topic Re: Ritz Card info needed in Credit Cards

Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:30:07 GMT

Hello every one,

I am going through the Ritz card benifits and just want to know, how this card is more benifical to you? As in what feature you use most on this card?

Re: Ritz Card info needed

-NewGuy- — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:38:45 GMT

Hey N U,

I don't have it but have read up about it and about people that do. The $200 airline incidental credit is a guarantee to get used by anyone who travels, in essence bringing the AF cost down to $195. I'll let others who do have it comment further. However, I will say that redeeming points at the Ritz is pretty brutal. Their redemption values are outrageous.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

dilettante — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:53:34 GMT

It's a great card to have if you use Ritz/Marriotts a lot. It's beneficial for our needs because:

stays at Ritz/Marriott's get 5X points / 2X dining, travel - with all DH's work travels, amassed enough points to gift family with 2 week stay at a new JW overseas as well as other stays for family this year.
generous sign up bonus
generous starting CL and flexible spending capability
Primary CDW
$200 airline incidental credit per calendar year on any airline - used it for cocktails, wifi when flying economy
Lounge Club - unlimited visits, #of guests. But not too many US locations so better for international travel.
Gold Status at Ritz/Marriott beginning at sign up and yearly thereafter w/ $10K spend - I don't stay enough to get Gold but DH does, so I'm primary holder so we can both have elite status.
Executive line CSR - no prompts and gets answered by person immediately, CSR's located in US and are very professional and accommodating
chip & sig, no FTF
unlimited no fee AU's allowed (they just changed the policy - just found out when I ordered a 4th )
Concierge services - I have only called once and they are very eager to help.
received all sorts of offers for special events at the Ritz (there was a great one earlier with a bunch of world class chefs that I wished I could've attended)

And for those desiring a metal card, it is one of the heaviest you will find (27 grams - just as heavy as my Palladium) though after the initial fun of it with waiters/cashiers, it can actually become annoying. They always expedite cards and it has a very elegant and impressive packaging (IMO much better presentation than the Palladium).

Re: Ritz Card info needed

yudeology101 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:08:43 GMT

@dilettante wrote:
It's a great card to have if you use Ritz/Marriotts a lot. It's beneficial for our needs because:

stays at Ritz/Marriott's get 5X points / 2X dining, travel - with all DH's work travels, amassed enough points to gift family with 2 week stay at a new JW overseas as well as other stays for family this year.
generous sign up bonus
generous starting CL and flexible spending capability
Primary CDW
$200 airline incidental credit per calendar year on any airline - used it for cocktails, wifi when flying economy
Lounge Club - unlimited visits, #of guests. But not too many US locations so better for international travel.
Gold Status at Ritz/Marriott beginning at sign up and yearly thereafter w/ $10K spend - I don't stay enough to get Gold but DH does, so I'm primary holder so we can both have elite status.
Executive line CSR - no prompts and gets answered by person immediately, CSR's located in US and are very professional and accommodating
chip & sig, no FTF
unlimited no fee AU's allowed (they just changed the policy - just found out when I ordered a 4th )
Concierge services - I have only called once and they are very eager to help.
received all sorts of offers for special events at the Ritz (there was a great one earlier with a bunch of world class chefs that I wished I could've attended)
And for those desiring a metal card, it is one of the heaviest you will find (27 grams - just as heavy as my Palladium) though after the initial fun of it with waiters/cashiers, it can actually become annoying. They always expedite cards and it has a very elegant and impressive packaging (IMO much better presentation than the Palladium).

+1 except i don't get annoyed when i get compliments

Here's a pic of the packaging when mine came in the mail:

When i travel, I must say this is the to-go card for me. I always try to book either Marriott or Hyatt, and when i do book Marriott this is the card i carry and use for that trip. Like dillettante mentioned, it's 5x points for hotel, 2x on dining so i can rake up those points as much as i can...When i book a Hyatt hotel, then i use that card for everything for that trip....

