough for Gold status (but, never really use it Marriott), and do earn about 100K points per year, which is good for 2 or 3 nights.

If I had to choose one, I think the Ritz is a better value for me, eventhough the airline lounge has been downgraded, and the $200 airline credit is more hassle than Amex, but I do have the advantage of actually using it since I'm not restricted by a single airline.

Re: Targeted Bonus Offer: Ritz Carlton Visa

Open123 — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 04:33:07 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
When you said they wouldn't work at certain terminals and POS, do you mean the chip wouldn't work, swiping it didn't work, or both?

There were times when the number had to be entered manually, where not even the magnetic strip worked. Maybe the card was too thick, or it was a newer type of mag strip.

Again, not scientific, but my HSBC would always work at all of the places where my Ritz didn't. It didn't exactly happen all the time, but be prepared for it to happen a few times.