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

[-Cal-]

nice, I was going to make a thread about this. 

[CreditScholar]

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@jsucool76 wrote:
Little update snippet here.

Just read that marriott/ritz is going to begin offering elite night credits for award stays (awesome), is going to change their points and cash system to be more like other hotel programs, whereas points can be used in conjunction for each night with cash. IE, hotel is $300, or $150 + 10,000 points, and will allow transfers of points between any members - not just spouses for a specific redemption.

Very exciting news on the EQN on award stays and the points + cash.

=]

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These are definitely positive changes.

The major issue that remains is that it is difficult to earn Ritz/Marriott points through CC spend. Given the Premier card only offers 1 point per dollar of general spend, it doesn't really incentivize you to shift spending from a card that earns SPG/Hyatt/UR/SPG/MR/TY points.

Hilton has recognized this issue and therefore their cards earn 3 points per dollar as a result. Outside of actual Ritz/Marriott stays, they need to increase the CC earning rate (either with their existing cards or via a new product) if they want to really up their game.

[jsucool76]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@jsucool76 wrote:
Little update snippet here.

Just read that marriott/ritz is going to begin offering elite night credits for award stays (awesome), is going to change their points and cash system to be more like other hotel programs, whereas points can be used in conjunction for each night with cash. IE, hotel is $300, or $150 + 10,000 points, and will allow transfers of points between any members - not just spouses for a specific redemption.

Very exciting news on the EQN on award stays and the points + cash.

=]

---

These are definitely positive changes.

The major issue that remains is that it is difficult to earn Ritz/Marriott points through CC spend. Given the Premier card only offers 1 point per dollar of general spend, it doesn't really incentivize you to shift spending from a card that earns SPG/Hyatt/UR/SPG/MR/TY points.

Hilton has recognized this issue and therefore their cards earn 3 points per dollar as a result. Outside of actual Ritz/Marriott stays, they need to increase the CC earning rate (either with their existing cards or via a new product) if they want to really up their game.

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To me, the cards aren't so much for earning points, but for the benefits/perks/free night(s)

Since I've gotten the prestige, most of my marriott spend hasn't even gone on my marriott/ritz card. I've been using 4th night free. I'll still keep these cards as long as they benefit me though. Personally, I feel once the earning goes up on the card, so do the redemptions. Hilton earns more points, but even at (what some people consider) the low redemption value of marriott points, they're FAR more valuable than hilton points in most cases. 

[CreditScholar]

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@jsucool76 wrote:

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To me, the cards aren't so much for earning points, but for the benefits/perks/free night(s)

Since I've gotten the prestige, most of my marriott spend hasn't even gone on my marriott/ritz card. I've been using 4th night free. I'll still keep these cards as long as they benefit me though. Personally, I feel once the earning goes up on the card, so do the redemptions. Hilton earns more points, but even at (what some people consider) the low redemption value of marriott points, they're FAR more valuable than hilton points in most cases. 

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How have you found the 4th night free benefit in relation to Marriott properties? I'm guessing all points and status credits post as normal? Also have you found any properties to be unbookable using CWT?

[jsucool76]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@jsucool76 wrote:

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To me, the cards aren't so much for earning points, but for the benefits/perks/free night(s)

Since I've gotten the prestige, most of my marriott spend hasn't even gone on my marriott/ritz card. I've been using 4th night free. I'll still keep these cards as long as they benefit me though. Personally, I feel once the earning goes up on the card, so do the redemptions. Hilton earns more points, but even at (what some people consider) the low redemption value of marriott points, they're FAR more valuable than hilton points in most cases. 

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How have you found the 4th night free benefit in relation to Marriott properties? I'm guessing all points and status credits post as normal? Also have you found any properties to be unbookable using CWT?

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I've only used it 3 times, for a full service Marriott in Koln Germany, for a springhill suites in Orlando, and for a springhill suites in pennsylvania. No problems any of the times. I received full points (10 points/dollar + the 25% gold bonus) and full elite qualifying nights. For my stay in germany they were able to book the "long term stay" rate, which was the exact one I found on the marriott site, for the one in orlando they were able to book the AAA rate, and for my stay in pennsylvania they were able to book the AAA Hot Deals rate. Total I've saved on just those 3 stays is more than the annual fee already, so I'm pretty happy with it. I'm not sure about any brands they're unable to book, but there are some brands where you may choose not to use it. For instance if you have the ritz card, you can't combine that with your ritz upgrade certs. If you don't have the ritz card, the citi prestige offers special benefits at ritz hotels, so you may want to look into those as well and see which one can actually save you money. 

[Anonymous]

Great news!

[Anonymous]

@Jsucool,

Have you been able to get the expiration dates on any of the e-certificates changed/extended?

EDIT: Found the answer

[Anonymous]

Alright, may be booking a night or two using the free Tier 1-4 room credit at Half Moon Bay. Does that just get the base room wherever you are? Is there a way to upgrade that (view-wise) And do I have to book them by phone? The Ritz number on the card? (I know I could call that number and ask, but I'd figure I'll ask here first. Others may end up with the same question.) 

[Anonymous]

I just booked the Ritz Laguna Niguel using my points and I got a basic room. Last time I was at a Marriott they offered me an ocean view room for 20 dollars extra but that wasn't on points. I called Martiott to book the ritz.

[jsucool76]

You can try calling the hotel as they may offer you that option. If you have gold or higher status you may get a free upgrade.