Besides that, I still use it everyday for general purchases...Those compliments i get from the cute chics working at Taco Bell makes me feel like a boss lol I should ask for extra lettuce next time.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:18:16 GMT

Thank you vermy much for sharing this info. My ultimate goal is to get Palladium.As a alternative, this was the only card I found from JP Morgan, which might build me some relationship.

I have following concerns. I don't stay at Ritz, they are too expensive and not available everywhere for me. I will stay at Marriot/Hilton/Hyatt. The benifits I see for me from the Ritz is as following -

1 - Gold status with Marriot (After $10K spend)

2- JP Morgan CSR, good standards.

3 - $200 can be claimed back.

But I really love the Marriot because, It gives me free night anually which offsets the AF. Also, it has same rewards structure as Ritz.

Is it better, to wait till I get CPC status and get Palladium directly instead of Ritz?

Chase gives Gold status on Ritz card and free nights on Marriot cards. which confused me to get which card should I get? Please help me guys.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:25:43 GMT

@yudeology101

Yes, I even love the compliments for the card I hold. But, can you mind sharing how you justify AF. The reason, I am asking this is that I use my CSP for the (2x) dining and travel, which can be transferred to Hyatt (IMO, Hyatt has more value than Ritz/Marriot Points).

I am trying to figure how to offset the AF. I assume, you might be spending like $100K/year to rack up a good amount of points. Also can I buy GC and get $200 Credit?

Re: Ritz Card info needed

-NewGuy- — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:30:10 GMT

How often are you staying at each hotel brand? Also, are you going to use the card for spend outside of hotels? If yes, the Hyatt card, also from Chase, would be a nice bet as their points are certainly worth more than Marriott points.

EDIT: You posted a second before I did, LOL

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:36:15 GMT

Lol!! I stay like 5-10 days/year.

I love Hyatt, for their options to redeem nights in Park Hyatt NYC, where a night starts like 875$/day. and we get like 2 days free with the sign up bonus. That's almost like 1700$. And to top of it, we do get free nights every year.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

-NewGuy- — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:51:09 GMT

@newUser0 wrote:
Lol!! I stay like 5-10 days/year.
I love Hyatt, for their options to redeem nights in Park Hyatt NYC, where a night starts like 875$/day. and we get like 2 days free with the sign up bonus. That's almost like 1700$. And to top of it, we do get free nights every year.

And some of the cat 1-4 Hyatts are actually pretty darn nice, so you aren't getting a worthless free night every year also. Also comes with Hyatt Platinum, which while lacking certain niecities like breakfast that Marriott / Rtiz Gold provide, still gives you late checkout, preferred room upgrades, etc. Also, I don't know if you go to Vegas, but Hyatt Platinum members gets a matched Mlife Gold Status, which you can use at all the MGM hotels and Casinos there. Nice perks too, faster earning, dedicated check in lines (which can save at least a half an hour in Vegas) preferred line at buffets, room upgrades, etc. Pretty nice card in my opinion.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

09Lexie — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 19:03:36 GMT

It really boils down to personal preference. I have the Ritz and the HHonors Amex and both serve my needs. If there isn't a Rirz/Marriott where I'm staying 9/10 I can find a Hilton property.

The fee is easily justified between the $200 airline incidentals and the complimentary upgrades. Plus, if you use the card for hotel stays the 5x rewards will add up.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 19:45:55 GMT

Thanks Lexie, But I still not sure on this. If my math is right even if you earn 5x points, you need 30,000 Points for a free night. So, you need to spend $6000 on just hotels alone to get this.

Other, way, if you spend $5000 on your card for ANY purchase on CSP and get he point transferred to Hyatt, you too get a free night. Ofcourse, it will be of less standard than Ritz, not too bad isn't it?

