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.
@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.
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
@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.
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.