Re: Ritz Card info needed

09Lexie — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:04:11 GMT

@newUser0 wrote:
Thanks Lexie, But I still not sure on this. If my math is right even if you earn 5x points, you need 30,000 Points for a free night. So, you need to spend $6000 on just hotels alone to get this.

Other, way, if you spend $5000 on your card for ANY purchase on CSP and get he point transferred to Hyatt, you too get a free night. Ofcourse, it will be of less standard than Ritz, not too bad isn't it?

At $600-1100 a night for a 1 bedroom, $6k isn't difficult to accumulate even with low usage. If you fly at all, the $200 travel incidentals lowers the fee substantially plus the room upgrades are bonuses for me.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

Kenny — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:21:19 GMT

@09Lexie wrote:
@newUser0 wrote:
Thanks Lexie, But I still not sure on this. If my math is right even if you earn 5x points, you need 30,000 Points for a free night. So, you need to spend $6000 on just hotels alone to get this.

Other, way, if you spend $5000 on your card for ANY purchase on CSP and get he point transferred to Hyatt, you too get a free night. Ofcourse, it will be of less standard than Ritz, not too bad isn't it?
At $600-1100 a night for a 1 bedroom, $6k isn't difficult to accumulate even with low usage. If you fly at all, the $200 travel incidentals lowers the fee substantially plus the room upgrades are bonuses for me.

Exactly. I think people forget that this is the RITZ card. Typically that would mean that it would benefit high spenders. I agree though, the perks of this card outweight the annual fee if you utilize them. (Just like any high AF card, just matters if it fits into your spending pattern.)

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:26:18 GMT

@09Lexie wrote:
@newUser0 wrote:
Thanks Lexie, But I still not sure on this. If my math is right even if you earn 5x points, you need 30,000 Points for a free night. So, you need to spend $6000 on just hotels alone to get this.

Other, way, if you spend $5000 on your card for ANY purchase on CSP and get he point transferred to Hyatt, you too get a free night. Ofcourse, it will be of less standard than Ritz, not too bad isn't it?
At $600-1100 a night for a 1 bedroom, $6k isn't difficult to accumulate even with low usage. If you fly at all, the $200 travel incidentals lowers the fee substantially plus the room upgrades are bonuses for me.

Now, I understood. Basically, I am not a high spender on hotel. So, this will NOT much suit me now. Thanks for sharing this.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

-NewGuy- — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:34:27 GMT

@newUser0 wrote:
Thanks Lexie, But I still not sure on this. If my math is right even if you earn 5x points, you need 30,000 Points for a free night. So, you need to spend $6000 on just hotels alone to get this.

Other, way, if you spend $5000 on your card for ANY purchase on CSP and get he point transferred to Hyatt, you too get a free night. Ofcourse, it will be of less standard than Ritz, not too bad isn't it?

Not quite. That figure would be true if you were only getting points from your credit card. However, since we are talking about hotel spend, look at it like this:

Let's stay with your 30k point example. If you are staying at a Ritz / Marriott/ you are getting 10 points / dollar. Also, the Ritz card gets you Gold elite, which gets you another 2.5 points a dollar. Finally, the Ritz card gives you 5 points per dollar spent at properties, for a total of 17.5 points for each dollar you spend on site, which means you only have to spend 1714.26 at a hotel to get 30k points. Much more palateable. Also, don't forget that with Hilton, Marriott, and Ritz programs you get the fifth night free when using points for four consecutive nights.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

budugu — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:36:28 GMT

I so wish that it like the csp would earn UR points instead of RITZ

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:55:21 GMT

@msf12555 wrote:
@newUser0 wrote:
Thanks Lexie, But I still not sure on this. If my math is right even if you earn 5x points, you need 30,000 Points for a free night. So, you need to spend $6000 on just hotels alone to get this.

Other, way, if you spend $5000 on your card for ANY purchase on CSP and get he point transferred to Hyatt, you too get a free night. Ofcourse, it will be of less standard than Ritz, not too bad isn't it?
Not quite. That figure would be true if you were only getting points from your credit card. However, since we are talking about hotel spend, look at it like this:

Let's stay with your 30k point example. If you are staying at a Ritz / Marriott/ you are getting 10 points / dollar. Also, the Ritz card gets you Gold elite, which gets you another 2.5 points a dollar. Finally, the Ritz card gives you 5 points per dollar spent at properties, for a total of 17.5 points for each dollar you spend on site, which means you only have to spend 1714.26 at a hotel to get 30k points. Much more palateable. Also, don't forget that with Hilton, Marriott, and Ritz programs you get the fifth night free when using points for four consecutive nights.

Oh!! My bad, I might be confused.

All I knew is this, 5 Points for Ritz and 25% (So 2.5 Points more) = Total 7.5 Points/Dollar.

How, did you get the 10Points/dollar info? And from where will the additional 5 points came in? (Is this additional 5 points valid in marriot too or ONLY ritz)

You really seems more knowledgeble on these things.

I still, wonder how lexie, didn't get my wrong calculation yet

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:55:55 GMT

@budugu wrote:
I so wish that it like the csp would earn UR points instead of RITZ

Same thinking!!

I would apply right now, If they do

@budugu wrote:
I so wish that it like the csp would earn UR points instead of RITZ

Re: Ritz Card info needed

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:05:24 GMT

@dilettante wrote:
It's a great card to have if you use Ritz/Marriotts a lot. It's beneficial for our needs because:

stays at Ritz/Marriott's get 5X points / 2X dining, travel - with all DH's work travels, amassed enough points to gift family with 2 week stay at a new JW overseas as well as other stays for family this year.
generous sign up bonus
generous starting CL and flexible spending capability
Primary CDW
$200 airline incidental credit per calendar year on any airline - used it for cocktails, wifi when flying economy
Lounge Club - unlimited visits, #of guests. But not too many US locations so better for international travel.
Gold Status at Ritz/Marriott beginning at sign up and yearly thereafter w/ $10K spend - I don't stay enough to get Gold but DH does, so I'm primary holder so we can both have elite status.
Executive line CSR - no prompts and gets answered by person immediately, CSR's located in US and are very professional and accommodating
chip & sig, no FTF
unlimited no fee AU's allowed (they just changed the policy - just found out when I ordered a 4th )
Concierge services - I have only called once and they are very eager to help.
received all sorts of offers for special events at the Ritz (there was a great one earlier with a bunch of world class chefs that I wished I could've attended)
And for those desiring a metal card, it is one of the heaviest you will find (27 grams - just as heavy as my Palladium) though after the initial fun of it with waiters/cashiers, it can actually become annoying. They always expedite cards and it has a very elegant and impressive packaging (IMO much better presentation than the Palladium).

Dilettante pretty much gave a very good summary.

This card is good for spend at Marriott as well, though the Marriott Premier may be a better deal if you are staying at Marriotts only.

I go to Vegas pretty often and most of my stays are at Cosmo or Encore, so my stays at Cosmo help rack up a lot of Marriott points since they're part of the Autograph collection. If only Shopdiscover or UR Mall didn't exclude Cosmo from cashback bonuses. Most of the Marriot / Ritz locations that I like are in Asia. The properties in the US don't seem to be as nice. I don't go to EU much so I don't know how it's like over there; last few times I went I stayed at a friend's vacation home.

Re: Ritz Card info needed

newUser0 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:13:07 GMT

Thanks for the info Enharu. After reading a lot your comments about Ritz, I knew that you love this card a lot.

I have stayed in Ritz, Bangalore in India, it was really a great experience. But I some how feel that, Hyatt in Paris/NYC would be my best value for points than Ritz Paris.

Do you know, if Ritz gets any Freebies for AF? I mean, For Marriot I get free stays and also, Chase gives one 1 Elite credit for $3K spend (Unlimited credit can be earned)